The loud booing that greeted Spurs after 45 minutes againstSporting Lisbon was not indicative of their current status.
If Spurs win at Marseille in their final group game, they will qualify for the knockout stages of the European competition for the first time in three years, although a defeat will leave them at risk of being eliminated.
Spurs secured their place in Europe's elite competition on the final day of the season, thanks in part to the work of manager Antonio Conte.
There is an underlying discontent among many Spurs fans that can be seen in the dramatic draw with Sporting in the Group D game.
When long, aimless passes floated well away from their intended target, the groans began midway through the first half.
The response from the crowd when Danny Makkelie whistled at the half-time break was loud and clear.
It was understandable that Spurs had conceded the initiative to a side who looked better in possession.
He is an asset to Spurs. The Italian is a fiercely driven winner who represents a big chance of their first success since 2008 and yet there is a fair number of supporters who are not feeling love for their approach.
What followed the jeers was a Spurs team barely recognisable from what had gone before, not exactly vintage, but at least puttingSporting under pressure that culminated in a finale containing drama, controversy and chaos.
Eric Dier, Son Heung-min, and Matt Doherty were all saved by Antonio Adan. The crowd went with them after they woke up.
There was still danger as Spurs were grateful to keeper Hugo Lloris for a crucial save from a substitute, and the forward missed an open goal moments later.
With 10 minutes left in the game, Bentancur headed in Ivan Perisic's corner to level the score. The real drama came in the 95th minute when Harry Kane thought he had scored the goal that sent Spurs into the last 16, only for a bitterly disputed VAR decision to snuff out the celebrations and send him off.
The big question, apart from why the goal was ruled out, was why Spurs once again took so long to get going, why they stood back and surrendered control until they were left with no choice other than to let the handbrake off.
We don't have to doubt his mastery of tactics because he is a fan of counter-attacking style.
Many Spurs fans are frustrated that a side containing the world-class attacking talent of Son and Kane often seem to take a timid approach until forced to do otherwise
They are in a very different position than they were a year ago, and will point to the table and their position in the league.
It's hard to escape the fact that this was a big chance missed, and that Spurs have made things difficult for themselves by being so slow.
If Spurs had adopted a positive approach sooner, they would have created more chances.
They have lost against teams with quality this year. You can see the team in action. You can see Manchester United in person. You can see the team atNewcastle United.
The consequences could be serious if they do it again.
The look of the group is very dangerous. The knockout stage could be reached by all four of the teams.
Spurs could have been sitting pretty had they been positive from the start - and this drives at the heart at the nagging mood of nervousness among their fans despite what looks to be a promising position both domestically and in Europe.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
