Nuno Espirito Santo has stated that Dele Alli is "not in his best moment" after struggling to make an impact on Thursday evening against Vitesse Arnhem.
Dropping out of the Tottenham team in the Premier League in recent weeks with Tanguy Ndombele moving further upfield to play in the No.10 role following a change of formation, Alli has subsequently had to make way.
Chances have been there for the player in the Europa Conference League but he has unfortunately failed to take them.
Out of the picture under Jose Mourinho for large parts of last term, Alli has plenty to do if he is to rediscover his top form and hit the heights he achieved in his first few seasons at the club following his move from MK Dons.
"All the players in our squad we have to realise that during their careers there are ups and downs," explained the head coach. "It is my job to try and make the best out of them, Dele included. I don’t look individually when I judge them, I am very fair.
"Dele started very well in the competition and now he is not in his best moment so it is up to us to get him back in the best moment he can."
When pressed on why Dele is not in his "best moment" of late, he added: "If you compare the way we start the competition, but is working hard, he's committed so we have to support and find the right solutions to give him confidence so we can have him back in the best way he can."
Impressing in a midfield three at the start of the season with his workrate as he took up a different position, the 25-year-old has so far struggled back in his favoured No.10 role and just not had an impact in the final third.
So what does Espirito Santo believe is his best position?
"We started with three midfielders, with Skippy, Pierre and Dele. I think he did well, he did well," admitted the former Wolves boss.
"Now he played today in a different position. I think he's versatile enough to do both positions."
On a night in Arnhem when a number of Tottenham players didn't take their chance in the team, Espirito Santo had to do without first-team squad members Matt Doherty and Ryan Sessegnon due to injury,
Previously admitting that the latter is "out for a while" because of his problem, the head coach couldn't put a timeframe on when the versatile left-sided player will be back in action.
"No, not yet. Matt Doherty probably next week will join us. Sessy will take a little bit longer," he admitted.
"Always frustrating. When you have all the squad the better you are.
"Sessy has been struggling since the beginning of the season. He started I think firstly with an injury and then he went to national team and he had another injury that is keeping him away from the work."
At time of speaking after the Vitesse defeat, the head coach reported a clean bill of health in regards to those players who remained back in the capital to prepare for West Ham.
"The players who stayed today back in London worked today [Thursday] and everybody is ok," revealed Espirito Santo.
"Let's see now the players who were involved in the game if they have some kind of issues. I hope there is no major things."
Securing a 1-0 win against Everton last time out in the Premier League, the Hammers will be looking to carry on their decent start to the season by collecting another three points.
David Moyes has really made an impact since returning to the London Stadium as manager and his counterpart has been very impressed by the job he has done.
"A very good team, the core of the team is there," said the Portuguese. "David Moyes is doing a fantastic job and it is going to be a tough game for us.
"All the managers when they join a club need time, that is the nature of football."
Spurs themselves will be looking to carry on their momentum after winning their last two Premier League games.
Harry Kane was on the scoresheet at Newcastle United last week and his boss believes the striker is in a "good moment" now after netting his first Premier League goal of the campaign.
"It was important for Harry, it was important for us," claimed Espirito Santo. "We know Harry is a fantastic football, goals is a part of his game, it will give him confidence and he is in a good moment now."
