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Jose’s excuses intended to distort Tottenham’s on-field performance

By Gary Pearson

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on February 13, 2021 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Tim Keeton - Pool/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on February 13, 2021 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Tim Keeton - Pool/Getty Images) /
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The second excuse he pulled from the well was fatigue, partly blaming the loss on exhaustion. Yes, Spurs played a gruelling 120 minute FA Cup match midweek versus Everton.

Yet again, though, it’s an excuse that doesn’t live up to cross-examination. Tottenham, even with current injuries to three first team players, have one of the top flight’s deepest squads. The whole point of having a deep squad is the ability to rotate players, thereby keeping your best assets fresh for the most important matches.

Did Jose need to start Tanguy, Hojberg, Son, Lamela, Lucas and Ben Davies in back-to-back encounters only three days apart?

Of course not.

Son should have rested on Wednesday, offering Carlos Vinicius a chance to play. Harry Winks or Moussa Sissoko should have started in Tanguy’s place at Everton, while Steven Bergwijn should have started today and not on Wednesday.

There were questions about Dele Alli’s fitness midweek, but he appeared ready for today’s start. Sure, he’s out of form but Jose cannot use fatigue to cover up his side’s uninterested display at the Etihad. Even Gareth Bale was available for yesterday’s match.

dark. Next. Tottenham player ratings in loss to City

Jose’s excuses just don’t fly. But you have to give him credit for trying. He’ll have to be more resourceful next time, extracting more creative excuses from his bottomless well if he has any hope of pulling the wool over our eyes.

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