The North Londoners had a disappointing outing in the Europa League yesterday with the Lilywhites suffering a 1-0 defeat as their season hangs by a thread. It was one of those games where they could barely find any feet and form with AZ Alkmaar pushing and playing with more tenacity and speed in their sequences—they not only pressed in a rehearsed manner but also ensured that Ange Postecoglou’s side couldn’t get out of the first phase.

It was a game that could have gone way worse for Tottenham Hotspur, and the lack of final output meant that the Dutch side will go into the second leg with only a one-goal lead. And the sole goal came from Spurs legs as well, with the own goal from Lucas Bergvall being the difference between both clubs. The hosts moved the ball with confidence and purpose, while Tottenham’s play was laboured and predictable.

O’Hara speaks on lack of showing form Son and Maddison

While it was an underwhelming performance from the whole team, we barely saw any senior player taking responsibilities on the pitch. You could see young players like Lucas Bergvall, Djed Spence, and Archie Gray working hard, but then you could not see the same drive from the likes of James Maddison and Son Heung-Min.

Both of them were not pressing as they should and then faltering when opportunities presented themselves, and this is something former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara was also frustrated with. Speaking with Sky Sports News, he said (via Football Insider):

“It’s been a pretty poor showing. Big players in the team, leaders, Son, Maddison, I need more from you. You’ve got to step up, you’ve got to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

“This AZ Alkmaar they’re a good side, playing well and they move the ball… they’re taking risks with it, they want to get at you.

“Spurs, I mean Son’s hardly touched it. Maddison, who’s meant to be the creative genius in there to unlock defences, has done absolutely nothing.”

And his words are fairly justified; speaking about James Maddison, he cannot go around throwing darts after scoring against Ipswich while presenting underwhelming performances throughout the season. This is a problem, one that either needs to be addressed or, if there isn’t a solution, he needs to be sold.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

• TTLB Opinion: Is Postecoglou the reason behind Maddison’s underwhelming season at Tottenham?
• TTLB Opinion: Tottenham target Branthwaite and Guehi – but who makes more sense?
• TTLB Opinion: USNMT ace leaving Tottenham talks to his father, but where does he fit at N17 under Ange Postecoglou?

For now, Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou need to start prepping for the second leg because it could end up costing the former Celtic manager his job if his side puts in similar performances as they did yesterday.