Despite being in the Champions League, there was always the faint smell of the Europa League when Tottenham's fixtures popped out of the big computer at Uefa HQ. On Tuesday night, for large periods of time, it felt like last year's Ange Postecoglou European tour. The team even looked like an Ange line-up as no new signing started.
Despite being in the Champions League, there was always the faint smell of the Europa League when Tottenham's fixtures popped out of the big computer at Uefa HQ.
Villarreal, Frankfurt, Monaco, Copenhagen, and our old friends Bodo/Glimt are not quite the glamour ties you dream of. Nevertheless, you have to step up and play like it is the top-tier competition - a standard Spurs failed to meet in Norway.
On Tuesday night, for large periods of time, it felt like last year's Ange Postecoglou European tour. There was no control, no shape and the fundamentals of elite football were missing. The team even looked like an Ange line-up as no new signing started. It was the familiar faces and weaknesses.
We were lucky to head in level at half-time. When the Norwegians doubled their lead, few were complaining and we began preparing for a painful post-mortem. But then something happened. The team that never got going, refused to quit.
Our new faces were flung on and the vibe immediately changed.
Xavi Simons offered moments of hope. His ability to draw fouls and link the play were a marked improvement from Lucas Bergvall's puppy-like energy and enthusiasm. Mohammed Kudus on the right suddenly had his opposition full-back pinned back and out of breath, and Archie Gray - the player we don't really know where to stick - decided to announce himself in a Spurs shirt.
The game swung to and fro, but each swing towards Spurs was better, stronger and, ultimately, you could smell the equaliser coming.
There are fundamental issues with this Tottenham, but when the new faces are on the pitch together, they stare down adversity and just get on with it.
Thomas Frank is clearly learning with every passing minute that there is so much work to do, but the hunger and desire are there for all to see. Those are solid building blocks, and four points from two Champions League games is progress. We just need to be a little less Europa League moving forward.
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Category: General Sports
