Over two-and-a-half-months on from his move from Leeds United, Archie Gray finally made his full competitive Tottenham debut.
Gray was handed a start at right-back in Spurs’ late 2-1 win at Coventry City in the Carabao Cup, with the 18-year-old playing the full 90 minutes in place of Pedro Porro.
Spurs have actually signed Gray to play in midfield over the long-term but their current options are so stacked that he has again had to drop into the back four, like he did for much of his time at Elland Road.
It is likely that will be where he makes the majority of his appearances given former Leeds loanee and the scorer of Spurs’ equaliser Djed Spence was left out of their Europa League squad.
Gray has frequently said he is happy to play anywhere but there is no doubt those around him, including great uncle Eddie, view his best position as midfield.
What Spurs’ local media made of former Leeds star Gray’s full debut
Gray is going to have to make the most of these sort of appearances this season as it is quite clear league minutes will be few and far between.
In both of Spurs’ last two matches, Gray has been an unused substitute and it is hard to see that changing with Yves Bissouma due back from injury soon.
And unfortunately for Gray, it does not sound like he particularly covered himself in glory on his full debut, even if Spurs did manage to comeback and take the win.
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Following back-to-back defeats in the league, including in Sunday’s North London derby against Arsenal, the pressure was on Ange Postecoglou to guide his side back to winning ways.
Postecoglou will be extremely relieved his side were able to save his blushes late on, though Football.London reported it was a tough night for Gray.
They wrote: “A busy game at right-back and Coventry gave him plenty of problems down that flank with their pace including finding that space behind him for the goal. 5.”
Jamie O’Hara blasted Spurs for £40m Gray signing
Former Spurs midfielder and now supporter Jamie O’Hara went into complete meltdown mode over his side’s transfer business in the wake of the defeat to Arsenal.
He completely lamented Spurs for spending so much money on the likes of Dominic Solanke, Wilson Odobert and Gray, all of whom came from so called lesser clubs.
And even though Spurs were able to eventually come out on top last night, perhaps he wasn’t far wrong if that performance is the benchmark for the rest of the season.
He said: “Have we brought in top players? [Dominic] Solanke, one good season at Bournemouth. Hasn’t scored yet. He’s had one good season at Bournemouth and we signed him for £60million.
“Brennan Johnson [is a] good player, a young player, Nottingham Forest, done the business of Forest. We signed him for £50 million. He looks miles off it, miles off it. And then I look at him and go, Archie Gray, good player. He’s from Leeds. It’s a Championship player. And we signed [Wilson] Odobert from Burnley.”