Tottenham started their Premier League season with a bang as they saw off Aston Villa with a 3-1 victory, but it was an exclusion which got everybody talking.
Mauricio Pochettino made the call to leave out Jan Verthongen, but with no injury apparent it was a decision which caused confusion for the usual ever-present.
Explaining his decision on Sky Sports, Pochettino said: "I want to play the players who deserve to play, who I think to deserve to play and who are playing well.
"My decision today was to play Toby. If the players didn't play today, they need to work hard to get their opportunity.
"With all the players fit you struggle to find a starting 11," he added. "We have more than 25 players and everyone needs to understand we have plenty of good players in every position. We can only play with 11.
"It's always the judgement of the manager and the coaching staff.
"After five years I'm going to play the players who deserve to play, there is not any issue but my decision today was play with Toby and Davinson to provide a good balance for the team."
But speaking after the match, Spurs favourite Rafael Van Der Vaart gave his verdict on the situation and said he wouldn't be surprised if it was a fallout over a request to leave.
He said: "I'm surprised because he is one of the best players.
"It was strange that he was not in the squad. Maybe something happens and he said he wants to go.
"When he's fit, he's a hundred percent a starting player."
