The View From The Lane: The Athletic FC's Spurs show

Megan Feringa, a women’s football journalist, joins Tottenham analysts Elias Burke and Jack Pitt-Brooke. They assess Spurs Women’s progress before Chelsea and Arsenal, including recruitment, investment and the North London derby. The discussion turns to the men’s search for a first league win, missed chances at Manchester United, Dominic Solanke’s revival and Roberto De Zerbi’s Marbella team-building mission.

Football journalists Jack Pitt-Brooke and James Maw join Kate Mason to dissect Tottenham’s dramatic draw with Manchester United. They examine Spurs’ improved football, wasteful finishing and a surprise midfield selection, plus Rodrigo Bentancur’s controversial red card. Dominic Solanke’s late equalizer, captaincy and potential as a turning point take center stage, alongside Kudus, Udogie and a Marbella bonding trip.

Football journalists Jack Pitt-Brooke and Elias Burke, The Athletic’s Tottenham specialists, assess Spurs’ return from the international break. They discuss defensive fitness concerns, Mathys Tel’s France U21 hat-trick, Lucas Bergvall’s growing confidence and Dejan Kulusevski’s comeback. The focus then turns to Manchester United: formation choices, midfield balance, attacking selections and whether Roberto De Zerbi can build a lasting identity at Spurs.

Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham correspondent for The Evening Standard, and Elias Burke, The Athletic’s Spurs reporter, examine a mounting defensive injury crisis ahead of Manchester United. They discuss Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke’s fitness, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski’s returns, and Roberto De Zerbi’s slow tactical transition. Plus, could Spurs be major victims of Manchester City’s financial breaches, and are they an unfair media target?

Dan Kilpatrick, Evening Standard Spurs correspondent; James Maw, Athletic football writer; and Jack Pitt-Brooke, Athletic journalist, revisit Tottenham’s remarkable 2016/17 campaign. They explore whether Manchester City’s financial breaches altered Spurs’ history, Pochettino’s fairness concerns, Dele Alli and Harry Kane’s brilliance, the iconic win over Chelsea, and the emotional farewell to White Hart Lane.

Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham correspondent for The Standard; Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic’s senior Spurs writer; and James Maw, The Athletic’s Tottenham correspondent, dissect the 3-2 loss to Aston Villa. They explore Spurs’ fading fast starts, missed chances, physical shortcomings and bleak home form. Pressure on Roberto De Zerbi is mounting, while deeper recruitment problems, the lack of a true number nine and lessons from Spurs Women’s success all come under scrutiny.

James Maw, a Tottenham-focused football analyst, and Jack Pitt-Brooke, an Athletic journalist covering Spurs, assess the 3-1 Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool. They explore signs of attacking progress, finishing concerns, Mohammed Kudus’ return and Roberto De Zerbi’s growing project. The pair also preview Aston Villa, Pedro Porro’s importance and whether Spurs should unleash a four-man attack.

James Maw, an Athletic football writer, Elias Burke, an Athletic reporter, and Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham correspondent for The Standard, join Kate Mason to assess Spurs’ goalless draw with Everton. They discuss De Zerbi’s “mental block,” supporter frustration, Mathys Tel’s public criticism, Richarlison’s exclusion, and Lucas Bergvall’s new contract. They also preview a daunting Carabao Cup trip to Liverpool.

Jon Mackenzie, Tifo Football writer, presenter and author of The Spectre of Pep, explores De Zerbi’s space-based possession, pressure-baiting patterns and the challenge of breaking down low blocks. They examine whether Spurs have the right personnel, how set pieces reflect tactical identity, and why the project may need patience. Plus, Pochettino’s enduring Spurs connection and possible lineup changes for Everton.

Tottenham’s first Premier League point sparks debate over defensive progress and whether the attack is finally clicking. The panel examines the lack of goals, Solanke’s fitness, Marmoush’s missed chances, midfield selection and set-piece concerns. They also assess Forest’s disallowed goal and celebrate Spurs Women’s impressive 3-1 opening-day win over West Ham.