After the high of Tottenham Hotspur’s dramatic victory over Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend, fans might have expected a similar display of dominance in Thursday night’s Europa League clash against Roma. Instead, Spurs delivered a frustratingly inconsistent performance, settling for a disappointing draw that leaves much to be desired. While manager Ange Postecoglou has transformed Spurs into one of Europe’s most thrilling sides during his 18-month tenure, he has yet to fully address the team’s lingering inconsistency—a characteristic that has plagued the club for years.
A Night of Missed Opportunities
Although Spurs created enough chances to claim all three points, the result ultimately boiled down to the players’ inability to capitalize on those opportunities. It’s difficult to pin the blame on Postecoglou for this one, especially given the array of underwhelming individual performances on the night.
Among the poor displays, one player, in particular, stood out for all the wrong reasons—a performance so concerning that it might warrant his exclusion from the starting lineup when Spurs host Fulham on Sunday.
Key Underperformers: Solanke, Son, and Bentancur
Before delving into the main culprit, it’s worth examining the other disappointing performances that contributed to Tottenham’s frustrating night. Chief among them was Dominic Solanke, the club-record signing who has been a revelation under Postecoglou but struggled to deliver when it mattered most. While Solanke didn’t commit any glaring errors that led to goals, he was woefully wasteful in front of the net. Despite recording an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.13, he somehow failed to find the back of the net, a stat that epitomized Spurs’ inefficiency on the night. His performance earned him a modest 6/10 from Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold.
Similarly, Son Heung-min, while reliable from the penalty spot, failed to make a meaningful impact during open play. His decision-making was questionable, often opting for weak, speculative shots or holding onto the ball too long instead of making the right pass. Despite his goal, his overall performance also warranted a 6/10 rating.
In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur looked off the pace as the second half wore on. While the Uruguayan managed a few decent tackles, his overall influence was limited, and he struggled to impose himself on the game. His fatigue was evident, and his performance mirrored the collective malaise that seemed to afflict much of the team.
Pedro Porro: The Night’s Biggest Letdown
While the aforementioned players underperformed, none were as disappointing as Pedro Porro. Usually a dependable figure in Spurs’ lineup, Porro delivered a nightmarish performance that exposed vulnerabilities on both ends of the pitch. Despite showcasing a moment of brilliance when his free-kick struck the woodwork in the second half, his defensive lapses overshadowed his attacking contributions.
Gold criticized the Spaniard for nearly gifting Roma’s Artem Dovbyk a late goal and for his failure to track Angelino’s run for the equalizer. The full-back’s struggles were evident in his damning statistics:
Dribbled past twice.
Committed one error leading to a shot.
Lost all of his aerial duels.
Lost possession 23 times.
Misplaced 66% of his crosses.
Failed in 100% of his dribbles.
Registered a passing accuracy of just 73%.
While Porro did manage two shots on target and contributed several tackles, his numerous errors were impossible to overlook. His lackluster performance earned him a lowly 5/10 from Gold, a reflection of just how far below his usual standards he fell.
Time for a Change?
Given Porro’s struggles, Postecoglou faces a tough decision ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Fulham. Spurs have alternatives waiting in the wings, including Djed Spence, who is yet to receive significant game time, and Archie Gray, who impressed as a makeshift left-back against Roma, earning a 7/10 rating for his efforts.
While Porro’s natural talent and potential are undeniable, his dismal showing against Roma might justify a brief stint on the bench. A shake-up in the starting XI could not only give the Spaniard time to regroup but also provide opportunities for fringe players eager to prove their worth.
Conclusion
Tottenham’s inconsistency continues to be their Achilles’ heel, and while Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy has delivered thrilling football, the team must find a way to deliver consistent results across all competitions. Dropping Porro might be a bold move, but it could send a message to the squad that underwhelming performances won’t be tolerated. With Fulham on the horizon, Spurs must regroup and rediscover their clinical edge if they hope to maintain their strong Premier League form.