Tottenham Hotspur have never been short of drama. Every season, every game, they seem to live on the edge of chaos and hope. Their latest Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers was another example of this strange Spurs DNA. They had the chance to close the gap at the top of the table, to make a statement of intent under their new manager Thomas Frank, but once again they slipped into the same familiar pattern—disappointment, inconsistency, and last-minute salvation.
On paper, this should have been a straightforward win. Wolves came into the match on the back of five consecutive league defeats, low on confidence, fragile, and there for the taking. But instead of cruising to three points, Tottenham stumbled. They lacked rhythm, creativity, and urgency. Wolves, organised and determined, gave them a tough battle, and for much of the game, it looked like Spurs would be punished. And they would have been—if not for Joao Palhinha.
The Portuguese midfielder, signed on loan from Bayern Munich, has quickly become the heartbeat of this new-look Spurs side. He is not flashy like Kudus or Simons, not a superstar like the departed Son, but he is something Spurs have needed for years—a warrior in midfield. Against Wolves, he showed his full value, not only by dominating the duels and tackles but by producing the most dramatic moment of the game: a thunderous stoppage-time strike that rescued a point.
Palhinha’s goal was more than just an equaliser. It was a statement of character. It said: Spurs will not roll over. Spurs will fight until the last kick. And most importantly, it reminded fans that while new attackers are still settling, while the team struggles with fluency, they have a leader in midfield who will drag them through.
His performance was everything Spurs fans dream about. He won all seven of his ground duels. He made five tackles. He put his body on the line for every ball. And when it mattered most, he turned into a goalscorer. Marcus Bring, the data analyst who once labelled him a “defensive monster,” was proven right again. Palhinha is not just a destroyer; he is a difference-maker.
Yet, while Palhinha was magnificent, not everyone in a Tottenham shirt rose to the occasion. Some players looked lost, some looked out of place, and one in particular may have played his way out of the starting lineup—Djed Spence.
Related Posts:
Spence’s story at Tottenham has been a strange one. Signed as a promising young full-back, he has had loan spells, injuries, and moments of revival. Fans had started to believe that under Thomas Frank, he could finally fulfil his potential. But against Wolves, the weaknesses in his game were laid bare for all to see.
He lost possession twelve times. He created just one chance. He didn’t even attempt a dribble. Defensively, he wasn’t disastrous, but offensively, he offered almost nothing. And in a Tottenham system that relies on adventurous full-backs, that is simply not enough.
Football.london gave him a 6/10, but even that felt generous. His delivery was poor, his rhythm missing, and when Frank finally substituted him after just over an hour, there was no surprise. Spurs looked blunt on that right side, and it was clear that Pedro Porro, with his proven Premier League experience and attacking flair, is the superior option.
Spence has qualities—he is strong, physical, and reliable in one-on-one defending. But Tottenham are chasing the Champions League places, maybe even dreaming of a title push one day. They cannot afford a right-back who wins only 36% of his duels. They cannot afford a player who goes missing in attack. And they cannot afford passengers in games like this, where one lapse in quality can cost them everything.
Frank now faces a decision. Does he give Spence more time, hoping he improves? Or does he act ruthlessly and return Porro to the starting eleven? Based on this performance, the answer seems clear. Spurs must drop Spence.
This match was more than just numbers, though. It was a reflection of the bigger Tottenham picture. The post-Son era has begun, and it is filled with uncertainty. Without their long-time captain, Spurs are searching for a new identity. Kudus and Simons were meant to be the stars, but both struggled against Wolves. Richarlison, too, failed to deliver. The attack looked blunt, lacking the spark that Son always provided.
That is why Palhinha’s role feels even more vital. He may not be a forward, but his energy, leadership, and mentality are helping to hold this team together. He is proving to be the signing of the season for Spurs, a man who could define this transition period. If Spurs are to survive the turbulence of this rebuild, Palhinha will be at the centre of it.
But one player cannot carry a whole team. Frank must demand more from the rest. He must get Kudus firing, he must push Simons to show his talent, and he must find a way to turn Richarlison into the clinical striker Spurs so badly need. Without goals, without creativity, no amount of midfield battles will save them.
The frustration for fans is that this was a missed opportunity. Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool are already pulling away at the top. Spurs had the chance to keep pace, but instead, they dropped points to a struggling Wolves side. Palhinha’s late goal turned a loss into a draw, but it still feels like two points lost.
And so the cycle continues. Tottenham remain a team full of promise, full of talent, but still inconsistent. They can beat big teams one week and stumble against struggling sides the next. That is the challenge Thomas Frank must solve.
For Spurs fans, this game will live in memory for two reasons. The joy of Palhinha’s last-minute strike, and the disappointment of seeing yet another flat attacking display, compounded by Spence’s struggles. Hope and frustration, hand in hand—the Tottenham way.
Frank’s reign is still young, and there are positives. Palhinha looks like a steal. Destiny Udogie is improving every week. The squad has depth and potential. But there is also a harsh reality: unless Spurs cut out the weak links and find consistency, they will once again fall short of their goals.
Djed Spence may have been given his chance, but football is ruthless. Right now, Spurs cannot afford to carry him. Porro is waiting. The fans are watching. And Frank must act.
In the end, this game against Wolves was not just about one point gained or two points lost. It was about identity, ambition, and standards. Spurs want to be more than nearly men. To get there, they must make bold decisions. Dropping Spence is one of them.
Joao Palhinha may have saved the day, but he cannot save Tottenham’s season alone. Others must step up, or Spurs will remain stuck in the same old story.
This is Tottenham—always on the edge of greatness, always one step away from disaster. And until the inconsistencies are fixed, that edge will never disappear.
