Five things we learned from Tottenham vs Tamworth in the FA Cup

Tottenham Hotspur needed extra-time to see off non-league Tamworth FC in the FA Cup third round but they got the job done eventually thanks to goals from Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson, and a cruel own goal.

Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from the match:

Tottenham are in the pot for the FA Cup fourth round

It’s a strange old life being a Tottenham fan. Spurs have long since proved they are able to beat Man City away one week then lose to Mansfield at home the next. However, beating league leaders Liverpool 1-0 and then being taken to extra-time by part-timer Tamworth really takes the cake.

The most important outcome of the day – Tottenham are in the pot for the FA Cup fourth-round draw. It was probably always going to be one of those classic FA Cup ties in which the Spurs players struggled to get out of third gear, but at least they got the job done in the end.

The FA Cup fourth-round draw takes place after the Arsenal vs Manchester United match (kick-off at 3 pm) and Tottenham are ball number 17.

Surprised Postecoglou didn’t make more changes

With so many senior Tottenham players having a lot of minutes in their legs over the past two months, it seems surprising that Ange Postecoglou didn’t make more changes to the starting XI. People like Pedro Porro, Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, and Yves Bissouma must be pretty fatigued at the moment and it would have been nice to see a few more hungry youngsters out there.

I understand that Ange probably didn’t want the standards to dip too much, especially after benching Dejan Kulusevski, Heung-min Son, and Dominic Solanke but a lot of those senior players either looked tired or simply not up for the scrap. It was one of those strange games where I think some of the young lads actually would have offered a bit more than the stars of the squad.

Loan moves are needed for some

If you can’t get a start against Tamworth FC – the lowest-ranked side still left in the FA Cup – then you’re probably not going to start a match for the rest of the season. Alfie Dorrington needs a January loan move to get some minutes.

With Tottenham’s centre-back situation as it is, it seems very strange that he wasn’t given a chance to impress today. That same can be said for Will Lankshear up front too – why did he not start over Timo Werner in the number nine role? Even people like Callum Olusesi may be disappointed they didn’t get the nod in the starting XI today.

Mikey Moore is back

One silver lining on a strange day in Tamworth was the return of young Mikey Moore. The Spurs academy graduate started the game on the left side and barely got going in the first 45. Let us remember, he has been out since before Christmas with a virus so it makes sense he might be a bit rusty with the ball at his feet.

In the second half, Moore looked like a different player, driving past the Tamworth defenders and delivering some dangerous balls in the box. I for one am excited to see him start getting regular minutes off the bench in the Premier League over the next few months.

Lucas Bergvall to start the North London Derby

Lucas Bergvall impressed once again off the bench for Spurs this afternoon, but the very fact he started the match among the substitutes seems to give a clue for the North London Derby. After his extreme efforts against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, Bergvall was always likely to get a rest, however, it implies that he is being rested for something in particular.

I imagine that if Postecoglou did not plan on starting him against Arsenal, then Bergvall would have started today, so it could be a huge Wednesday night for the teenage midfielder.

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