BT Sport pundits Peter Crouch and Joe Cole have offered their views on Mauricio Pochettino's decision to rest Dele Alli.
The England international featured for Tottenham during their shock 2-2 draw at Olympiakos in midweek, as Spurs let a two-goal lead slip in the Champions League clash.
Fast-forward to Saturday's lunchtime kick-off with Leicester City, and Alli was left out of the squad completely, with Christian Eriksen dropped to the bench.
Former Tottenham star Crouch feels that Alli has ended up becoming a bit of a scapegoat after the disappointing draw at Olympiakos.
"He has had injuries. I don't think the manager was pleased midweek," Crouch told BT Sport before the Leicester match.
"[Pochettino] said publicly that he wasn't pleased, and I think in the dressing room he will have knocked a few heads [together]. Dele's situation will have been a product of that."
Meanwhile, former Chelsea man Cole insists the decision from Pochettino might just be the 'kick' that Alli needs to regain his form.
"The resting shout is one for the media. He has not been the player we know he can be," Cole added. "That's just a little kick from Pochettino to inspire Dele to get back to his best form."
