The quantity and quality of players absent for Tottenham is taking its toll. A point against Fulham is nothing to be sniffed at with the squad in its current state.
Three long-term injuries. Two medium-length injuries. Two illnesses, one case of match fatigue and a suspension. Starting December with this assortment of absences is like a nightmarish version of The Twelve Days of Christmas for Tottenham Hotspur.
What is worse is the fact that these injuries are clustered in certain areas of the pitch. Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven being missing means that Tottenham’s build-up play is missing its starting players.
At the other end of the pitch, losing Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert means that Son Heung-min was asked to play out of position and Spurs’ lacked players in the forward line who can keep ahold of the ball.
Tottenham players put in as much effort as they could muster against Fulham, having only played three days earlier in the Europa League. Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin and Fraser Forster each had moments which kept Tottenham in the game.
However, it was also notable that each player on at least one occasion misplaced a pass and gave away possession. Fulham decided not to directly press the centre-backs that often, instead opting to close off passing options, knowing that it would be harder to ask any of them to unlock Fulham’s defence by themselves.
Equally, Son was once again asked to cover the striker role. The fact that he failed to score his opportunity within the opening minute may draw criticism, but goal-scoring is a rhythmic habit and the constant change of position (as well as injury) is not helping him find his goal-scoring form.
Son is putting a lot of effort into his creative game, but he is still fundamentally unsuited to the combination of hold-up and pressing football, which Solanke brings to the team.
Fans can lament Tottenham not signing more ‘Premier League ready’ players or not putting more faith in the likes of Lucas Bergvall or Djed Spence. However, failing to get results with multiple first-XI players absent is not an issue unique to Spurs.
The whole footballing world has watched as Manchester City have failed to perform while missing Rodri (in addition to countless other first-team players) and even Arsenal struggled for control in their matches without Martin Ødegaard.
Liverpool have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table, but would they be in the same position if they had lost Allison, van Dijk, Konate, Endo, Szloboslai, Nunez, Jota and Gakpo at the same time? Maybe, but the task would have certainly been harder.
And what if Arsenal had lost Raya, Saliba, Gabriel, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Trossard, and Jesus? It’s hard for any team once you remove literally half the regular starting XI and a number of the players who would normally replace those injured stars.
Tottenham have a relentless schedule ahead. They will certainly be hoping they can get some of their players back as soon as possible, but will also require big contributions from their younger stars when trusted to start.
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