1. Give us your assessment of Tottenham’s season. Have the club progressed under the new manager?
We began to progress really nicely, however we have gone off the boil of late – I think that’s more just the players winding down at the end of the season than anything, though. There’s been plenty of games where Pochettino’s tactics have worked very well, e.g. 5-3 v Chelsea and 2-1 v Arsenal, but we need to have a plan B against the so-called ‘smaller’ teams that sit back as the high pressing doesn’t work so well against them. Finding Harry Kane has to the biggest positive of the season, with the Europa League campaign the most negative- I hope we take it more seriously next time.
2. How is Mauricio Pochettino getting on? Is he the man to lead Spurs back to the top of English football?
Pochettino is definitely the man to lead us forward- I think another change of manager would be ludicrous. We need some stability and he is the man to give us this. However, I will say that he is fortunate that the season is coming to a close as we have looked tired and disinterested in recent weeks, and it hasn’t been up to standard.
3. How do you view Everton?
Everton are a great club and Goodison Park is not a stadium that Spurs traditionally perform well at. I have a lot of respect for Everton and the way they play- their passing football is exceptional at times. There have been times this season when I have watched them, though, and they’ve looked lacklustre, and the passing was slow and ponderous- it almost looked like Roberto Martinez had run out of ideas. Having said that, I think Everton have made the right choice in sticking with the manager, and they’ll be back in contention for Europe next season.
4. What do you make our season so far?
It’s clear to see for everyone that Everton’s season has been miles and miles below par, being troubled by the relegation zone for such a large proportion of the season is unacceptable for a club with so many talented players. They’ve worked themselves out of it well now, and it’ll only improve next season I imagine.
5. How highly do you rate Roberto Martinez?
Martinez is a good manager- he worked wonders at Wigan and during his first season at Everton, and his style of play is admirable. He was shown up at times this season I feel, and maybe similar to Pochettino at Spurs, he needs a plan B for when teams ‘park the bus’. I’m glad Everton have stuck with him and it’s starting to pay-off, slowly, already – performances are improving!
6. What do you make of Aaron Lennon’s performances in a blue shirt? Would you like to see the on loan star return to White Hart Lane this summer?
He’s been getting a lot more playing time at Everton than he was at Spurs, but he still has talent without a doubt. Martinez seems to be working well with him and has helped him regain confidence. I want him to return, yes, but I think he would down the pecking order – below Chadli, Lamela and Townsend. It might be better for his career if he stayed with Everton.
7. Which 3 Everton players would you take to White Hart Lane given the chance?
Romelu Lukaku, without a doubt. We need a striker so badly, despite the emergence of Harry Kane. Adebayor and Soldado are our only two other options. Seamus Coleman, he pips Leighton Baines. Kyle Walker has been out injured for so long and Kyle Naughton has departed. I’m sick of centre backs playing out on the right so I’d definitely take Coleman. Baines is good, but he is four years older than Coleman and Danny Rose has had a very good season at left-back for us. Finally, Ross Barkley – he’s 21 and despite not living up to the 13/14 season this time around, the potential for him to grow into a world-class player is still there. Pochettino is good with youth so maybe he could help his development!
8. Which Spurs players should Everton be wary of on Sunday?
It’s probably the obvious answer but Harry Kane. He may have been out of form recently, but this is probably the reason we’ve been out of form too. If you can stop Kane then you’re half way to winning the game. Keep an eye out for Nacer Chadli, too- an underrated player!
9. And who will Tottenham fans fear in a blue shirt?
Romelu Lukaku. We never deal well with strikers such as him, we can’t let him bully our two centre-backs.
10. Likely Spurs team and score prediction?
We are likely to play a similar team to the one that beat Hull 2-0 at White Hart Lane. Lloris (hopefully Friedel gets on to say his farewells and become the oldest player to play in the Premier League), Dier, Vertonghen, Chiriches, Rose, Mason, Bentaleb, Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela and Kane.
Thanks to Jonny for his time and effort. You can find him on Twitter at @jonjoclark14
