This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
On September 25, 2019, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his need for time to overcome the 'different agendas in the squad' after a difficult start to the season continued with a Carabao Cup exit at League Two Colchester United.
Spurs lost 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in the third-round tie, with Pochettino making 10 changes to the team, giving debuts to 17-year-old forward Troy Parrott and 20-year-old centre-back Japhet Tanganga.
Despite having a strong lineup, including Dele Alli returning from injury and Victor Wanyama, Lucas Moura, and Davinson Sanchez in the starting XI, Tottenham managed only four shots on target in the game and Colchester looked just as likely to snatch victory as the match headed towards penalties.
Christian Eriksen and Lucas Moura missed from the spot as Colchester won the shootout 4-3.
When asked about the team's performance, Pochettino said, 'We did nearly everything good until the last third. Sometimes you score, sometimes you don’t. We feel disappointed because we dominated the 90 minutes, but we were not aggressive in the last third in the way you expect.'
With Tottenham 10 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool after six matches this season and having won none of their five away fixtures, Pochettino is eager for the 2 September European transfer window deadline to pass so he has certainty about his squad.
