In the end, this could be a valuable point for Spurs, as they fought back from 1-0 down thanks to Dejan Kulusevski’s equaliser. It keeps them steady in the Europa League league phase, only outside the top eight on goal difference. By the time they play again, six weeks from now at Hoffenheim, they should have key players back.
But no one could call this a convincing performance. Spurs were second best for most of the game and they relied on having to bring on players — Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke — who Ange Postecoglou clearly wanted to rest. This was Spurs’ fifth game in a row without a win since the 4-0 win at Manchester City on November 23. They have not played consistently well in any of those five.
Perhaps things are so tough right now that simply for Spurs to escape with a point and no fresh injuries is a big plus. They will be in a good position when they return to European football in January. But now they must climb back up the league table and reach the League Cup semi-finals. Those are the games that will transform the delicately balance mood at Tottenham. For better or worse.
Have Spurs got a strength-in-depth issue?
All the pre-match attention was on how Spurs would cope defensively without their first-choice players. But what was most striking about this game was that it was Spurs’ front line who looked further away from the required level than anyone.
They had Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson out wide, with Son Heung-min up front, the role he last played in the 1-1 draw with Fulham last month. But it left Spurs struggling for a foothold in the game, unable to press like they want to and unable to retain the ball in the Rangers half. They were reliant on playing on the break. On the rare occasions they were able to get the ball to Werner or Johnson in good positions the attack broke down, whether from a heavy touch, a bad decision, or a lack of options in the box.
Werner has looked low on confidence all season and was hooked at half-time for Dejan Kulusevski. In a press conference after the game, Ange Postecoglou labelled his performance as “not acceptable”.
But even Johnson, on recent evidence, looks weighed down by Spurs’ struggles. He came off after an hour. The problem for Postecoglou is that right now there simply is no one else. Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are out with long-term hamstring injuries. Mikey Moore is recovering from illness. Whatever depth they had in the squad has evaporated away. And their options are looking very thin.
Is the reliance on Kulusevski and Solanke becoming a problem?
It was a relief for Spurs that they were rescued by Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke. But this also points to their broader problems.
Kulusevski came on at half-time and immediately gave them a presence down the right, able to hold onto the ball and carry it forward. He started to change the game but he needed Solanke to arrive on the hour mark for Spurs to really change the momentum. Suddenly they had a presence in the game and a threat to Rangers’ defence.
Kulusevski equalised after good work by Solanke — Spurs would never have got close to a goal without those two on the pitch.
But the issue for Spurs is obvious. Postecoglou clearly wants to manage the load of those two players given the huge games ahead. Spurs go to Southampton on Sunday evening. Then they host Manchester United in the League Cup quarter-final next Thursday. Then Liverpool visit in the league next Sunday.
Both Solanke and Kulusevski will have to start all three games. Clearly, he wanted to give them both a rest tonight for that reason, but he was not able to give them a whole night off. He will have to hope that they hold up through the hardest run of the season.
Do Spurs’ players owe Postecoglou?
The Spurs players are still behind Postecoglou. That has been apparent for some time and was underlined by Cristian Romero’s emotional interview on Sunday evening after the Chelsea defeat when he reiterated his support for the manager through this difficult spell.
The players respect Postecoglou and are committed to his style of play. That has not always been the case with Spurs managers of the recent past.
They must also know that right now most of the public criticism is directed towards Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy. The players themselves are getting off fairly lightly. After an hour it felt as if the players desperately owed Postecoglou a performance. They had started the game so poorly, second-best from the start and second to everything. And with better Rangers finishing they would have been out of sight before Spurs’ subs were introduced.
But the way Spurs dug in and fought back for a valuable point perhaps does point to reserves of willingness within the squad. Previous Spurs squads have hidden behind the manager in difficult times. It would be a shame if this group were to do the same.
What did Postecoglou say?
“He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should,” Postecoglou said in a post-match press conference when asked why he had withdrawn Werner at the break.
“When you’ve got 18-year-olds it’s not acceptable to me,” he said. “I said that to Timo. He’s a senior international, he’s a Germany international. In the moment we’re in right now, it’s not like we’ve got many options. I need everyone to at least be going out there trying to give the best of themselves. His performance in the first half wasn’t acceptable.”
What next for Tottenham?
Sunday, December 15: Southampton (A), Premier League, 7pm GMT, 2pm ET
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(Top photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)