Since the win at the Etihad there has been 2 frustrating performances for Tottenham Hotspur, with 2 back to back draws at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Roma and Fulham respectively.
The 2-2 draw against Roma saw plenty of chances at both ends and plenty of ‘almost’ moments. Pedro Porro hit the crossbar with a free kick, Dominic Solanke hit the woodwork a few times as well but it was ultimately a frustrating performance. Heung-Min Son scored a penalty inside the opening 7 minutes, but Roma equalised after a free kick from Paulo Dybala was headed in by Evan Ndicka. Brennan Johnson sweeped us ahead later on in the first half after good work from Dejan Kulusevski, but Mats Hummels denied us from taking all 3 points at the death, firing home from close range after Yves Bissouma played the entire Roma team onside. It was a frustrating moment as Bissouma, although the intent was to cover the near post, surely did not need to play everybody onside in doing so and should get closer to the ball whilst remaining between the ball and the near post position ready to block if necessary.
Yesterday’s draw against Fulham was a more timid, dull encounter, and it was not helped by Dominic Solanke falling ill and being sent home, unable to play. This meant Son playing up top against a physical, aggressive Fulham back line. Timo Werner came into the starting lineup on the left wing, and arguably was our best attacker during the game, at least trying to take on the man and also assisting Brennan Johnson in the second half, cutting inside and dinking a cross to the back post. Brennan Johnson made it 10 Tottenham goals for the season, which is already double his tally for us last season. It appears Brennan has mastered the art of back-post finishes, but he does not impact the game much outside of the goals. It is rare that Johnson beats his man and gives us something to be excited about, and if he does not score in a game, you question his contribution. Hopefully Brennan can find a way to add more to his game, whether that is further defensive contribution as he leaves Pedro Porro exposed defensively at times, or by chipping in with more assists and helping us create more chances.
The full backs are becoming a bit of an issue as well. Pedro Porro has been a shadow of himself these past few weeks and was beaten time and time again by Reiss Nelson yesterday. Nelson made Porro look like a League 1 player. Djed Spence was fit and available to play and on the bench, so it made no sense how Djed got 0 minutes despite Porro looking knackered. Another player who could have made an impact is young striker Will Lankshear. He only got 2 minutes off the bench as we played 95 minutes without a striker on the pitch. Surely as it was not working with Son up top, after 65 minutes you think to change things and bring on the only recognised striker we had available? He scored 25 goals in 26 youth appearances last season so he clearly knows where the goal is, and he scored away at Galatasaray in the Europa League. Whilst Ange had no Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky Van De Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, Wilson Odobert, Mikey Moore and Richarlison, as well as Dominic Solanke being ill and Dejan Kulusevski unfit to start, surely giving Djed Spence, Will Lankshear or even Lucas Bergvall more minutes than he got could have been beneficial and helped change the narrative of the game. We needed a hero from somewhere and it could have been one of those three.
On a positive note, Fraser Forster, Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies have all played well in both games. Forster has surely eased some concerns surrounding his shot-stopping ability, Dragusin has surely eased some concerns over his passing ability, and Ben Davies is just ever present, Mr Reliable, there when we need him. That is an important quality in football and we are lucky to have Davies in the squad and I never understand the hate he gets from some fans.
Also we have learnt our FA Cup Third Round opponents in the form of National League Tamworth away. On paper, we should not have to worry about progressing but knowing Tottenham we will find a way to struggle. We have a tough week ahead now though, Bournemouth away and Chelsea at home. Let’s hope we get at least Romero and Solanke back…