Player Ratings: Stoke 3-0 Spurs

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When Mauricio Pochettino said in the week that Spurs would benefit from Europa League, the players must have thought that “it was just banter”, as Richard Keys would say. They clearly didn’t show the desire that was needed to pick up a win today against Stoke. I just cant see a win coming from anywhere, which is the problem. The players don’t want to lose on purpose, that would be unprofessional to the highest degree, but the wheels seemed to have fallen of the automobile that is Tottenham Hotspur, just in the worst way possible.

Hugo Lloris: 5

It must be awful playing behind a defense that has conceded the same amount of goals as relegated Burnley? Now, Lloris isn’t at fault for a lot of our goals, but the way him and Dier collided was something out of a Adam Sandler film. Something that isn’t funny no matter how many times you try to see the funny side, and it just gets more awful the more you see it. It’s going to be sad to see Hugo leave in the summer, but as bad as this sounds, I don’t blame him for wanting to leave.

Jan Vertonghen: 5

Playing at Left Back today, Vertonghen did absolutely nothing to help the team today, and played a big part in the opener for Stoke. He knocked the ball into the box which allowed Adam to nod home, but if I’m honest that was the only interaction he had with the ball at all. Another player that seems to be on ‘holiday mode’.

Vlad Chirices: 3

It is quite astonishing how Tottenham Hotspur pay Chiriches money to be a professional footballer. He looked shakey from the start, and when he got booked around the 10th minute for a needless challenge, you always had the feeling he wouldn’t go the whole 90 minutes. Unfortunately, he was sent off for 2 yellow cards, after messing around on the ball and tripping up Diouf. Most likely his last game for Spurs.

Federico Fazio: 5

Similarly to Vertonghen, his involvement in the game was very limited, as he had a quiet game, meaning he didn’t do anything to prevent the goals. Seemed less dangerous to his own team this week, which I guess is a positive to take from the game.

Eric Dier: 5

Normally, Dier has a decent game when playing Right Back, but today he was given a run around by winger Marko Arnautovic. It just wasn’t his day, but hopes still remain high in terms of his chances at Center Back, but on the other hand he needs to show that he is getting better, and not just living off the first two games of the season.

Nabil Bentaleb: 5

After rumors of him signing a new contract, Spurs fans were desperate to see him put in a good performance here. But no, as per usual, he let us down with stray passes and no tackles. It’s a shame to see him have no impact on the game, but another one who seems on ‘holiday mode’.

Ryan Mason: 5

Yet again, he didn’t show that he was good enough to play in the middle for Spurs. Yes, he ran around a bit, but that doesn’t make a difference when you don’t actually help the team score. The position needs someone better, someone who can actually pass the ball to the striker, and chip in with a goal of two. He may be a ‘Spurs boy’ that doesn’t mean much when you cant contribute to our side.

Erik Lamela: 4

He had a free kick in the first half that was headed onto the bar (albeit from a Stoke player), but now it must be time up for our record signing. Did nothing at all, and if I’m honest I forgot he was on the pitch until he was dragged off. No one can surely defend him now, as he has shown he cant do it on a Saturday afternoon in Stoke, let alone a wet Wednesday night in Stoke!

Christian Eriksen: 5

A game of two halves for the Dane, as in the first half, he seemed bored and uninterested, whereas in the second half, he tried to make the team attack, or at least get a goal for our travelling fans to support. It may be wishful thinking from myself, but it would be nice to see our star creator have a little bit more consistency in games such as this one.

Nacer Chadli: 4

Another player who wasn’t seen on the pitch until he was subbed off. A question of consistency again for Chadli, as never really got into the game and never tried to force himself on the side. He could have shown at least something, but he gave nothing to the team and was another one in the dreaded ‘holiday mode’.

Harry Kane: 5

Did nothing to impose himself on the game, and I know he cant do it all by himself. He clearly has run out of gas, and he looks tired, but when Roberto Soldado is the back up striker, you must feel inclined to pick anyone who isn’t him. Time for Kane to take a short break and to come back next season to show he isn’t a one season wonder.

Roberto Soldado: 4

No shots on goal, no nothing! Feel a bit sorry for the Spaniard but at 30 years of age, his time is surely up, isn’t it? Two whole seasons and not even double figures is appalling.

Mousa Dembele: 4

In my opinion, should have started, but didn’t do anything in his brief cameo, which doesn’t do him any favours. He just seems like his talent is wasted on the bench?