Vitesse Arnhem coach Thomas Letsch was thrilled to beat a Tottenham Hotspur side containing “top players” such as Steven Bergwijn in last night’s Europa Conference League group-stage clash, speaking to Omroep GLD.
Then again, Bergwijn didn’t exactly produce a performance befitting a “top player” at the GelreDome. But then neither did anyone else in a Tottenham shirt.
A 1-0 defeat against their Eredivisie opponents wasn’t so much a smash-and-grab coupon-buster but the inevitable result of a display that would rival August’s qualifier loss to Pacos de Ferreira – lacking in intensity, desire and aggression.
In fact, you could argue Bergwijn’s performance epitomised that of the entire Spurs side. Nuno Espirito Santo’s fringe players let an opportunity pass them by on a night that did nothing for their first-team prospects.
How do Tottenham get the best out of Bergwijn after another blank vs Vitesse Arnhem?
“Everyone is, of course, very happy. This was a special evening,” says Letsch, whose Vitesse side sealed a famous win with a deflected long-range volley from left-back Maximilian Wittek.
“Not only did we win, but it was also deserved. That is actually not normal against a team like Tottenham Hotspur.
“I don’t care who plays. Steven Bergwijn, for example, is a top player. If you play against Tottenham, it doesn’t matter who plays. There is no B team and I don’t think there is a C or D team either.
“We won against Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.”
Making his first appearance in more than a month because of injury, it would be unfair to single out the obviously rusty Bergwijn, particularly on a night where the likes of Dele Alli appeared to be auditioning for an Invisible Man sequel.
The fact remains, however, a man who arrived at Spurs with such an impressive record at PSV Eindhoven has scored just one goal in his past 41 club games in all competitions.
Can Nuno Espirito Santo get the best out of this mercurial “top player”?
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