Mauricio Pochettino has provided his regular update before every game, and he has targeting one specific area for improvement that he will look for over the next couple of games.
Spurs have struggled for goals this side of the October international break, and this has been highlighted in a recent run of results. This inability to put the ball in the opposition net has hindered the progress of Spurs in the last month, having not won since beating Manchester City on October 2.
In the last five games in all competitions, Spurs have netted just three times. They have picked up four draws and one loss in that run, maintaining their unbeaten record in the Premier League, and are the only side to boast this record. However, the more worrying thing for Mauricio Pochettino is that just one of those goals have come from open play. The other two have been converted by Vincent Janssen from the penalty spot in games against Liverpool in the EFL Cup and Leicester last Saturday.
In light of this poor goalscoring record in the last few games, speaking to Spurs TV, Pochettino said that his side need to be more clinical.
“We are focused on trying to score more. We are a team that creates a lot of chances and we need to be more clinical. It is important for the next two games that we have ahead”
The next two games that Pochettino refers to are the matches against Bayer Leverkusen and North London rivals Arsenal. The first, on Wednesday, could prove to have serious implications on how the Champions League group finishes. If Spurs want to finish in top spot, three points against Leverkusen at Wembley is a must.
Getting shots off is not the problem for Spurs at the moment or creating chances. Spurs took 22 shots against Leicester at White Hart Lane, 16 shots in the goalless draw against Bournemouth and 20 shots in the 1-1 draw away at West Brom. So, Mauricio Pochettino is absolutely right. Spurs need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to see success not only in the next couple of games, but for the rest of the season.
