Hopefully we’ve seen the last of failed Tottenham experiment

Why Conte went back to Doherty for the second leg

After Doherty’s abysmal showing in the 2-0 first leg loss, one would have thought his miserable experience on the left side would have concluded to coincide with his halftime withdrawal.

Conte doesn’t take any decision lightly, especially one of such consequence. There’s always a method to any perceived madness. First-choice left wingback Sergio Reguilon hasn’t played since the New Year’s Day win over Wolves. Conte said the Spaniard was showing lingering signs of fatigue and, knowing how stacked the odds were against Tottenham advancing, decided to leave him out and err on the side of caution.

Ryan Sessegnon played 86 minutes against Morecambe FC on Sunday and was also spared the physical challenge of playing on two day’s full rest. Bryan Gil isn’t a wingback option and Ben Davies‘ services were required in the rearguard, particularly as Eric Dier was also unavailable. Those factors combined put Conte in an impossible position.

Doherty is expected to depart Hotspur Way before the close of January’s transfer window. And while most will be happy to see him go, Tottenham’s lack of viable left wingback options is enough to unnerve somebody who has ingested a copious amount of Xanax.

Suffice to say, either because Tottenham’s preferred left wingbacks return to full fitness or Doherty is shown the door, I don’t think I’m alone in hoping this Frankenstein-like experiment never again rears its monstrous head.