Antonio Conte and Tottenham's luck finally ran out on Tuesday evening after Sporting CP struck twice late on in the Champions League. Looking set to leave Lisbon with a point going into stoppage time, Paulinho headed the hosts in front before Arthur doubled their lead moments later to secure a 2-0 victory.
Tottenham were far from their best against Sporting CP and didn't do enough to win despite creating a few good openings. Speaking in his post-match press conference, Conte pointed out that while maybe they didn't deserve to leave with all three points, they didn't deserve to be on the losing side.
Struggling to hit top form in their first seven games so far this season but doing enough to get the points and remain unbeaten, a defeat has been coming Tottenham's way and it seemed like it would be only a matter of time before it eventually happened. Looking a totally different side to the free-scoring one that sealed the final Champions League spot back in May, Conte now has to ensure that his side rediscover their top form over the coming weeks with plenty of games on the schedule prior to the World Cup.
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So why aren't things clicking for Conte and Tottenham so far in 2022/23? football.london takes a look at the reasons.
No Kulusevski
Dejan Kulusevski has been extremely unlucky to find himself on the Tottenham bench in the past three games. Carrying on from where he left off back in May with one goal and two assists from his first four league matches, the Swede was the unfortunate player to miss out on the front three to accommodate Richarlison.
With the Brazilian subsequently impressing when starting from the off, Kulusevski has remained on the bench despite Son Heung-min's current woes. Making a notable difference off the bench in the Champions League win over Marseille, he again looked to make things happen in the final 20 minutes against Sporting CP and caught the eye with a couple of pieces of play.
Spurs look so much better for having the 22-year-old in the side due to his attacking qualities and he undoubtedly makes the team tick. He is definitely someone who needs to be in the XI if they are to get back to level they were performing at during the run-in.
Son's woes continue
Sticking with the front three, plenty has been made of Son's poor performances since the start of August. Finishing last campaign at the top of his game to help wrap up the Premier League Golden Boot, Son has looked a shadow of himself this term and has yet to find the back of the net in eight games.
Looking a lot sharper against Fulham before, then struggling in the Champions League ties vs Marseille and Sporting CP, the South Korean's place in the team has been a major talking point recently. A breather could do him the world of good but Conte has so far persisted with him in the XI.
Harry Kane, on the other hand, has managed to find the back of the net five times in the Premier League but it needs to be said that he, just like Son, wasn't at the peak of his powers at Sporting CP. In a game where things just weren't clicking for Tottenham, Conte and his team needed one of their top players to stand up and take the game by the scruff of the neck to ensure they got all three points on the board.
Both players are key to Tottenham flourishing and Spurs need the duo at their very best if the performances that have been lacking this campaign are going to appear over the coming months. While Kane has contributed with goals this campaign, Spurs need so much more from Son at present.
Midfield issue
One major talking amongst Tottenham fans after the Sporting CP defeat was the team's midfield. Opting to start with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur again, the duo struggled and were overrun in the middle of the pitch numerous times and just didn't do enough to make things happen further forward.
Both players have been a key part of Conte's success in N17 after delivering big performances in the run-in but they aren't attack-minded players who will get on the ball and move it forward to the frontmen with real purpose. Tottenham have been crying out for something different in midfield and a progressive player in the middle could potentially make all the difference to their current creative woes.
The introduction of Yves Bissouma against Leicester City on Saturday may help the issue as he is someone who is excellent on the ball, can dribble and help turn defence into attack with his forward-thinking play. Conte must find a solution sooner rather than later as Tottenham need better from their midfield.
Emerson's final-third struggles
Conte's Tottenham system means there is a real onus on the wing-backs in the team to be creative forces. Seeing Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses thrive in his Chelsea team previously, the head coach's wing-backs are expected to contribute with goals and assists on a regular basis.
From Spurs' left, Ivan Perisic has three assists to his name and Ryan Sessegnon, who has very impressive going forward against Fulham, has one goal from five appearances. On the right, Emerson Royal has one assist after teeing up Kulusevski in the opening day win over Southampton.
Whereas Spurs have natural left wing-backs in Perisic and Sessegnon to pick from, it is a different story on the opposite flank as Emerson has played as a right-back throughout his career until Conte arrived at Tottenham last November. As a result, he just doesn't have the attacking instincts that the duo on the left possess and his play in the final third often lets him down.
Getting into two very good positions against Sporting CP to get on the end of Kane's delivery, the finish was crucially lacking from Emerson whereas Matt Doherty, who has plenty of experience at right wing-back, may have taken at least one of them. That is no criticism of Emerson at all as it must be remembered that he is a defensively-minded player and he is trying to adapt to a more attacking role that previously wasn't part of his game.
It also must be noted that the Brazilian has had a strong start to the season and has been selected in the team on merit by Conte. However, for Spurs' system to really thrive they need an experienced right wing-back playing in the role for it to work exactly how Conte wants.
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