Mauricio Pochettino’s stubbornness will lead to his demise at Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino’s unwillingness to experiment along with his recent poor match management is going to lead to his demise at Tottenham. 

Writing this, particularly as a staunch Pochettino supporter throughout his five-year tenure, is distressing. But it has to be said.

Getting older comes with a few unfortunate side effects: you’re not as athletic or flexible; hangovers are unbearably torturous; courage and bravery often diminishes. The latter of the three is clearly severely debilitating Pochettino, hindering his ability to adequately do the job. But Pochettino, who is only 47 years old, cannot fault age for his new-found meekness.

You’d think playing against Sheffield United at home would offer a wonderful chance to deviate from the norm. A norm which, of course, is not working.

Juan Foyth played midweek in Serbia but the Argentinian is only 21 years old, a young whippersnapper who is gagging for first team match time. He should have started in Serge Aurier’s place. Aurier was yet again one of Spurs’ achilles heels yesterday, dismal in pretty much every facet.

And where is Ryan Sessegnon? The 19-year-old would have offered Tottenham speed, virility and energy against a rugged Sheffield United side. He would have matched up perfectly against Sheffield’s George Baldock, who isn’t nearly as quick as Sessegnon. Instead Ben Davies lumbered down the left, rather ordinarily.

Sometimes a scenario calls for a Moussa Sissoko, Tanguy Ndombele pairing in midfield. Perhaps, to disrupt flow, an away test at Anfield or the Etihad. However, Ndombele and Sissoko should not line up beside one another against Sheffield United at home. It bellows apprehension, providing on a platter the impetus Sheffield needed to take it to Spurs, which they did. Tottenham needed only one of Harry Winks, Ndombele and Sissoko yesterday. Lucas Moura would have injected more pace and swiftness into the team, exactly the type of player Sheffield United have trouble coping with.

The one chance Pochettino took, by starting Eric Dier in the heart of defence, looked more like a science experience gone horribly wrong.

The more I watch Tottenham this season, the more I wonder what is driving Pochettino’s ill-fated decisions. He always reinforces that football is not a science experiment, but surely some risk forward decisions against a middling Sheffield United side could have paid massive dividends.

Pochettino was out-maneuvered by Sheffield United’s manager John Wilder yesterday. Before this season I never conceived of such a thing happening.

After not picking up a win in four top flight matches prior to yesterday’s kickoff with the status quo, what would Pochettino have lost by making a few bold decisions?