OPINION
After leaving it late on too many occasions this season, Tottenham finally came unstuck against Burnley on Saturday, and it might have cost them their shot at this season’s Premier League title.
Tottenham fans love manager Mauricio Pochettino for what he’s done at the club but many of them also think he made a ‘massive error’ on Saturday, dropping the powerhouse enforcer from the heart of their defence against a big Burnley side. He had played the full 90 minutes in the four previous Tottenham games – all wins – but did’t make the squad on Saturday, with Pochettino trusting the young Juan Foyth instead. And the 21-year-old didn’t have a great game.
With Spurs fighting in the Champions League as well some squad rotation is to be expected, but you don’t see many sides switching from their best central defenders. And in the end it cost Tottenham on Saturday, with Ashley Barnes breaking their hearts with a shock late goal in the 83rd minute. And, as one fan pointed out, both goals they conceded were entirely avoidable.
It could be Champions League or nothing for Spurs this season now.
Here are the best reactions from Tottenham fans:
https://twitter.com/davspurs/status/1099779695535669249
I’m still bemused that Davinson Sanchez didn’t start yesterday.
He’s done very previously well when up against big strong strikers, Deeney, Mitrovic etc…
Jan, Toby and Juan all struggled to deal with Burnley’s physicality. #THFC #COYS #BURTOT
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) February 24, 2019
If he wasn’t injured then mistake by Poch to play Foyth over Sanchez.
At the moment Sanchez is far superior!— Matt (@yido76) February 24, 2019
Spot on Marc. Don’t like to criticise Poch but I suspect he now knows he made a massive error not playing Sanchez against the big Burnley front line
— IanjB (@IanjB58) February 24, 2019
Love Poch but cannot fathom Foyth over Sanchez yesterday. No arguments with 3 at the back v 442 but you need strong centre backs v the likes of Wood. Both goals yesterday were both criminal & completely avoidable
— AnthonyAshton1 (@AnthonyAshton1) February 24, 2019
Poch was frustrated with his team, the ref who gave a poor performance and probably himself too. He made a few errors today and that includes leaving Sanchez at home while Foyth got bullied. Taking Winks off also failed. Big week coming up. https://t.co/Tgd1lwupyb
— Ned Cotton (@nedleycotton) February 24, 2019
I was concerned. Sanchez should have at the very least been in the squad. You'd have thought his physicality and strength would have been key today. Fault at players door but Poch didn't help matters one bit. And he knew it. Look at him FT.
— Ned Cotton (@nedleycotton) February 24, 2019
Love your videos and couldn’t agree more with today’s result! I am a huge fan of Poch and will never dispute his greatness and what he has done for the club but he simply got his lineup wrong today. Foyth instead of Sanchez? Sorry – no… Our RB situation is a serious concern
— AHinds (@Hinds1Andy) February 24, 2019
Don’t want to see Aurier in a spurs shirt again he was so so so so so bad today and Sanchez over Foyth all day long two BIG mistakes poch made today
— Adman (@adman1981) February 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/jamied90_/status/1099414282448658433