It was a cup tie of whiffs for Mathys Tel, but Thomas Frank was nonetheless encouraged by the 20-year-old's performance.
Wednesday night's Carabao Cup third round fixture against Doncaster Rovers presented Tel, who's been left out of the league phase squad at the start of our Champions League campaign, with a big opportunity to impress.
He was handed just his second start of the season, having been utilised up top at West Ham after Richarlison returned from South America for the September internationals. Tel's action was limited in east London, but he was certainly involved here.
A 3-0 victory ended without a goal for the young French forward, who certainly had his chances to get on the scoresheet. Ultimately, his two air kicks will serve as confirmation for those who don't believe in his talent that Tel will never make the grade in N17, but outside of those two desperate attempts to break his duck, the 20-year-old produced a promising display that was recognised by the manager.
Thomas Frank encouraged by Mathys Tel's Doncaster performance
“You can see his ability in this game to arrive in the box and the pace he [has] got running behind, and getting into the right areas,” Frank said post-match. “It’s good. His pressing ability is very good. I like the way he works in that situation and then, his link-up play is something that is a good level, but he can be even better."
Tel's capacity to bring others into play particularly impressed me on Wednesday night, as we saw him combine effectively off one touch, but also retain possession under pressure and ensure possession was recycled.
If it wasn't for the comical efforts at goal, one early on and the second, probably worse, midway through the second half, Tel's performance doubtless would've been held in a higher regard. Right now, you sense that the 20-year-old is just trying a little too hard for his Spurs career to ignite, but can you blame him?
“He really wanted to score and do well," Frank added. "Unfortunately, as a striker, that [is what] you get measured on. Exactly the same as a goalkeeper: you need to get measured. You can’t throw it into your own goal but I think, as I said before, the overall performance was really a step forward. I really wanted him to score as well because that would make it an even better story.”
I won't be selling my Tel stocks anytime soon, and even if you're yet to gauge exactly why the forward was once held in such a high regard by so many, I implore you to resist slander towards a kid who is is trying his absolute best to contribute to the football club you supposedly adore.