Five questions for Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino during the international break

Food for thought: Pochettino's side have collected just three points this season
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Sam Long5 September 2015

Mauricio Pochettino refused to put too much emphasis on the fact that Tottenham are yet to win a game in the Premier League this season after the recent 0-0 draw against Everton at White Hart Lane.

Perhaps such a stance was relevant after one or two fixtures, but the north Londoners are one of just five sides that failed to get off the mark prior to the international break, and pressure has started to build on the Argentine.

Champions League football remains the aim yet Spurs are already five points adrift of the pack.

The transfer window cannot be described as anything other than a mixed bag. A portion of dead wood was shifted, but certain peripheral figures stayed put. On the same note pivotal players were retained, but key targets were missed.

Pochettino has much to ponder before Spurs travel to the Stadium Light to face Sunderland in eight days' time. What should be at the forefront of the 43-year-old's thoughts?

Does Harry Kane need a rest?

The short answer is yes. The 22-year-old forward has looked jaded at times in the early stages of the campaign but, depressingly, he has had to play on.

Pochettino has been unable to afford the England international an extended break as he has so few options at his disposal. Kane is at risk of burn out, yet continues to run tirelessly for his side.

But there have been hints that the striker's goal drought has started to play on his mind from the kick out at Gareth Barry to a spurned one-on-one situation with Tim Howard.

Managing Kane's situation appears to be simple; keep him on the pitch and the goals will come. Indeed they will but Spurs need the forward to be firing on all cylinders rather than cobbling together performances.

He is central to so much of what the side does well and Pochettino must balance the desire to help Kane end his scarce return in front of goal with the forward's fitness needs. If a mistake is made with Kane now, Spurs could pay the price during the run in.

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Are Clinton Njie and Son Heung-min ready for their Premier League debuts?

The two men that have been brought in to help ease the goalscoring burden on Kane are relatively unknown quantities for the majority of fans.

But - after a move for Saido Berhaino failed and Emmanuel Adebayor still out in the cold - they represent the sum of Tottenham's options.

Njie arrived from Lyon on a five-year contract in mid August but has failed to make the matchday squad against both Leicester City and Everton.

The Frenchman can play in a variety of roles but is clearly yet to convince Pochettino that he is capable of taking the plunge. The 22-year-old is fit so should the trip to Wearside be the moment he is given his chance? The longer his absence goes on, the bigger an issue it will become.

Son, meanwhile, has his shooting boots well and truly on. The 23-year-old scored a hat trick as South Korea dispatched Laos earlier in the week which is likely to have excited the Tottenham faithful ahead of his first appearance for the club.

The international break will mean that neither will have had the benefit of featuring alongside their new teammates regularly, or acclimatising to their surroundings, but Dick Advocaat's side have the worst defensive record in the division and could offer either of the pair an opportunity to get off to a dream start.

Son Heung-min

Should a switch away from a 4-2-3-1 formation be considered?

Pochettino's preferred system is built on a high intensity, pressing game. He has used the formation throughout his career in England to great effect and, in truth, is unlikely to stray too far from what he regards as the ideal way to set his team up.

However, the inability to shift to a different style of play can occasionally be the side's undoing. It would be hugely beneficial to explore a new system not only to see out a game but also to ensure that Spurs are not second guessed by their opponents.

Opposition managers and coaches know precisely how Tottenham will approach a game and a 'Plan B' would be a welcome new dimension.

Of course, a lack of striker means that Kane is often the lone forward. No one else in Tottenham's squad can fulfill the role as well as the Englishman and he is crucial to their entire unit, so it makes sense to play to such strengths.

But the prospect of a front three or a move away from two defensive minded central midfielders does not deserve to be ruled out entirely. The Europa League campaign could prove to be an ideal opportunity to rotate and experiment

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Does the Europa League deserve to be taken seriously?

Europe's secondary competition is more commonly seen as a poisoned chalice than the promised land.

The convoluted group stage is not easy to navigate for any side and particularity one that will be required to maintain a top-four challenge throughout.

But, with the prize of a place in the Champions League for the winner, plus a healthy does of competition waiting in the knock-out rounds, Spurs should not wash their hands of the competition.

After all, it was impressive performances in the Europa League that convinced Pochettino that Kane was ready to make the step up.

The tournament will continue to provide fringe players with a chance to stake their claim and it is vital Spurs get off to a quick start as they face Arsenal and Chelsea immediately after two of their latter group games, which is where the majority of Pochettino's focus is likely to lie.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Can the team's mentality be improved?

A winning mentality cannot be taught, as the saying goes, but Pochettino definitely needs to do something to instill more resilience within his squad.

The squandering of two leads against Stoke and Leicester City has changed the entire outlook of Spurs' season so far. Had maximum points been claimed on both of those occasions the north Londoners would be sitting pretty on the same points as Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

But they weren't and doubts continue in regards to the side's ability to see out games. The feeling inside White Hart Lane once Stoke had scored their first goal was palpable and responsibility falls on Pochettino - and his players - to shores things up.

If questions are constantly posed about the steeliness of Spurs they will struggle to progress.

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