Tottenham analysis: Harry Kane continues to struggle as Mauricio Pochettino's tactics and trust questioned

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Tom Collomosse17 February 2017

Tottenham fell to a shock 1-0 loss to Gent in the Europa League to compound a miserable week for the club.

A return to Europe's second-tier competition, their reward for a dismal showing in the Champions League group stage, saw a disjointed performance despite Mauricio Pochettino naming a strong side five days on from a lacklustre loss at Liverpool.

Harry Kane hit the post from eight yards out in Spurs only real chance of note and the team can now look forward to attempting to overturn the deficit at Wembley in seven days' time.

Tom Collomosse was in Belgium to assess the key talking points...

Kane needs more help

AFP/Getty Images

In recent matches, Tottenham’s top scorer has looked isolated in attack. Physically, he doesn’t look at his peak, either, with a thigh problem causing him to miss last month’s FA Cup tie against Wycombe.

At the moment, Kane needs players closer to him – which Mauricio Pochettino recognised by changing the system from 4-3-3 to 3-1-4-2 at half-time.

Sure enough, Dele Alli quickly set up a chance for Kane, who hit the post when he might have scored.

Sissoko struggles again

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Moussa Sissoko’s time at Tottenham shows no sign of improving.

Given a rare start here, the Frenchman was first deployed on the right of the attack in a 4-3-3, before switching to left wing-back when Pochettino made the adjustment at half-time.

To give Sissoko his due, he is not a wing-back, and he is right-footed. But he still looks a fish out of water – and a very strange buy at £30million.

Is Dembele completely fit?

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Since the 1-1 draw at Arsenal on November 6, Mousa Dembele has completed 90 minutes only once – in the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough two weeks ago.

The Belgium midfielder is one of Spurs key men but struggles to play two games a week, and suffered from a foot problem during the early weeks of the campaign.

True, some of those substitutions have been late in matches but Spurs desperately need Dembele close to peak fitness.

Pochettino’s tactical troubles

AFP/Getty Images

Using a 4-3-3 formation in the first half, Tottenham lacked punch in attack but were relatively solid at the back, with Gent rarely creative.

With 3-1-4-2 in the second, the visitors looked more potent going forward but were fragile in defence.

They were carved open down the right for the first goal, scored by Jeremy Perbet, while more dodgy defending forced Hugo Lloris to tip a shot from Danijel Milicevic on to the post.

Transfer trust required

Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I

We have been saying it for many seasons, but when Tottenham venture into the transfer market this summer, they must sign only players who have the complete trust of Pochettino.

Whatever the Argentine says about every member of his group being important, anyone can see he has little faith in Vincent Janssen – not even in the squad for this game – Georges-Kevin Nkoudou or Sissoko.

Therefore, it was pointless buying them. Better communication is needed.

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