Jose Mourinho recycled his pre-lockdown excuse of not having enough options on the bench before – and after – (and probably during) Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Friday.
Despite now having the luxury of five substitutions up his sleeve, Mourinho only made two changes during the squad’s first competitive fixture in over three months, and we limped and panted our way to a point late on.
Giovani Lo Celso and Gedson Fernandes were the two reserves Jose did turn too, and lots of fans were frustrated that Tanguy Ndombele was not called upon in light of Mourinho’s positive recent comments about him.
But the Portuguese was absolutely right not to bring him on.
We were coming under substantial pressure in the second half and Ndombele has not shown anything in his time at Spurs thus far that he could be depended on to keep our shape or follow his runner, etc.
The Frenchman may have helped us keep the ball a lot better, and thus relieved some of the United pressure, but until he can be trusted to do the dirty work too then he is too risky an option in those rearguard situations.
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