The Kane and Alderweireld Effect

Spurs’ form without the two starts has significantly dropped, especially the centre half, after lacklustre displays against Leverkusen, Bournemouth, Leicester and a couple of others not being the results they would want. At the back, mistakes have been increased in numbers, and going forward, the number of goals has not been the same without their hit man. The holder of the Golden Boot, Harry Kane was gladly re-introduced to the side against Arsenal, albeit not for the whole game. However Toby Alderweireld still wasn't ready for the first North London derby of the season.

Against Leverkusen on Wednesday, the side were completely flat, slow, and sloppy. The best attacking outlet ended up being Kyle Walker which is awful seeming the talent they still have without Kane. Son has stopped the form that saw him win the EPL player of the month, and would need to prove himself again now he's gone off the boil. Dele Alli shows glimpses of the player he can be but not enough recently and Kane brings the best out in him.

Christian Eriksen is a class player and you can tell how good he is with the passes he can pick out and the way he holds the ball. I'm afraid to say it being a Tottenham fan, but Moussa Sissoko may be the biggest waste of money of a spurs player since Soldado, he hasn't stood out at all since signing and against Leverkusen he was the worst player on the pitch. I do like Vincent Janssen, he always puts the work in, he puts himself about and holds it up well to bring others into play, but he hasn't scored in open play yet and once he does he might start to do better but he needs that to get going.

Kane scored 25 goals in the league last season, and Son is their top scorer so far this term after 11 games, with just 4. Kane will need to continue that scoring form of last season, to help this Spurs team to success.

The injury to Moussa Dembele could’ve been a big problem, but thankfully he was fine to play Arsenal. Dembele is the player that turns defence into attack so quickly and always seems to keep the ball, now if they want to challenge for the title, they will need all three of them fit for the rest of the season. Lamela has missed a couple of games through illness and they've missed him as well. His form has got a lot better in the last two years, and let's face it he's a lot better than Sissoko.

The defence may not be conceding a lot of goals, but they could have easily lost 3-0 on Wednesday, Lloris has pulled off some wonder saves recently and with Alderweireld not there, it seems to go wrong. The Belgian was arguably the best defender in the league last season, and brings out the best in the players around him. He also gives Dier the opportunity to play in midfield, which is much better for him at the moment. He gives the full backs license to go forward knowing that Dier will sit and make a back three. In my opinion he is the most important player in this side.

After the derby they are still unbeaten and will be looking forward to having all their key men back after the international break, although Alli has picked up a knock. They will just be hoping they don’t get any more injuries over the international period.