It was once again another frustrating Tottenham game for Steven Bergwijn on Saturday evening as the team lost ground in the top-four race following a disappointing 0-0 draw at Brentford. Given the final two minutes off the bench a week earlier when Brighton & Hove Albion secured a last-minute win in N17, the Dutchman this time remained on the sidelines for the whole match.
Antonio Conte's side just never got going in west London and it was the hosts who came closest to sealing victory through Ivan Toney. Given their lacklustre performance as they failed to even trouble David Raya in the Brentford goal, it was clear to see that a change was needed in order to give the Lilywhites a chance of turning the game in their favour and sealing an important win.
Rather than opt for an attacking alteration with his first change of the game, Davinson Sanchez replaced Ryan Sessegnon on 74 minutes which in turn saw Ben Davies shift across to left-wing back. The Italian only made one further substitution as Lucas Moura was introduced in place of Emerson Royal with four minutes remaining.
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Unfortunately the changes didn't help swing the game Tottenham's way and they instead had to settle for a point against the Bees. Conte's late substitutions and failure to use all three of his options was a major topic of discussion amongst supporters after the game, with the 52-year-old explaining in his post-match press conference about the need to keep balance when asked if he could have brought Bergwijn on.
"I think during the game you always need to have a good balance," admitted Conte. "I tried today with the first substitution because we were suffering a lot from free-kicks and throw-ins, to put Sanchez in and then move Davies as wing-back.
"Then to be more offensive I moved Kulusevski to wing-back for Lucas Moura. But don't forget sometimes the most important thing is to continue to have a good balance because otherwise if you want to go only to win then sometimes you risk to lose the game."
Conte's decision making when it comes to his substitutions has been a talking point with supporters recently, and many clearly believe he should be more proactive when it comes to them. Bergwijn's late arrival in games has been noted, especially as Lucas has been introduced before him numerous time when the team are winning despite the Dutchman's goal flurry in March for his country.
The timing of them is another gripe, with Bergwijn only getting two minutes plus stoppage time against Brighton despite the team desperately needed a spark in the final third to try and win the game. Conte did make an early change in the Seagulls defeat with Dejan Kulusevski making way for Lucas on 64 minutes, but Tottenham's failure to really threaten Brighton after that and then wait until two minutes from time to bring on Bergwijn didn't go down well.
Conte could also have been more enterprising with his changes in March's 3-2 defeat against Manchester United. Although not quite causing the team as many problems after the break as they did in the first half, Spurs had their opponents on the ropes after Harry Maguire's own goal and they were there for the taking.
Lucas was again the first to come on as he replaced Kulusevski with 12 minutes to go, but the complexion of the game then changed in the 81st minute with Cristiano Ronaldo heading in his third of the game to give the hosts a 3-2 lead. It wasn't until the 87th and 88th minute when Bergwijn and Winks came on to try and salvage a point.
Conte's late substitutions could be seen as a show of faith in the XI he has on the pitch, although a lack of real game-changing options to choose from may point to the real reason. Twenty-four hours after Tottenham's 0-0 draw at Brentford, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made a double change on the hour mark with his team failing to find a way past a stubborn Everton side.
Divock Origi and Luis Diaz entered the fray and immediately changed the match in the Reds' favour as Andy Robertson netted the opener two minutes later. The two substitutes then combined five minutes from time as the Belgian striker headed home to seal an important three points.
Needing to get back on track in their remaining five fixtures if they are to secure a Champions League place for next season, Conte's substitutions could prove key to the final outcome as they are going to face sides who will try and frustrate Harry Kane and co in the final third. With Klopp making an inspired change in the Merseyside derby, Tottenham fans will be hoping Conte can do the same before it's too late.
