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Tottenham analysis: Lack of leaders a concern but Lucas Moura impresses in FA Cup draw

AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

After a night to remember in Turin, Tottenham crashed back down to earth at Rochdale as the side rock bottom in League One took them to an FA Cup replay.

A sloppy first half from Mauricio Pochettino’s side, in which the hosts could have had more than one, led to a fine Ian Henderson goal putting Kieth Hill’s side ahead at the break.

Lucas Moura’s first goal in a Tottenham shirt brought Spurs level in the second half, before Pochettino called on his stars. Dele Alli and Harry Kane were introduced, and the latter had seemingly put the tie to bed with an 88th-minute penalty.

Rochdale, though, rallied and deep into added time earned themselves a Wembley replay through Steve Davies’ smart finish deep into stoppage time.

Tom Collomosse was at Spotland Stadium to assess the key talking points...

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Dodgy pitch unnerves Spurs

Rochdale’s relaid pitch looked like a bowling green before kick-off – but it certainly didn’t play like one.

At one point, a routine pass from Toby Alderweireld to Juan Foyth suddenly leapt about a foot in the air as it made its way to the Argentine defender. Yet in the first half, Rochdale – who trained on the new surface during the week – were fluent, while Tottenham simply could not find rhythm.

The only man who looked at home was Lucas Moura, who showed some outstanding close control on his full debut for Spurs. Tottenham certainly looked guilty of allowing the chatter about the conditions to scramble their minds.

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

Promising first start for Lucas

Lucas Moura showed enough on his full debut for Tottenham to suggest he can be a very useful player for them in the final three months of the season.

He scored a fine goal, running on to a return pass from Moussa Sissoko and lifting the ball over Josh Lillis for the equaliser, and also worried Rochdale with his ability to carry the ball at speed past defenders.

Beyond this, though, Mauricio Pochettino will be very encouraged by Lucas’ attitude. On a tricky pitch, against lower-league opponents, Lucas showed he was right in the mood. He was brought off after 71 minutes but this was a positive beginning.

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

Spurs lack leaders

As Andrew Cannon and Mark Kitching buzzed around Victor Wanyama and Harry Winks in the first half and Rochdale swarmed forward, who was trying to pull Spurs together on the field.

That role is usually performed by Harry Kane, who was on the bench, or Hugo Lloris or Jan Vertonghen – both of whom were left out of the squad. This was the gamble Pochettino took when he changed the entire starting XI.

Matters improved considerably when two of the players he trusts the most – Dele Alli and Harry Kane – were brought on, but before that, Spurs lacked character. With so many senior internationals on the pitch, there was no excuse for it, and it will worry Pochettino.

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Rochdale match Juventus

What odds could have found on Spurs matches against Juventus and Rochdale, played within five days of each other, finishing with the same scoreline?

Tottenham were praised for their display against the Italian champions and will be criticised for large parts of this showing, yet some of the same foibles were on display.

In Turin and in east Lancashire, Tottenham’s defence was wobbly. They were left exposed by the home side’s rapid counter-attack for the opening goal here, and then substitute Stephen Davies was completely unmarked at the far post to fire in Rochdale’s equaliser.

Spurs are on a fine run and should finish the job at Wembley, but they need to tighten up along the way.