Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama made his long-awaited return to the starting lineup for manager Mauricio Pochettino in yesterday evening’s EFL Cup third round clash with Watford.
Travelling to the home of MK Dons for the game, Stadium: MK, Spurs eventually took a penalty shootout victory over the Hornets to put our name in the fourth round hat and whilst it wasn’t exactly plain sailing, I think a number of fans will have taken the positives.
Some got a rest, others took their opportunity to shine and simply put, it was minutes in the tank for players not immediately in first-team thoughts.
That applied to Wanyama more than anyone as the Kenyan international made his starting return after injury, but despite only having seven minutes under his belt as he continues his return from injury, fans were a little too quick to judge his showing in my humble.
Never seen whats fans see in him,kicks opponents thats about it
— TomR81 (@TomR555) September 26, 2018
-Gazzaniga is awesome
On the flip side, serious concerns about Davies & Wanyama. Both have put in some really sub standard performances. Sanchez was poor today too but not so worried about him.
— SHARKY (@Belgian_Hotspur) September 26, 2018
Davies looks off the pace. Wanyama looks really rusty. Winks showed flashes but not enough.
— Ian Ayers (@ayers79) September 26, 2018
Agree. Winks and Wanyama feeling way back but Davies and Sanchez no excuse. I see now why Poch isn’t picking them consistently this season.
— James Trembath (@j_trembath) September 26, 2018
Not just promise, against Madrid last season at home he was exceptional, ill agree we need a WC CM but winks will still be a big art of our midfield. I wanted Kovicic but other than that I’ve no idea who’s out there and getable.
— Mat Gregory (@MattyGreg) September 27, 2018
I thought he looked good, especially when he’s playing in a 433 alongside a broken Wanyama and Sissoko.
— Adam (@7AJR7) September 26, 2018
Painful until Dembele and Son came on for Wanyama and Sissoko
— Sonny Daze (@natecancook) September 26, 2018
Considering the time they’ve spent injured, the Midfiekd pair of Sissoko & Wanyama did put in a shift, but very low on quality ….
Poch substitutions were game changing ones !#Justsaying
— Ledley is my Hero (@spursNutN17) September 26, 2018
A number of the above comments about the 27-year-old I’d call fair game really, it’s to be expected as he gets his full fitness and sharpness back and putting in a poor showing is why he got the start to bring him on in that match and not a Premier League tie, but some are over the top and give no recognition to how long he’s actually been out. Real football is not FIFA.