Toothless Tottenham display strengthens Jose Mourinho's case to sign a striker

Mourinho's case for a striker strengthened

Jose Mourinho's case for a new striker this month was strengthened by a toothless Tottenham performance as they drew 0-0 at Watford in the fourth fixture since Harry Kane's season-threatening injury.

Lucas Moura and Heung-min Son again rotated as the false nine, and both squandered good opportunities to score in the first half.

Lucas had a dink smothered by Ben Foster when set 1v1 with the goalkeeper by Dele Alli's through pass, while Son volleyed over from Harry Wink's raking ball.

Son, in particular, did not bring his shooting boots and blazed over again in a second half in which Spurs did not have an effort on target until stoppage-time, when Erik Lamela nearly bundled home only for a fraction of the ball to remain the wrong side of the line.

Son is usually a smart finisher but it is as if Mourinho's insistence that he is not a striker is starting to wear off on the South Korean.

Having been similarly profligate against Liverpool and Middlesbrough last week, it is increasingly clear that Mourinho's approach is not going to work properly without a centre-forward to finish chances.

The sooner they can sign a new striker, the better.

Full-back remains a problem area

Against Liverpool last weekend, Japhet Tanganga became the sixth player to start at right-back for Spurs this season and at Vicarage Road he was the fifth player to start left-back.

No position sums up the rapid decline of Spurs' squad more than full-back; from the halcyon days of peak Danny Rose and Kyle Walker to a series of stop-gaps. And that was where Watford had the most joy, with Ismaila Sarr consistently beating Tanganga and Gerard Deulofeu troubling Serge Aurier.

Tanganga, a right-footed centre-half by trade, was asked to play the 'inverted left-back' role that Mourinho has earmarked for Ben Davies and task was made harder when he was booked for bringing down Sarr 20 minutes in following a slip.

His selection was perhaps a message to Daniel Levy – "I need a left-back!" – and certainly a message to Danny Rose, who was left out the squad for the second match running.

Aurier, meanwhile, had a particular erratic afternoon in possession and failed to offer his usual thrust in the final third. On this evidence, when Davies returns Tanganga should be allowed to focus on challenging Aurier for right-back.

Spurs did, however, keep a rare away clean sheet, to the credit of all Mourinho's back four and particularly goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga...

Gazzaniga makes the difference

Gazzaniga has done little since October to suggest he is a genuine alternative to Hugo Lloris between the sticks. The Argentine feels very much like a back-up goalkeeper and he came into this match on the back of another questionable moment after failing to keep out George Saville's late strike for Middlesbrough.

But Gazzaniga's outstanding save to deny Troy Deeney from the penalty spot in the second half underlined his quality and could prove an important moment in Tottenham's season. Although his team-mates could not take advantage by bagging the win, the save ensured Spurs kept just a second clean sheet in 15 matches under Mourinho and first away from home since New Year's Day 2019.

With Hugo Lloris back in training and expected to return to action in February, this may prove one of Gazzaniga's last appearances of the campaign. His save should help to ensure his stint as No.1 is remembered more for the positives than the negatives.

Gedson debut and Lo Celso impresses

The biggest positives for Spurs, aside from the rare clean sheet, was probably the performance of Giovani Lo Celso and a late substitute appearance for new signing Gedson Fernandes.

Mourinho admitted Lo Celso was tired after completing 90 minutes – and scoring – against Boro on Tuesday but the Argentine looked full of energy as he attempted to drive Spurs forward early on.

He is clearly a fine footballer, with vision and technique, who can play in a number of positions. Given Eriksen's situation, Mourinho should surely keep look to build around Lo Celso going forward.

The late appearance of Gedson just a few days after his arrival was also a plus.

The 21-year-old has barely played since October after being injured and then struggling to get back in the Benfica team but Mourinho clear believes he is ready to help the Spurs squad immediately