This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
Mauricio Pochettino’s experimentation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium continued on Saturday as Davinson Sanchez was drafted into the starting line-up, only to be hauled off at half-time.
It was a strange call for the Argentine to make given Sanchez was Spurs’ best performing defender at that point, with Toby Alderweireld losing Abdoulaye Doucoure for the goal an example of his lack of form.
A change was necessary in order for Spurs to show more attacking intent, and Son Heung-min breathed fresh life into the attack, but the 23-year-old had barely put a foot wrong on and off the ball, and deserved to remain on the pitch.
Jan Vertognhen, like his compatriot, is not playing well, and he easily could have given away a penalty in the first half, but referee Chris Kavanagh gave him the benefit of the doubt in a clash with Gerard Deulofeu.
As a result, Sanchez should feel aggrieved that he was the man to withdraw, and in many ways it indicates a lack of faith in the centre-back.
His stats from SofaScore underline his effectiveness on the ball, with the biggest standout the fact he conceded possession on just four occasions.
By contrast, Alderweireld and Vertonghen gave the ball away 26 and 14 times respectively, and although they played the full 90 minutes it shows they were much more careless, and therefore the wrong man came off.
Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
Such a move could knock Sanchez’s confidence, as Pochettino has undermined his ability and any faith he once placed in him.
It is also a worrying sign of the Argentine, as it shows his continued misguided belief to trust players to perform who he has relied on in the past, even when they are clearly struggling – having conceded 10 goals in two games prior to Saturday.
The £65,000 a week player also got his team on the front foot through his long passes, with three out of four successful, and it is that active approach which Spurs lack currently, struggling to break down Watford and failing to score against the likes of Brighton and Newcastle.
Pochettino has to start being brave by dropping his previous favourites, starting on Tuesday against Red Star Belgrade, because only then may Spurs get back to their best.