Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is banking on his side’s late equaliser in a 1-1 draw against rock-bottom Watford being the turning point of the season.
The fact that Tottenham have got the season off to a poor start is an understatement and they were in need of a positive, convincing win against the struggling Hornets.
However, Spurs’ crisis looked like plummeting to new depths against a side who were beaten 8-0 in their last away game as they trailed to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s sixth-minute goal.
Another lacklustre display, shorn of any creativity, was rescued by Dele Alli’s equaliser in the final five minutes, but it massively papered over the cracks and the alarm bells are still ringing around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs have competed at the top of the English game in the last few years, but this is now a team that looks more and more like it has run its course under Pochettino and something will have to give, whether that be a huge overhaul of the squad, or the coach himself leaving.
However, the Argentinian refused be downbeat after watching his side rescue a point and hopes this can be a catalyst to recreate former highs. “It was so important in the way that we achieved the point in the end, the team was fighting, we showed character,” Pochettino said. “We have quality but when you are in this type of situation the most important thing is the character you need to show. “Talent is after, you need to fight and you need to run and you need to be strong in your mind, the effort is double. This is the first step to build our confidence again.”
Spurs also had a stroke of luck as Alli’s equaliser was allowed to stand by VAR, even though Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores saw a foul by Harry Kane in the build-up to the goal.
The Hornets were also denied what looked a clear penalty after Jan Vertonghen appeared to trip Gerard Deulofeu.
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