Tottenham Hotspur were dealt something resembling a decisive hammer blow yesterday evening as a late equaliser from Luuk de Jong deprived them of an essential three points against PSV Eindhoven.
With just 1 point to show from their opening 3 Champions League fixtures and a trip to the Nou Camp still to come, Tottenham’s ambitions of qualifying for the knockout round of the Champions League are hanging by a thread.
There were hints of Deja Vu when De Jong notched the late equaliser as Tottenham also threw away a narrow advantage at the San Siro in the opening fixture of their European campaign.
If Mauricio Pochettino is to lead his side into the knockout stages he simply must find a way of shifting the mentality of his squad to ensure they don’t concede any more late goals in the group stage, but it’s unlikely he’ll be able to amend a fundamental issue in the space of just a few weeks.
The supporters were naturally frustrated by the result and the performances of certain individuals, including midfield lynchpin Mousa Dembele.
Indeed, Dembele was restored to the starting line-up last night and showed some nice touches throughout proceedings, but his hot-headed approach saw him treading a fine line with the referee throughout.
The Belgium international was eventually substituted in the 72nd minute and replaced by Harry Winks and, if the reaction to his performance on Twitter is anything to go by, the supporters will want Pochettino to enforce that change from the outset against Manchester City on Monday.
Here’s what the Spurs fans have had to say about Dembele’s performance against PSV…
Dembele and Davies can leave in the January window! What a horrible start by both. #thfc #COYS
— AR (@adhithya35) October 24, 2018
This performance from dembele is showing exactly why winks should be the first choice in midfield #THFC #COYS
— JMH (@jmartinhussey96) October 24, 2018
Dembele off at half time. Love the guy but it's just not his day #COYS
— Rorythetiger (@Rorythetiger) October 24, 2018
Sell Toby and Dembele. – all spurs fans. Thanks
— Jordan Hart (@JordanHthfc) October 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/JordanHthfc/status/1055144795809693697
https://twitter.com/mikeymendelsohn/status/1055151505513345024
Dembele is finished. Dier is awful. Our midfield needs pace, strength and quality forward passes, ASAP!!!!
— DJ Godfather UK (@djgodfatheruk) October 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/cxmthfc/status/1055182725471191040
