Spurs Gut Reaction Rant: Draw against Monaco

Spurs score early, concede late for a 1-1 draw and a loss of two points.

To begin this game, Mauricio Pochettino would be putting out a strong side for his starting eleven. The Argentine coach decided to make only three changes from their home win over Manchester City. Two involved their fullbacks and one had to be made because of Heung-Min Son’s injury. With Kyle Walker the starting right-back, and Kieran Trippier signed as Walker’s backup, this was an obvious move to make against Monaco in the Europa League. However, on the opposite side, Danny Rose seems to be Ben Davies’ backup despite being the starting left-back all of last season in the Premier League and generally, being the better option to play.

If there’s one thing that helps benefit Tottenham and Mauricio Pochettino with regards to the left-back position. It’s the fact that both Ben Davies and Danny Rose can be starters against certain teams based on matchups. If Spurs need more defensive help in their backline then Ben Davies is the perfect option. If Spurs need another threat running down the left flank then Danny Rose can help out. Both players are good options to have playing in different competitions. The only worry — if any — is a lack of finding consistency for either player.

With the starting eleven that Mauricio Pochettino chose for Tottenham. Every single player has been a starter last season. All of Spurs’ players started for Tottenham a year ago and for Kieran Trippier and Dele Alli. They were everyday starters for Burnley and MK Dons respectively. Essentially, Mauricio Pochettino put out a well experienced group on the pitch in hopes of getting a win.

Rest will obviously be an issue with only three days left until their Premier League fixture against Swansea City on Sunday. But if this means that Pochettino is in favor of wanting to win the Europa League to qualify directly into the Champions League, then this would be a good idea. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the Premier League isn’t important, but Mauricio Pochettino probably feels like the Europa League is an easier route than trying to compete with six or seven clubs for four spots in the Premier League.

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Although Spurs were unable to get the three points due to earning a draw against Monaco (which should have ended in a win), Tottenham are still atop Group J even if it is just one point. Tottenham’s lone goal would be Érik Lamela who continues his fine form with his fifth consecutive game of having a hand in all of Spurs’ goals in all competitions (3 goals and 2 assists) according to Opta Joe’s official twitter account.

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Tottenham’s 1-0 goal lead would end when Stephan El Shaarawy would equalize and deny Spurs a win and all three points with ten minutes left in the game. Instead, of being clear of three full points behind the second placed team in Group J, Qarabağ FK, the two teams are now separated by a single point with four more group stage games remaining and Spurs’ next game is against Anderlecht on the road.

Leading up to Monaco equalizing and Spurs drawing, Mauricio Pochettino made two interesting substitution changes besides Clinton N’Jie coming in for his fifth straight appearance off the bench. It seems that Andros Townsend is still in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans, but mainly outside of the Premier League.

It’s not terribly bad for Townsend, but surely this spot could go to a different player instead. As for Tom Carroll, he’s the only one currently out of Spurs’ recent academy graduates to get more playing time than Alex Pritchard who’s nursing an injury. Josh Onomah has yet to make an appearance this season, while Harry Winks has made at least one coming off the bench. If Pritchard wasn’t hurt, perhaps he would get as much playing time as Carroll is, but for now Tom Carroll’s performances haven’t been as good as they could be after a good pre-season this summer where he was more direct with his play and pushing defenses back.

It could be down to his position that Pochettino is playing him in or the lack of first team minutes are hurting him and he’s trying to rediscover his form as a substitute player coming off of the bench instead of a starter.

Up next in the Europa League, Spurs will face Anderlecht on the road and a chance to add three points to bring their total to 7 points and atop Group J. But from the looks of it, Qarabağ FK might prove to be a tough challenge if they happen to beat Monaco in the third matchday fixture and be right behind Tottenham once more.

So far, this Europa League group stage is going as good as it did last year for Spurs and there’s a good chance that Tottenham will make it into the knockout stage. How far they’ll go depends on Tottenham’s form and if Mauricio Pochettino wants to win the Europa League over a top four finish in the Premier League.

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Spurs Gut Reaction Rant: Draw against Monaco

By Alexander Balano | Oct 1, 2015

Spurs score early, concede late for a 1-1 draw and a loss of two points.

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