Mauricio Pochettino can’t trust fringe players to do the business

Tottenham were on the verge of rounding off a flawless week until Rochdale ruined the party deep into stoppage time of the fifth round FA Cup match. 

I had an inkling, when Harry Kane finished from the spot in the 88th minute, things were just too good to be true.

After walking all over Arsenal in the North London Derby, Tottenham marched into the Allianz Stadium three days later and accomplished what few thought possible. Not only did Spurs score twice against Juventus’ lionized impenetrable defence, they left Turin with a fully deserved 2-2 draw.

Flying high, Mauricio Pochettino’s side travelled to Rochdale, whose pitch was relaid last week almost expressly for Tottenham’s arrival.

"Rochdale were compelled to change the playing surface at the FA’s behest, but, for all intents and purposes, it felt like Rochdale laid out the green carpet for mighty Tottenham’s state visit."

Unfortunately Tottenham didn’t live up to their magisterial billing.

Before Spurs played Newport away, I had no doubt the fringe players could do the business against a lowly League Two side. I was inexorably incorrect.

Even with Harry Kane in the lineup, Tottenham struggled to take a stronghold in adverse conditions at Rodney Parade. Most importantly, though, Spurs, through Kane’s equalizer, pulled off their version of the Great Escape.

Lightning does strike twice

I convinced myself there was no way lightning could strike twice. The backup squad had surely learned an important lesson from that fateful day in Wales. And if they hadn’t, Pochettino, in no uncertain terms, would make sure the same sins were never again committed.

I figured Tottenham’s B-Team, even without a single starter from the Juventus draw, would redeem themselves, showing why they belong to a Premier League juggernaut.

Unfortunately history repeated itself today, a harsh affront on Tottenham’s squad players. It’s clear that Pochettino cannot trust the cooperative of fringe players to do the business on their own.

Lucas Moura was excellent while Danny Rose worked his socks off down the left, even if his final touch let him down. Son Heung-Min was lively but his final touch also failed him.

Otherwise, Spurs were listless, even coming across as slightly entitled.

Pochettino’s troops were much improved in the second half but, other than Moura’s sublime goal, still lacked any real cutting edge, making life relatively easy for Josh Lillis.

The tide turned only when Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Erik Lamela were introduced. While Tottenham’s top players need rest, Pochettino might be more ruthless with his team selection in future away FA Cup matches.

He might be forced next time to start at least one player from his top-notch club. Either Alli, Kane, or Christian Eriksen offer a touch of class that can turn a match like this on its head in an instant.

Next: Rochdale score injury time equalizer, earn FA Cup replay

I won’t make the same mistake of thinking Spurs’ second squad can handle these type of occasions again. And nor will the gaffer.

The result creates an unnecessary, inconvenient Wembley replay.

But Pochettino’s side have been here before so the draw at Rochdale, as disappointing as it is, doesn’t undo an otherwise resplendent week for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.