Alan Shearer claims Jose Mourinho's constant chopping and changing of his team, particularly in defence, is having a damaging effect on performances.
Spurs lost 3-0 to Manchester City on Saturday with all three goals perfectly avoidable as, first, Pierre Emile Hojbjerg conceded a penalty for an avoidable trip, then Ilkay Gundogan was given too much space inside the area to score the second past Hugo Lloris' meek dive.
Finally, Gundogan embarrassed Davinson Sanchez with the third, twisting and turning the Colombian to the ground from Ederson's long punt forward. City were the better team, but all three goals could and should have been averted.
Shearer believes Mourinho's defensive reshuffle, as Eric Dier returned at centre-back and Japhet Tanganga made his first league start of the season was a contributing factor to the scoreline as the Portuguese doesn't know his best defensive combination.
"I think he’s still searching, I know there’s excuses for it because of the number of games and he certainly had a point with the game in midweek [FA Cup tie against Everton]," Shearer told Match of the Day on the BBC.
"It’s the same for everyone but because of the constant changes, I think that’s why you’re seeing so many mistakes in the Tottenham team."
Mourinho has consistently altered his defensive unit from a back four to a three, and changed personnel with no one individual a guaranteed starter, outside of left-back Sergio Reguilon, when fit.
Eric Dier has been a regular over the first half of the season but lost his place last week only to return to the starting XI at the Etihad Stadium, and Jermaine Jenas agrees that a lack of familiarity within the team is leading to match-costing errors for Spurs.
"Too many mistakes," former Spurs midfielder Jenas said. "Too many individual errors that, as a manager, you can’t legislate for.
"I don’t think he trusts anyone in that back four, we had the Serge Aurier situation against Liverpool to the point he played Sissoko there at times. Doherty has come to the club and he’s not playing."
