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5 things Tottenham learned in their 4-1 over Roma

By Rucker Haringey

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 25: The starting line-up for the Tottenham Hotspurs poses for a team photo prior to the game against A.C. Roma of the International Champions Cup 2018 match at SDCCU Stadium on July 25, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 25: The starting line-up for the Tottenham Hotspurs poses for a team photo prior to the game against A.C. Roma of the International Champions Cup 2018 match at SDCCU Stadium on July 25, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
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PLAYA DEL REY, CA – JULY 23: Mauricio Pochettino manager of Tottenham Hotspur FC talks with fan and retired NBA player Steve Nash during practice at Loyola Marymount University on July 23, 2018 in Playa del Rey, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
PLAYA DEL REY, CA – JULY 23: Mauricio Pochettino manager of Tottenham Hotspur FC talks with fan and retired NBA player Steve Nash during practice at Loyola Marymount University on July 23, 2018 in Playa del Rey, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) /

1. A tactical shift is coming

Savvy Spurs supporters have noticed that Pochettino always likes to tweak his tactics in the offseason. If you take a close look at the club’s transfer targets this summer, it’s easy to see a different midfield vision. Specifically, Tottenham look to be headed to a 4-3-3 formation.

They didn’t play this way exclusively against Roma, but it was the predominant formation. That’s one of the reasons Eriksen was playing in a deeper role. It’s easier to deploy the Dane in a midfield three than a double-pivot due to his physical limitations.

It also gave the Spurs’ attack more width than we saw last season. Pochettino likes his fullbacks to come up and attack and Kyle Walker-Peters and Serge Aurier both did that against Roma. Lucas and Lamela also were able to get down the wing and ping dangerous crosses into the box. The scary thing is that could make Harry Kane even more dangerous as a goal scorer next season.

Next. Aurier may take Trippier's spot. dark

If Tottenham are really going to make this switch, they still need to add another midfielder or two in the transfer window. Adding one more wide attacker would also be a wise move. The clock is ticking on Daniel Levy’s ability to give Pochettino want he wants and needs. Expect Spurs to be very active as the transfer window winds down. They need more players to implement Pochettino’s preferred style and tactics.

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