Chris Sutton slams Tottenham flops for not doing enough to earn first XI places in Vitesse defeat

‘They are in the second team for a reason’: Chris Sutton SLAMS Tottenham’s fringe flops for not doing enough to earn starting XI places after woeful display in Conference League defeat at Vitesse

  • Tottenham made 11 changes to the team who won at Newcastle on Sunday
  • But despite fielding a largely recognisable side, Spurs slumped to a 1-0 defeat
  • Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle accused fringe stars of lacking effort in loss
  • Chris Sutton claimed Nuno Espirito Santo will be vindicated by his first choice XI


Chris Sutton believes Tottenham‘s players on the cusp of the first-team have shown nothing to deserve a recall after a collective poor performance in their defeat at Vitesse Arnhem.

Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo made 11 changes from the side who performed well and saw off Newcastle 3-2 on Sunday, leaving stars like Harry Kane and Son Heung-min all at home for the Europa Conference League clash.

But in a woeful display where Spurs never looked in control, the likes of Dele Alli, Harry Winks, Steven Bergwijn and Giovani Lo Celso all failed to shine as Nuno’s side slumped to a 1-0 group stage defeat courtesy of a Max Vittek volley 12 minutes from time.

Tottenham Hotspur hardly caused a threat in their weak 1-0 defeat at Vitesse Arnhem

Nuno Espirito Santo says Spurs can still qualify for the knockout stages after 1-0 loss to Vitesse

Boss Nuno Espirito Santo made 11 changes to his team but could only watch them slump

Sutton claimed after the game Nuno would have been left vindicated by his current preferred XI, and that a Spurs side in transition will be highly concerned by their lack of strength in depth.

‘They are in the second team for a reason. Tonight was an opportunity to have the right attitude, their talent did not shine through’, Sutton told BT Sport.

‘Nuno will say this is vindication why you are here and not at home. How many players did enough to change the boss’s opinion? 

Max Vittek's superb volley 12 minutes from time gave Vitesse a deserved European victory

Max Vittek’s superb volley 12 minutes from time gave Vitesse a deserved European victory

Spurs players share a discussion during another poor European performance on the road

Spurs players share a discussion during another poor European performance on the road

‘I don’t think Spurs have cracked it, they are still in transition and finding their way, the Premier League is a squad game, he didn’t see the strength in depth. Bergwijn, Alli, experienced and good players but they didn’t make it impossible for him not to select them. 

Club legend Glenn Hoddle voiced a similar opinion but also accused the Spurs players of not putting in enough effort.

In addition, the former Spurs player and manager voiced concerns that the same players who flopped in Arnhem will still be on the bench when Tottenham take on West Ham United on Sunday in a London derby. 

Tottenham's XI also featured young talent including 17-year-old Dane Scarlett

Tottenham’s XI also featured young talent including 17-year-old Dane Scarlett

‘Nuno wants to be saying “you have given me headache”, now he is saying you have vindicated why you are not starting for first team,’ Hoddle added.

‘Come Sunday, that team that started will be on the bench, Gil could be a matchwinner from bench, but those players starting tonight have got to be on board.

‘You do need minutes under your belt, might as well have had 60-minute practice game if you aren’t gonna give it 100 per cent.’

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