Coventry City 1-2 Tottenham: Key takeaways from Carabao Cup clash

Spurs can count themselves very lucky to be in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, having left it extremely late to strike against Coventry City and come away with a 2-1 win after a horrible performance for 87 minutes.

Let's take a look at the main takeaways that come out of that game and what we have learned (including things we may have already known).

Takeaways from Coventry City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Some had this view anyway, but it shows that Kulusevski has to be a starter, and ideally in a central role. Ange even said himself earlier this week that he is seeing growth from Kulusevski in that attacking midfield role, and how he has a massive upside.

It was Kulusevski's weighted through ball that gave Spurs their initial lifeline, as Spence latched onto the ball to equalise for Spurs just three minutes from time. The Swedish international had Spurs' first meaningful opportunity of the night too, after superb work by the aforementioned Spence to keep the ball alive, the 24-year-old forced Ben Wilson to make only his second save of the night.

Whether it is creating chances or getting to the end of chances, Kulusevski clearly generates meaningful opportunities. It should not have taken 74 minutes and an injury for him to have entered the pitch, and Ange must know that he will not get away with that again.

Secondly, and this is the point most fans will read whilst saying "We already knew that, obviously", but it is that Werner, for all of his effort and endeavor - is not good enough. It doesn't matter if he is on a loan, rather than a £30m signing. Spurs could sign a player from a non-league for free and £500 a week - it doesn't matter if Spurs have signed a player for cheap, they cannot be "smart business" if they are not actually contributing.

Smart business is bringing in players for modest amounts of money that actually make consistent and telling contributions to the team. Werner simply does not do that. Even forgetting the wages that the 28-year-old will be costing the club, he is taking minutes from Mikey Moore that can have short and long-term ramifications for the club.

Thirdly, Spence is giving Ange a serious selection headache. Udogie has not quite been the same this season, having not had a pre-season due to surgery, and Spence's performance tonight gave Spurs energy that the Italy international has not given so far this season. Spurs do not have many other options at left-back, although Sergio Reguilon was a surprise inclusion in the matchday squad at Coventry.

Finally, as long as Solanke keeps getting service at this current level, his first goal for Spurs will not come anytime soon. Whilst the striker should have done better with the opportunity presented to him against Arsenal, tonight he had absolutely nothing for him. The 27-year-old left the pitch having not had a shot in 62 minutes. He huffed and puffed, but a striker is only as good as his teammates, and Solanke cut a frustrated figure as his teammates continued to pass the ball with no substance.