Watford vs Tottenham: Mauricio Pochettino has defensive questions to ponder as Watford finally find harmony
Tottenham took the lead in the second half but Watford battled back and snatched all three points
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Your support makes all the difference.Just as things were looking rosy for Tottenham, they go back to their old ways as they failed to hold onto their lead against Watford.
Troy Deeney and Craig Cathcart's goals from set-pieces cancelled out Abdoulaye Doucoure's own goal, with Mauricio Pochettino's winning start to the season coming to an abrupt halt.
Spurs had the quality in the first half but were no match for Watford's tenacious play after the break as the Hornets made it four wins from four.
Here are five things we learned from Vicarage Road:
1. Pochettino faces decisions in defence
There are worse problems to have than wondering which of your players fit into a winning system, but for Pochettino, who usually likes to keep things fresh at the back, you sense he is still working out what works best.
Spurs have gone from a back four, to a back three, four and then three again. Danny Rose was the surprise inclusion at Old Traford but was reduced to the bench in place of Ben Davies, who joined Davinson Sanchez at the back against Watford.
Through their dominance and superb individuals at the back, Tottenham were rarely made to work too hard by Watford’s forwards in the first half, but this changed after the break. Watford came out from the break with far more intent and it became apparent that Spurs were having trouble defending crosses.
Pochettino was often accused last season of being too slow to adapt to different challenges, whether during matches or when preparing for differing oppositions. However, this season he seems to be willing to adapt to different teams ahead of the game - but you feel there’s more to be done in-match.
Watford’s narrow formation meant that they would inevitably find little joy in the wings, and when they tried to work the ball through the middle brick walls by the names of Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Sanchez would block their path. Does Pochettino stick or twist? Or will his tweaks continue to keep opposing managers guessing?
2. Harmonious Vicarage Road getting the best out of Watford
Watford are on their fourth manager since achieving promotion in 2015, but things under Gracia finally seem settled and harmonious. The Spaniard has got the best out of his side since his arrival in January and has them working exceptionally hard for each other; the work-rate they were getting though against Tottenham was very commendable.
Part of Gracia’s success in north London has been to get the best out of Roberto Pereyra, who had scored three goals in three games before Sunday afternoon. The Argentine winger attributes his up-turn in form down to the manager and said he is getting the best out of the side.
“Since he came here, Javi has trusted me a lot and this very important for me. It is no coincidence that things have gone well for me while he has been here,” Pereyra said in the match-day programme.
Of course, there is only so long that you can outrun opponents and eventually their efforts gave way to Tottenham, but this Watford team will certainly not be another side which drifts around midtable soaking it all in after this strong start. There is a sense that, after four wins from four, this Watford side and its manager can provide fans a memorable and settled season in the Premier League.
Spurs started the second half with the same intensity, but Watford were able to ride out the storm and turn the tide in their favour. There was a telling change in the mood amongst the players and fans at Vicarage Road when Watford began to command the upper hand in the match. The game was heading for only one result once Watford found a way to get at Tottenham through set pieces and their impressive win was richly deserved.
3. Is it time to take Tottenham seriously?
Sir Alex Ferguson coined the phrase: ‘lads, it’s only Tottenham’ which has tormented Spurs during their ten years without a trophy, however it might be time to start taking this side seriously
Looking through their team, there are very few sides in the Premier League that will boast a better starting line-up, in terms of individual ability. This is nothing new and has been the case for the last couple of seasons, however there seems to be a completely different mentality amongst this group of players
The mind-set is totally different, less Spurs-y if you will. There is more talk of achievement and reward coming from the players and management rather than the usual ‘development’ or ‘progress’ excuses, and this is translating on the pitch.
However, what had been shown in the opening three games - the determination, game management and intelligence to see out a result - was completely absent in the second half against Watford.
Until Spurs can iron out their niggling habit of letting things slip, their long wait for a trophy may last just a little bit longer.
4. Will Hughes must wait a little longer for England call
Gareth Southgate said that young English players will have to work hard for their England caps and force their way into the England squad after a successful summer. One young player who may have been keeping a close eye on his phone last week could have been Will Hughes.
The 23-year-old deemed a call up unlikely but retains hope for the future and admits there is room in Southgate’s squad for a player like him. England seem to have an over-abundance of midfielders that want to play in attacking roles rather than the traditional central midfield position. Just look at Jordan Henderson manning a one-person midfield in Russia
After a good start to the season with Watford, Hughes had a chance to show against a big side that he can be the player that controls the game from a deeper area of the pitch as well as being the all-action runner he is.
As the game progressed he saw less and less of the ball as the match passed him by from a deep position. When he edged a little further up the pitch things began to go his way. His pace over a short distance and aggressive running won his side a free kick, which lead to their equaliser and his play was rewarded.
5. Lucas gives Tottenham extra attacking edge
After his man-of-the match performance against Manchester United in Tottenham’s 3-0 win last time out, the pressure was on Lucas Moura to prove that his performance, where he finally showed why Spurs signed him, was not a one-time affair.
Watford presented a very different test for the Brazilian, who had to work his way through a tighter defence than Jose Mourinho’s surprisingly open side.
Spurs were always looking to play him in behind the defence, and while this was not always successful, it forced the Watford defence deeper and deeper when Spurs picked up the ball and allowed more space for Kane when he dropped off and Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli to work in.
He was eventually got his reward for his tireless play and helped break the deadlock when his lively hassling in the box set him up to cross into the middle - a pass that hit Doucoure and went into his own net.
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