Nobody is questioning the progress Tottenham have made under Antonio Conte, but yesterday’s semifinal loss to Chelsea offered a few harsh reality checks.
Watching the first 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge was like attending a live comedy show starring an unamusing, disengaged main act. I wanted to look away, but couldn’t. And like the aforementioned live comedy show, there was nothing funny about Tottenham’s tragic first half display.
Things improved in the second half, an expected outcome considering what probably occurred behind closed doors during the interval. Like millions of supporters across the globe, Conte had every right to be incandescent with rage.
The sobering 2-0 first-leg semifinal defeat offered three harsh reality checks for Spurs. And based on that performance, I’m particularly apprehensive going into the FA Cup contest against Morecambe, in which Conte will assuredly opt for a weakened starting 11.
3. Defensive vulnerabilities
Tottenham’s makeshift back three struggled to come to terms with the task at hand. Davinson Sanchez failed miserably at his attempt to marshal the rearguard from a central position, while Japhet Tanganga endured his worst performance for the senior team. The young Englishman, for the first time, looked distinctly out of place. He made two grave schoolboy errors, both of which led to Chelsea goals.
Sanchez was dragged out of position all too often and didn’t offer any support to Tanganga, who was in clear need of some help and guidance from the more senior Colombian. Unfortunately for Tanganga and the rest of Spurs, help wasn’t forthcoming. Ben Davies didn’t make any catastrophic mistakes, but didn’t impress either. He regressed to the average Ben of previous regimes. Eric Dier, who missed out due to Covid-19, was dearly missed, showing just how important a piece he is to Conte’s team. For the first time since he severely damaged his hamstring, Cristian Romero‘s absence was palpably noticeable. The good news for Spurs is Dier should return for the return leg next week and Romero could be back by the end of January, while Conte will invariably up the ante on trying to sign an accomplished central defender.
2. Frightening lack of depth
You can only paper over the cracks for so long. Nine of 11 Tottenham starters were players cemented in Conte’s preferred first team. And while there’s no defending the substandard level of the nine first team regulars, Tottenham’s two fringe players didn’t do nearly enough to repay their manager’s faith in them.
Matt Doherty, who played out of position on the left, was as ineffective as a white crayon on paper. In his defence, Doherty was forced into an unnatural, uncomfortable role. But he didn’t offer anything going forward, nor was he particularly sound defensively. His left foot is about as useful as a peg leg, an unforgivable flaw for a professional footballer.
Tanganga probably didn’t sleep well last night. He’s a youngster who was clearly out of his depth. But he is young and will learn from the tough experience. People of his strong character, resilience, moral fibre and determination usually learn the most from nightmarish situations. As the wound is so raw, that won’t console him in the immediacy. But he’s got a bright future ahead, and everyone can take solace in that.
1. Conspicuous gulf between Tottenham and the top three
As if we didn’t already know about the gulf that still exists between Spurs and the top three. Tottenham’s progression under Conte is evident. But no manager can produce miracles without first building his own team.
The gaffer knows where his team needs improving and will do his utmost to make it happen. Let’s just hope Daniel Levy is going to put his money where his mouth is and provide the financial support his new manager requires to shrink the gulf that currently exists.