The Tottenham Hotspur boss managed his 100th league game for the club in the win over Middlesbrough, but what do the stats say about his three seasons in charge?
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino managed his 100th Premier League game for Spurs in the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at the weekend.
Considering the landmark, and the fact the North Londoners secured a third-place finish last season – the club’s highest in the Premier League – and are on course to go at least one better this year, it is worth looking at the progress the club have made under the Argentine’s management by looking at each of his three seasons in charge.
2014-15
Pochettino’s first year saw the club continue securing results in a similar way that they had managed under their previous managers, falling just short of Champions League spot.
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Of the 38 league games, Spurs won 19 (50% win ratio), drew 7 (18%) and lost 12 (32%). They scored 58 goals and conceded 53 (a goal difference of +5) meaning that they scored 1.53 goals on average and conceded 1.4.
2015-16
It was the former Southampton manager’s second season where the development of his style of play really became evident, with Tottenham a regular force at the top of the table throughout the year. Many of the games the club were losing in recent years they were turning into draws – with a much stronger defence a vital part of this improvement. Spurs finished the season with the best goal difference in the league and with the joint least goals conceded.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Of the 38 league games, Spurs once again won 19 (50% win ratio), but they drew 13 (34%) and lost just 6 times (16%). They scored 69 goals and conceded 35 (a much healthier GD of +34). That translates as an impressive 1.82 goals scored and 0.92 goals conceded – less than a goal a game.
2016-17
Things have improved even more though this season for Pochettino and Tottenham. It is worth noting that the season is little over half of the way in, so could change, but Tottenham boast a number of records in the division as they occupy second position in the league, namely, fewest defeats and least goals conceded.
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Of the 24 league games so far, Spurs have won 14 (58% win ratio), drawn 8 (33%) and lost only twice (8%), while maintaining an unbeaten record at home – the only team to boast that. They have scored 46 goals and conceded just 16 (already a GD of +30). This means Tottenham on average score 1.92 goals and concede an astonishing low of just 0.66 goals per game.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino speaks with Danny Rose
Looking at these three seasons really hits home the impact Pochettino has had at the club, and the direction the Lilywhites are heading in. Who knows what goal difference Spurs may have at the end of this season, as they continue to improve when it comes to finding the net, while making things even tighter at the back.
Catching Chelsea may be too big an ask this season, but there is hard proof Tottenham could be an even stronger challenger for the Premier League title next season.
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