Tottenham Hotspur 1–1 Fulham: The Afterthought
This might sound like a broken record, but where is the consistency? The only thing missing from that statement was an expletive, which we can’t use. Spurs fans will seriously be laughing deliriously because what else can they do? Thrashing the Champions of England one week and then struggling to beat a midtable side the next week is a remarkable inconsistency.
Anyway, what did we learn from Spurs’ latest show of inconsistency?
Ange underestimated Kulusevski’s importance…
When the line-up hit the social media platforms, many eyebrows would have been raised because one of the prime architects of Manchester City’s destruction found himself on the bench against Fulham. Granted, players need to rest, but this wasn’t the game to do it, especially since what happened last week.
Kulusevski has been by far Spurs’ best player this season, and if you don’t play your best players, you deserve the Fulham result. Ange overestimated Kulusevski’s replacements and underestimated the Swede’s current importance. It isn’t as if the draw was a lucky result for Fulham because the Cottagers dominated for a large part of the game. Kulusevski’s inclusion would have helped a lot, but alas.
Spurs looked unbalanced right from the off…
Without Solanke, Spurs looked unbalanced. It isn’t the quality of a player rather than the expertise of playing in a particular position, and no matter how hard Ange tries, Son is not a striker. He is a great left wing player, tried – tested, and proven. Yet, Ange keeps using Son as a makeshift striker time and again. Premier League is not the competition to experiment with, and with a year and a half of experience, Ange should’ve known that.
There was no left-footed attacker in the final third for Spurs, which made a difference. Brennan Johnson found himself on the scoresheet yet again, but apart from that, he wasn’t convincing when it came to playmaking. Spurs clearly missed…you guessed it right—Kulusevski. Just like in Cricket, where you need a left hand – right hand combination in your line-up, you need left foot – right foot combination in football. Spurs were very predictable because of that.
Massive fixtures coming up in December…
Now is the time for Ange and Spurs to find consistency because some of the fixtures in December are huge. Up next is Bournemouth away, a tricky fixture because the Cherries are having a solid season. After that fixture is Chelsea at home, and considering how well the Blues are going, it will be an uphill battle. Then Rangers are next in Europa, and the Scottish side is having a seriously good campaign.
Southampton at St. Mary’s will be tricky, but Spurs are expected to win. The following two fixtures will test Ange and Spurs ‘ mettle. First up is Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals; win that, and you are in the Semifinals with a genuine chance to win the Cup. Last but not least is Liverpool’s visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Do we need to talk about Arne Slot’s juggernaut of a team? Spurs and Ange most definitely do not want to become part of Arne Slot’s penitentiary!
One thing is for sure: if Spurs navigate the December fixtures without much damage, then the only way for them will be up. Let’s wait and watch.