Defensive rebuild awaits new boss

Mason helping to get Spurs on front foot but backline needs an overhaul

- Dan Kilpatrick

TOTTENHAM have taken just a point from Ryan Mason’s two games in charge, but there have been some encouraging signs under the acting head coach.

Spurs scored five times across the draw with Manchester United and Sunday’s dramatic 4-3 defeat at Liverpool, mounting spirited comebacks in each and demonstrating their quality when they play on the front foot.

Heung-min Son, Harry Kane, Richarlison, Ivan Perisic and Pedro Porro have all been more effective going forward under Mason, offering encouragement that Spurs could quickly return to being a top attacking side under a progressive coach.

It will surely be impossible, though, to build a competitive team on such shaky foundations, and Mason has struggled to make any headway with a defence that clearly needs a drastic overhaul in the summer. Spurs have shipped 15 goals in four matches, including a 3-2 defeat by Bournemouth and the 6-1 humiliation at Newcastle under Cristian Stellini.