You can sense the palpable frustration in Jamie O’Hara’s voice as he reacted to Tottenham’s narrow 2-1 victory over Coventry in the League Cup on Wednesday night. Despite securing the win, Spurs’ performance left much to be desired, and the anxiety surrounding the team is starting to build.
It’s been a tough week for Ange Postecoglou, who has had to endure a wave of criticism following Tottenham’s defeat to Arsenal in the north London derby. The loss hit hard, and Spurs fans were desperate for a response. The League Cup match against Championship side Coventry was the perfect opportunity for the team to bounce back and restore some pride. However, with just minutes remaining, Tottenham were staring down the barrel of another disappointment, their hopes of progressing seemingly fading away.
Yet, when it seemed like more misery was on the horizon, Djed Spence and the much-scrutinized Brennan Johnson stepped up to the plate. Their late goals not only saved Tottenham from an early exit but also secured their passage into the next round, providing a sigh of relief for both the fans and Postecoglou. While the win was a reprieve, the performance raised concerns, with many questioning how far this team can truly go.
Tottenham’s Premier League title hopes might be a distant dream this season, but fans are still clinging to the belief that they can lift a domestic or European trophy. The League Cup, FA Cup, and Europa League are still in play, and supporters are hoping that their team can deliver on one of these fronts. Realistically, the League Cup appears to be their best shot, followed by the FA Cup, with a European trophy seeming like a more challenging but not impossible goal.
For these ambitions to come to fruition, however, Postecoglou’s energetic, high-pressing Tottenham side needs to find the back of the net more consistently. That’s why the club broke its transfer record to sign Dominic Solanke, a move that was meant to bolster their attack. But things haven’t gone as planned. Solanke is yet to score for Spurs, and after three games, frustration is starting to mount. His injury hasn’t helped matters, and with no goals to his name, questions are being raised about his impact.
Jamie O’Hara is among those voicing concerns. Speaking on talkSPORT, he suggested that Solanke needs to take a hard look at himself, especially after Tottenham failed to register a shot on target in the first half against Coventry. O’Hara pointed out that for a player with Solanke’s price tag, expectations are naturally high, and the pressure to deliver is mounting.
However, not everyone is ready to jump on Solanke’s case. Jason Cundy defended the 27-year-old, reminding fans and pundits alike that the striker is still recovering from injury. “He’s come back from an injury,” Cundy explained. “You have to cut him some slack.” While Cundy acknowledged the criticism, he also argued that it’s too early to write off Solanke, especially considering the poor service he has received in recent matches.
O’Hara, though, was less forgiving. “Come on, for £60 million, you have to make something happen,” he insisted. “If you’re on the pitch for 60 minutes and you don’t have a shot, surely you have to look at yourself and think, ‘I’ve got to do more.’ As a striker, you have to demand the ball and take chances.”
Cundy countered by emphasizing the importance of patience, especially given the striker’s recent injury return. “He’s only just got there,” Cundy said, urging fans to give Solanke time to find his rhythm. O’Hara, while acknowledging the injury situation, still felt that the forward should be contributing more, stating, “We need more from him.”
The underlying issue, however, may not be Solanke himself but rather the lack of service he’s received. In both the north London derby and the Coventry match, the supply to the striker has been subpar. Even Postecoglou admitted that his team didn’t deserve to advance against Coventry, but perhaps their fortunate win could be the spark they need to turn things around.
Tottenham faces a tricky Premier League test against Brentford this weekend, and with European fixtures on the horizon, there will be plenty of opportunities for Solanke to break his duck. However, if the striker remains goalless for another month, the pressure will intensify, and the situation could spiral into something much worse.
As Spurs navigate this crucial period, the focus will be on improving their attacking fluidity, providing better service to Solanke, and ensuring that the team’s potential isn’t wasted. With the League Cup, FA Cup, and Europa League still up for grabs, the coming weeks could define Tottenham’s season.