Something needs to change at Tottenham — and there’s one clear place to begin.
Two Champions League games on the road, two points collected, and two troubling performances.
Tottenham rescued a draw against Bodo/Glimt last month with a late comeback, and on Wednesday, they had Guglielmo Vicario to thank for salvaging another point in a goalless stalemate.
Monaco completely outplayed Spurs, especially after the break, and will be baffled as to how they failed to score several goals. If this had been an isolated poor showing, optimism could still be found — a resilient away draw in Europe despite an off night. But this pattern is becoming all too familiar, and it’s unsustainable. Spurs can only rely on fortune for so long; continue in this manner, and defeats will inevitably follow.
Chance creation remains a glaring issue, and Thomas Frank’s continued trust in a midfield setup that stifles creativity is puzzling. Spurs sit second-bottom in the Champions League this season for shots on target, with only six across their three matches.
Against Monaco, Frank once again paired Joao Palhinha with Rodrigo Bentancur — a combination that has produced just two wins from seven starts this season. It worked against Manchester City, where defensive solidity was crucial, but there’s ample evidence it shouldn’t be a default option.
The approach is too cautious, often resembling a 6-0-4 shape. Palhinha and Bentancur drop deep to help the defence, while the front four push high, leaving no link between the lines. The result is predictable long balls toward Mohammed Kudus.
Lucas Bergvall, deployed as the No.10, endured a tough night just as Xavi Simons has throughout much of the season. Bergvall was wasteful in possession but also starved of service, with Spurs failing to connect through midfield.
Bentancur’s passes mainly went sideways or backwards — ten to Pedro Porro and five to Kevin Danso — while Palhinha found Vicario more often than Bergvall.
Palhinha’s defensive contribution makes him indispensable, yet the setup around him clearly needs rethinking. A change in midfield balance now feels overdue.
