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‘From now on’; Tottenham man explains strategy change after West Ham failure

Toby Alderweireld says there will be changes at Tottenham Hotspur in the wake of the 3-3 draw with West Ham United last week.

Tottenham Hotspur’s draw with West Ham United was gutting for the team. They’d played wonderfully for 80 minutes, tearing the Hammers to shreds and leading 3-0.

Going forward, Spurs looked like absolute world-beaters. Then the comeback happened. West Ham hit back with two goals in four minutes to make it 3-2 going into stoppage time.

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Premier League
(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Manuel Lanzini then scored a screamer with the last kick of the game to split the points.

Now a week-and-a-half later, journalists asked Spurs’ defender Toby Alderweireld how they’ll change from the game. His answer suggests that the team know exactly what to do so it doesn’t happen again.

“Of course if you concede three goals you think ‘the defence this, the defence that’,” he said, . “I think it’s more than that and more how you manage, as a team, the last 15 minutes so it won’t happen again.

“The last game was a good example as we didn’t create that much like against West Ham but I do think we were more solid as a team. That’s the way we have to go from now on.”

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We’re getting a slightly more cautious Spurs, then, going forward. Cautious in how they see games out, anyway. That can only be a good thing.

If this side wants to win things and compete at the top, they need to know how to manage winning positions. There’s a reason, after all, that – it’s because they know how to handle in-game situations.

Fortunately, Jose Mourinho is about as good as it gets when it comes to ‘champion mentality’. He got a fantastic example to his players of how important it is, too, and we really could see a better Tottenham going forward.