It happens so often that a manager can make or break a game with his substitutions. Mauricio Pochettino is often one to be cautious with his changes and very rarely makes an early switch, however, yesterday against PSV the Argentine opted to bring on his countryman, Erik Lamela. The decision to take off Lucas Moura, though, didn’t go down well with the supporters.
63 – Our first change:
#THFC 0-1 #PSV pic.twitter.com/eLKuu7ESfn
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) 6 November 2018
Whilst it was eventually a Pochettino sub that inspired the Lilywhites to victory, it wasn’t Lamela who shone. There’s no doubting that Lamela has been one of the club’s best players this season but in his half an hour on the pitch yesterday he failed to live up to the man he replaced, as Lucas Moura was sublime in the first hour and every time he picked up the ball Tottenham looked threatening.
There was obvious frustration around Wembley when Lucas was hooked and even some of the PSV fans looked relieved to see the tricky winger being taken out of the game. In the first half the Brazilian showed excellent feet to outwit some of the PSV backline and looked menacing as he got the closest to a Tottenham equaliser, however, Pochettino obviously knew what he was doing as his side went on to win, even if it meant bringing off Lucas.
You can read The Lilywhites’ thoughts on Poch’s subs here:
That’s such a horrific decision
— LP (@thfclp) 6 November 2018
WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY
— Zach Goldman (@Zach_Goldman4) November 6, 2018
Takes best player on the pitch off. Poch mate you’ve lost ur marbles xo
— Soph (@soph_thfc) 6 November 2018
Poor choice Son should’ve come off 100%
— Joe (@Joe_Bennett97) 6 November 2018
https://twitter.com/White_Hart_Spur/status/1059918233069932549
What a joke been our best player the only one that's looked like creating anything take Son off not Moura.
— Lee (@Ralfy74) November 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/JMHTHFC99/status/1059918302242332672
https://twitter.com/ThisIsTottenham/status/1059918784381796353
https://twitter.com/ballandthecity/status/1059918425106116608
The Lilywhites will hope Pochettino thinks his changes through next time, although considering it was his second change in Fernando Llorente that won the game, you can understand the gaffer’s argument.
