Tottenham Hotspur's Win over Partizan Belgrade Is a Microcosm of Season so Far

Tottenham secured passage through the group stage of the Europa League for the third consecutive season with a 1-0 home win over Serbian runners-up Partizan Belgrade. 

A first Spurs goal from summer signing Benjamin Stambouli was the decisive moment in a match of few good chances. 

The victory and its determination of Spurs' progress should have been met with positivity from the fans, although it was seen as something of a formality. 

In truth, Spurs have struggled with seemingly easy home games, and this match was representative of those home struggles and Tottenham's season more broadly. 

Tottenham entered the match as clear favourites, but a surprising team selection led to unfamiliar partnerships across the pitch. 

Vlad Chiriches was handed a starting role alongside Jan Vertonghen, and the pair struggled to understand each other during the match.

Throughout this season, Spurs' defence has been a major weak point because of the combination of poor individual performances and a rotation policy that has retarded the growth of a dominant partnership. 

Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen have generally been quite competent when selected in central defence, but none of Chiriches, Younes Kaboul or Federico Fazio has shown the quality to demand selection. Fazio will likely be the long-term partner for Vertonghen, although Dier must be considered an outside chance of securing that role for himself.

At the heart of Spurs' defence is a problem that was obvious against Partizan.

Mauricio Pochettino sanctioned Spurs' transfer pursuits in the summer, and the purchases of DeAndre Yedlin, Ben Davies and Federico Fazio suggest a general distrust of the existing defence. There has been little evidence that Pochettino was anything but right in this regard. 

Tottenham's match-winner against Partizan was Stambouli. There could not have been a more poetic goalscorer. 

In the early rounds of this season's Premier League, it was a similarly discarded acquisition that proved the difference between victory and defeat. Nacer Chadli, much like Stambouli 12 months later, was seemingly signed by the club without the approval of the manager.

But, much like Stambouli against the Serbian side, Chadli has proven himself worthy. His six league goals in 10 appearances have secured vital points for Spurs and made Pochettino's difficult early months a little more bearable. 

It serves perfectly too, that Roberto Soldado gave a classic performance against Partizan. While he could have had a hat-trick or even more with the chances presented to him, Soldado failed to score. His most notable contribution came when his wayward shot rebounded for Stambouli to score. 

Soldado didn't play poorly—and he rarely has—but his finishing was typically poor. 

Erik Lamela, Tottenham's record signing, gave a performance that perfectly summed up his time at Spurs. He was so very nearly brilliant. He ran with the ball well, found space with passes and runs and threatened the Partizan goal, but in the end, he came up with nothing. 

That may seem a little harsh on a 22-year-old, but it remains to be seen whether Lamela can really thrive in England. 

Perhaps the most poetic aspects of Spurs' routine Europa League win were the substitutions. 

In turn, Nabil Bentaleb, Harry Kane and Harry Winks replaced Mousa Dembele, Soldado and Paulinho. 

Three academy graduates were introduced in favour of three players signed for eight-figure transfer fees. 

"

Harry Winks on debut: "It's the best moment of my life. It's a dream come true. I loved every minute of it." #COYS pic.twitter.com/3oERkaEgPV

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 27, 2014"

Winks was only handed a short debut, but both Kane and Bentaleb outshone the players they had replaced. 

That is perhaps the most notable aspect of Spurs' season so far. The academy players have been the most reliable. They are the ones helping the team to the modest points total that they have collected so far. 

Harry Kane has been undoubtedly Spurs' finest striker this season. He has won matches on his own in England and abroad while Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor have precious little to point to. 

Ryan Mason, a Premier League debutant in Spurs' 1-1 derby draw with Arsenal at the Emirates in September, has kept his place despite pressure from full Brazilian, Belgian, French and Danish internationals. 

This victory was more or less deserved. Spurs were more or less good enough, and that is the most accurate summary of their season so far. Things are going ok. 

Spurs have now won five of their past seven matches in all competitions. They are scoring regularly and improving defensively. Pochettino is gradually learning which members of his squad can be relied upon and which will be left behind. 

With qualification secured, Pochettino now has a tough game against Besiktas in Istanbul to experiment.

He has no favourites and has given even the worst performers many chances to find a place in his team. 

Their victory over Partizan was patchy and ultimately unconvincing, but they did enough. That is the crucial fact and it gives them room to grow. The fact that Spurs' season has, so far, been equally unconvincing is less important than the fact that they are quietly collecting some fine results. This team is growing and improving with each game. 

They're far from remarkable but after 12 months of turmoil, some stability and quiet progress is just what the squad need.