TOTTENHAM vs. QPR

4-0
Sunday 24th August 2014

On an early weekend of big clashes, this London derby had the added spice of being Harry Redknapp's return to White Hart Lane, facing up against a Spurs team that barely resembles the one he left behind in 2012. His QPR side, experimenting with a new system introduced largely by Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle, were taught a lesson at the hands of a rampant Tottenham front four. 

There's plenty for Harry to tighten up at Loftus Road and possibly a few faces to add before next week's fixture against Sunderland. Spurs, meanwhile, can go home happy that the Pochettino regime has started with two victories that see them take the top spot in the Premier league overnight. 

THE SYSTEMS

Spurs lined up in a straightforward 4-2-3-1, allowing the three attacking players behind Adebayor to switch positions and roam freely around the attacking third. This caused QPR's new three man back line a host of problems as the wing-back pairing of Traore and Isla were perpetually caught between not committing enough to attacks, and being too far forward when the away team lost possession, as they did with unerring frequency in the middle of the park. 

With the physical presence of Adebayor enough to give even the best centre backs nightmares, Spurs probed constantly in behind the wing backs and delivered their first warning within ten minutes. With the lively Danny Rose tying up Isla, and Eriksen darting into the box, space opened up for Nabil Bentaleb to pick out the Togolese striker, who headed narrowly over the bar from eight yards. This warning went unheeded, though, as, only a few minutes later, Spurs took the lead. With Dunne sucked towards Adebayor as the ball came across, and Traore nowhere to be seen, Chadli had time and space in the box to finish expertly from a tight angle. 

QPR, meanwhile, couldn't get moving and repeatedly threw away possession around the half way line. The Spurs holding partnership of Bentaleb and Capoue did their jobs to the letter, allowing the Rs to keep the ball up to half way, and then squeezing them into corridors of white shirts, with the help of the retreating Eriksen, Lamela and Chadli. New signing Leroy Fer was a spectator throughout the first half and the only chance fell to to Matty Phillips, who blazed over from ten yards out. Spurs looked like scoring every time they got the ball; the pace of their front four was too much for the ill positioned QPR defence. Rio Ferdinand did everything he could to marshal Dunne and Caulker, and was often there to clean up behind them, but QPR got deeper and deeper and ended up defending on their own goal line for the latter part of the first period. Meanwhile the Spurs midfield continued to cut off all the Rs passing angles, forcing them to play long balls which were easily dealt with by Vertonghen and Kaboul. 

After the break Redknapp switched to a back four, and while Ferdinand and Caulker looked far more comfortable, Barton, Mutch and Fer were no more able to create anything of note. They pressed higher up and reduced Spurs' attacks to a series of long balls. Moussa Dembele replaced Bentaleb to freshen up the Spurs midfield and maintain their record of consistently winning almost every 50/50 ball that came their way. QPR were still, though, susceptible to the fast break, and Adebayor capped the win with a smart finish long after the game had ended as a contest. 

THE MOMENT

It's sad to see, but one of England's best defenders is on his last legs. Rio Ferdinand's mind and mouth will be of vital importance to QPR this year, especially if they continue to force the five man back line, but his pace disappeared long ago. Nine times out of ten when the camera pans to Ferdinand you will see him shouting instructions, pointing and pulling and bellowing teammates into position, but it seems his body has caught up with him as he was the culprit for James Chester's headed goal for Hull last week and again struggled against the likes of Lamela, Eriksen and Adebayor. 

He was exposed in the middle of the first half as he stepped up to try and steal the ball from Lamela - the Argentine was gone before he got close to the ball and Rio was booked for the resulting foul. Eriksen smashed the freekick against the crossbar while Ferdinand reflected on the fact that he is operating now exclusively as a defensive general. Organiser and leader yes, but Rio is no longer the heartbeat of the back line he was ten years ago. 

UNSUNG HERO

Behind every swashbuckling front line there has to be a safety net. Bayern Munich can risk losing the ball because they know Bastian Schweinsteiger will win it back, for example. Today Spurs were no different as Etienne Capoue gave them the perfect platform on which to build. 

Despite being out for long periods of last season, Spurs fans warmed immediately to Capoue and today he showed them why. A perfect blend of physicality, fearless tackling, technique, poise and a great eye for a pass, he won and recycled possession continuously and effortlessly all game long. If he keeps this level up and stays free of injury, Capoue will soon be regarded as being as important for Spurs as Yaya Toure is for City. 

By Robbie Brown

NEXT TIME

The first true six pointer of the season takes place tomorrow night at the Etihad as champions Man City take on Liverpool in what promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between two of the league's best. Stay tuned. 

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