Erik Lamela
Lamela should be handed fresh start under Pochettino 

Last season

Premier League: 6<sup>th

FA Cup: Third round

League Cup: Quarter-final

Top scorer: Emmanuel Adebayor (13)

Summer's work

Mauricio Pochettino is the latest manager to be handed the task of establishing Tottenham Hotspur as a consistent force capable of crashing the top-four party. After the club's haphazard assault on the transfer market last summer caused more disruption than progress, they have opted for a more measured approach this time around. Michel Vorm and Ben Davies represent shrewd, logical acquisitions while the capture of 20-year-old Sporting Lisbon product Eric Dier looks promising for the future.

There has been little indication suggesting the club are ready to make a marquee signing this summer. Interest in Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin appears to have cooled for the time being while the club are reportedly close to signing United States starlet DeAndre Yedlin from Seattle Sounders. Gylfi Sigurdsson is the only notable departure thus far having joined Swansea City in the deal that saw Vorm and Davies arrive.

Manager – Mauricio Pochettino

The Argentine became one of the most revered managers in the Premier League last term as his high octane philosophy at Southampton saw everyone develop a soft spot for the south coast club. Tottenham finished last season wildly unorganised and were devoid of any real defensive cohesion under Tim Sherwood, but Pochettino's presence can address those shortcomings. The 42-year-old has also promised to streamline the club's bloated squad littered with the failed projects of his predecessors.

Key Player – Erik Lamela

Tottenham's unrelenting longing for someone to fill the talismanic role vacated by Gareth Bale last summer saw Erik Lamela unfairly labelled a flop after an injury-ravaged season. The club were so desperate for their record signing to become their new hero that the rigours of adapting to a new country and league were lost in a tide of bloated expectancy and senseless optimism. Quite simply, Lamela wasn't ready. But having enjoyed a productive pre-season where he has thrived under the guidance of his countryman Pochettino, the former Roma forward has the opportunity to redefine himself and become the club's new catalyst to success.

Expectations

In sacking Andre Villas-Boas, Daniel Levy and the Tottenham board demonstrated a worrying lack of conviction in their own decisions, worsened by their goals and aspirations that were simply not befitting of a club in Tottenham's transitional phase. While expectations have not been reined in fully, they have certainly been tempered and early signs suggest Pochettino will be given the time and resources to instil the vision that he impressed with on the south coast. Unfortunately for Spurs, these promises of patience and faith... we've heard them all before.

Prediction

If Pochettino is to lead the club back into contention for a top-four finish, next season is likely to come too soon. Seventh.

Tottenham Hotspur FC Premier League