Tottenham Hotspur were much improved last season but Mauricio Pochettino, the Spurs manager, will almost certainly look back at their 13 draws during the 2015/16 Premier League campaign with a dash of regret.
Had Spurs turned just a few more of those one-point hauls into three they would have pushed Leicester City much closer in the race for the title.
While it is a matter of conjecture, the primary reason for this is a lack of strength in depth at White Hart Lane, especially in the striker department.
Harry Kane was outstanding, scoring 25 Premier League goals in 38 matches, but Pochettino was unable to freshen up his attack as often as he needed to win tight matches.
While he deployed Son Heung-min or Nacer Chadli up top on occasions, Clinton N’Jie, the rookie striker, was the Argentinian’s only natural understudy to Kane. This meant the England forward was afforded little rest or handed a partner when it may have helped.
Compared with the clubs around them in the table, Spurs had next to no variety (see table below).
The addition of at least two proven goalscorers this summer would ease the load on Kane and provide Pochettino better options from the bench.
Clubs' Premier League striker options 2015/16
| First-choice striker | Mins played | Rotation striker | Mins played | |
| Spurs | Kane | 3370 | N'Jie | 185 |
| Leicester | Vardy | 3140 | Ulloa | 970 |
| Arsenal | Giroud | 2431 | Welbeck | 578 |
| Man City | Aguero | 2375 | Bony | 1224 |
It could be argued that an over-dependence on his preferred starting XI also cost Pochettino vital points.
Often reluctant to make early changes and with players tiring late on in matches, Spurs conceded 12 goals in total after 75 minutes in matches, a number exceeded only by eight other PL clubs.
The effect of those particular concessions was severe. Technically, 11 points were dropped from winning positions in the final 15 minutes.
Spurs have an excellent team but to kick on in 2016/17 beefing up the squad will create competition for places.
Victor Wanyama’s arrival will spice up the battle in central midfield, but with attacking midfielders who like to drift inside and leave the club’s full-backs to provide width, a winger who can stretch play and go on the outside of markers would be a worthwhile acquisition.
On paper, Spurs’ first nine matches are not massively daunting. They collected six wins and two draws from the corresponding fixtures in 2015/16.
A similar record in the coming campaign would get them off to a handy start especially in light of the fixtures that follow.
Spurs’ credentials will be more sternly tested between 29 October and 26 November, when Pochettino’s men face Leicester City, Arsenal, West Ham United and Chelsea.
Download Spurs' 2016/17 Premier League fixtures to your digital calendar.