Troy Deeney has named two Tottenham stars in his Premier League Team of the Week, including one player who has come in for plenty of criticism during the first couple of months of the season.

Spurs are showing clear signs that they have now turned a corner and have looked much more like a Roberto De Zerbi team over recent weeks.

They have managed 10 points from their last 12 on offer, a run which includes away trips to Man United and Chelsea.

While Tottenham have now started scoring goals, their improved form has been built on the back of an excellent defensive record, with the Lilywhites hardly conceding chances to the opposition.

In fact, Spurs have conceded just two goals in their last four league matches, with their new-look defensive line starting to click.

Troy Deeney says Jan Paul van Hecke is growing into Tottenham role

Jan Paul van Hecke has come in for some scathing criticism from pundits this season, partly down to his struggles in defending one-v-one when he is pulled into wide areas.

Many have suggested that Spurs made a huge mistake by swapping Luka Vuskovic for the Dutchman, but the former Brighton defender is now silencing his critics.

In fact, Van Hecke set a new record himself, completing the most passes in a single Premier League match by a Spurs player with 143.

Not only is Van Hecke now looking a lot more solid defensively, but he also made a vital contribution at the other end of the pitch, scoring the home side’s second goal in the 73rd minute.

The 26-year-old has done enough to get into Troy Deene’ys Team of the Week, with the former Watford man praising the Spurs man for the impact he is now having after a difficult start to life in North London.

Deeny told BBC Sport: “ Van Hecke got a goal and he’s really growing into his role at Spurs. I still think he was a little bit overpriced, but all in all he’s had a solid start, coming up with a few goals. Micky van de Ven next to him gives him confidence that he can go and be really aggressive, because Van de Ven will cover him with his pace.”

Deeney impressed by how Spurs youngster has responded to pressure

Tottenham’s other goalscorer against Palace, Archie Gray, also finds a place in Deeney’s Team of the Week.

The 20-year-old peeled off at the back post to plant a header into the back of he net on 25 minutes, and Deeney is pleased to see the Leeds academy graduate has done his talking on the pitch after coming under flak earlier in the season.

The 38-year-old wrote about the Spurs midfielder, who shone at full-back again on Saturday: “I’m going with a fully north London back four. Gray scored and defended really well against Crystal Palace. He was under a lot of pressure when Tottenham were in bad form and got a lot of stick, but now Spurs are starting to pick up, I’m going to give him a bit of credit.”