Tottenham respond to week of adversity with late win, but now is the time to kick on

Rooting for Tottenham is not for the faint of heart. It's for people who can endure tough times and still make it out the other side with optimism for the future. The start to 2024-25 isn't exactly what any fan, player, or coach would want, but as Ange Postecoglou has stressed many times, it is not as bad as it seems.

Unfortunately, last night's late comeback win over Coventry City in the Carabao Cup didn't lift moods enough to suggest it will be totally smooth sailing going forward. That's the Tottenham way though; it wouldn't be fun if it wasn't hard.

Tottenham managed to grab a late win over Coventry, hoping to turn the season around

In all seriousness, the win is ideally a sign that the belief in the tactical system and the players' belief in themselves is still there. Spurs still had the lion's share of possession, to use a FIFA trope, but just didn't have the attacking edge again. Fraser Forster did not look comfortable passing out from the back. Ben Davies and Radu Dragusin didn't do the worst job in defense, but they didn't look amazing either. Destiny Udogie struggled and was hooked for Djed Spence, who started the comeback.

Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray got their first start and both had flashes of brilliance but clearly showed their inexperience. They were both unable to contribute in the first half, and they were both subbed off for senior players, who made the difference in the end.

Timo Werner was particularly shocking. He's never been touted as the best player on the team, but his decision-making was woeful even for him, and his errors led to multiple Coventry chances. Wilson Odobert picked up a significant hamstring injury, making way for Brennan Johnson, who endured a shocking amount of online abuse.

It would be Johnson who lifted Tottenham over the line and into the quarterfinals. The team fought back to win after conceding first, a characteristic of the first season of Ange-ball.

After dealing with a very tough start, this win needs to be the start of a better run of form. Spurs travel to Brentford on Saturday and must play like they did last season. It's time for the team to remember who they are, and fight for the badge, the gaffer, and the fans.

The team showed they could still do it in this match. Yes, it was Coventry, a Championship club that Spurs should not have even remotely had a chance on goal, and should've won by a much larger margin. Brentford is an established Premier League side now, a much more daunting task, but if we think this won't invigorate the team even a little, that would be silly. An abused player scored the game-winning goal and ended a goalless streak dating back to last season. It is a sign there is still fight in these players, and they will fight to turn the results around.