Tottenham Hotspur produced a flat display during the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final.
Emmanuel Adebayor
The 30-year-old will need time to readjust to life in the Tottenham first team – if Mauricio Pochettino is intent on keeping faith in the experienced striker.
But the excuse of ‘time’ can only partly apply to last night’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United. Adebayor was lethargic throughout the Capital One Cup semi-final tie with the Blades and, for someone captaining his side on the night, was very disappointing indeed.
Christian Eriksen
More through Pochettino’s doing than the Dane’s, 22-year-old Eriksen was also ineffective against Nigel Clough’s men. The Spurs talisman was effectively played out of position to accommodate Adebayor and, in a deeper role, was unable to influence the game.
Eriksen could also have been flat simply due to coming up against a type of rival he is unused to in tough-tackling League One opposition.
Ryan Mason
Another midfielder to disappoint for the north London side was Mason, who was taken off in the second half.
The Tottenham man is only just returning from injury but he could have offered more against Sheffield United. As with Eriksen, it appears the 23-year-old was simply intimidated by the Blades’ intensity in midfield.
Much more will be needed if Mason starts the second leg at Bramall Lane.
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