On another disheartening European night, Tottenham Hotspur found a new way to disappoint their fans while shooting themselves in the foot. Not to say I have lost any faith in Antonio Conte – because I have not – but it is obviously going to take more than a few weeks with the Italian coach to fix what ails Spurs, as the problems run deep. So who performed and who did not in Spurs ignominious 2-1 loss at Mura?
Rating the Tottenham defence
Spurs conceded as many goals in one match against Mura (2) as the Slovenians had scored in the previous four matches. Given one of their previous two goals was against Tottenham, one should not be surprised to see more conceded
Goalkeeper – Pierluigi Gollini
Coming in we knew it was going to be about making one or two key saves for Pierluigi Gollini, however, the Italian was unable to come through. Completely rooted to the turf on the first goal, Gollini barely saw the ball pass him by, much less made an effort to reach for it. Left wrong-footed on the deflected second goal, there was little he could have done once the touch occurred. Gollini was alert and had a nice header about 25 yards from goal to prevent a fast break and had a decent punch on a corner. However, it will be the two he could not stop everyone remembers. 5
Left-back – Davinson Sanchez
Culpable on both goals, Sanchez was not good most of the evening. Playing on the left side of the back three to start, Sanchez was uncomfortable from the get-go. Beaten badly on the first goal and then again beaten on the winner, Sanchez was poor defensively. More willing to try and take space available with the ball in the second half but overall the Colombian looks a poor fit for Antonio Conte’s defensive approach. 3
Center-back – Joe Rodon
Rodon was one of several players with a big opportunity to impress in his first action under Coach Conte but like so many others Rodon failed to capitalize. The Walse international was not terrible and did some things right – like his work with the ball on the dribble. However, like many of the players on the evening, Rodon struggled to connect on his passes missing most of his efforts, particularly those going up the pitch. 5
Right-back – Japhet Tanganga
Perhaps the only defender on the evening to come out looking like part of the answer for Spurs was Japhet Tanganga. Played right-back after playing wide as the wing-back on the weekend. The English defender does well pushing up the pitch and is comfortable on the ball. Tanganga played on the left after Ryan Sessegnon was red-carded and then went back to the right to finish the match. Tanganga is taking his chances. 7
Tottenham midfield ratings
Spurs were up and down in the midfield but never really had control of the match, particularly after going down a man.
Left wingback – Ryan Sessegnon
No player had as poor of an evening as Ryan Sessegnon, who was off the pace early. Bafflingly, Sessegnon did little to provide any defensive support on the left and when he did it turned ugly. Two yellow cards in 30 minutes are just unacceptable. It was an opportunity wasted for himself and his team as Spurs played down a man for about an hour. 1
Central midfield – Tanguy Ndombele
Another getting his first start under Conte, Tanguy Ndombele was another play to disappoint overall. Ndombele had a couple of moments in the match where he was decent on the ball – although his passing was poor. Ndombele also had a good moment defensively where he tracked back and won the ball. However, those positive moments were few and far between as the Frenchman jogged about the park. 5
Central midfield – Oliver Skipp
Back from a yellow card suspension on the weekend, Oliver Skipp was up for the match physically but did not play his best game tactically. Skipp had several unforced errors where he simply missed the ball or just did not do enough to make a good pass. Willing just not able, Skipp has and will see better days than his performance again Mura. 5
Right wingback – Matt Doherty
Like all of the other players who should have worked hard to impress against Mura, instead, Matt Doherty joined the group of those who were disappointing. Doherty had some space and opportunities early but his service was poor and nothing happened from it. Despite playing the position he did to much success at Wolverhampton, Doherty looked timid and indecisive on and off the ball. 4
Tottenham forward ratings
Tottenham was better offensively in that they had some actual shots but the good looks were limited and the team struggled to connect in the final third.
Left forward – Dele Alli
Getting his first start under Conte Dele looked bright early with some attempts to run in behind and to pressure the Mura defenders. Overall, however, Dele did little to get on the ball consistently and provided no real attacking threat. His most aggressive moment of the match was right before being substituted when he almost got into a fight with one of the Mura players. Looks like a player lacking both confidence and belief. 4
Center forward – Harry Kane
Scoring his first goal in some time for Spurs, it was positive that Kane got on the scoreboard. There were other positive signs as well, as Kane worked hard dropping deep to build up possession and again got one good look in the box from hold-up play. Unfortunately, Kane’s first touch – like most of the team’s – was not good enough and chances that he should be making and taking still are illuding the Tottenham talisman. A nice dink goal but one was just not enough. 7
Right forward – Bryan Gil
Of all the players who had the first opportunity under Conte, Bryan Gil looked the most up for it on the day. Gil was willing to run on both sides of the ball working up and down the right flank and trying to combine with Doherty and Tanganga. Still undersized for this level, Gil was physically abused by Mura and needs to continue to get stronger to handle the abuse he is going to receive. 6
Tottenham substitute and coaching rating
The game swung in both directions for Tottenham with the substitutes, with the first batch working and the last one not.
Heung-Min Son
Heung-Min Son came on for Dele Alli and only did marginally better than Dele. Son did work hard one time to create a shot for himself that led to a corner and his corners were okay. On the defensive side of the ball, Son leaves a lot to be desired and is easily passed. 5
Ben Davies
Coming on to provide some balance on the left, Davies did so until he did not. Not in position on the final play when Mura scored the winner when Sanchez needed help. 5
Eric Dier
Eric Dier showed his value almost immediately as the defense settled and was more organized. This was true until Dier was dribbling in Mura’s half with only 30 seconds to go and turned the ball over at the worst possible time. 4
Lucas Moura
One substitution did work well and that was Lucas Moura. The Brazilian shows how he should continue to thrive in Conte’s system with his ability to show for the ball, hold it, then turn and attack up the pitch. It was on one of these plays that Moura was able to poke the ball forward to Kane for Spurs’ only goal. 7
Pierre Hojbjerg
Coming on late for Tanguay Ndomble bringing on Pierre Hojbjerg was kind of a sign that Spurs were going for the win. Unfortunately, like so many other players it was not Hojbjerg’s evening, as the only things worse than his first touch were his second touches and passing. Hojbjerg’s inability to control the ball hurt the team at a time when they were in the ascendency. 4
Coach Antonio Conte
Whatever Conte has said to the team before the last two matches, he n needs to go ahead and throw those speeches out, as they do not work with this lot. The poor intensity and lack of cohesion from the beginning were disappointing and likely even more so to the coach. A couple of the changes were good but none were inspired. Conte has his work cut out for him. 5