Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou warned "there is no quick fix" for his side despite their dramatic late win over Championship side Coventry City in the Carabao Cup third round. Brennan Johnson scored a 93rd-minute winner as two late goals helped Tottenham come from behind and paper over an underwhelming performance.

Tottenham struggled for large periods and fell behind when Brandon Thomas-Asante gave the hosts a deserved lead, sweeping in Norman Bassette's low cross in the 63rd minute. But Djed Spence equalised for the Premier League outfit in the 88th minute after being put through by Dejan Kulusevski. Five minutes later, Johnson completed the turnaround with a composed finish after a fine through-ball from Rodrigo Bentancur.

The win came as a big relief to Postecoglou, who made headlines before the match with the assertion that he always won a trophy in his second season at a club and had fielded a much-changed line-up. Until the late goals, Coventry had looked headed for a deserved upset.

"We had to just hang in there somehow and we did," Postecoglou told Sky Sports. "We weren't fluent or cohesive. I have consistently said there is no easy or quick fix to where we want to get to and one result doesn't change that."

Victory ended Spurs’ two-match losing run and ensured the north London club would be in next Wednesday’s last 16 draw. Postecoglou added that Wednesday's performance could give his side that "little bit of belief" to kick on this season especially as they continue to digest Sunday’s derby defeat by Arsenal.

"Tonight we showed what we have been missing the first four games," he said. "A little bit of spirit to fight our way and find a way to win a game of football."

Even so, Spurs were second-best for the first 88 minutes at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Analyzing Tottenham's Performance

Tottenham's performance against Coventry raised concerns about their ability to convert possession into meaningful attacking chances. This issue, which persisted throughout the first four Premier League matches, became even more apparent in this cup encounter. The majority of Spurs' reserve players appeared lost and unable to utilize the ball effectively in the box.

The performance of Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert, both of whom were injured during the game, was particularly underwhelming. While Odobert might need more time to adapt, Werner's performance was characterized by a lack of direction and a lack of understanding of how to utilize the ball effectively. Despite Pape Sarr's energetic play, he didn't display the same box-invading runs that characterized his previous season. Rodrigo Bentancur's performance was also underwhelming.

Even after the introduction of first-team players like Son Heung-Min and James Maddison, Tottenham struggled to convert their expected threat (xT) into meaningful expected goals (xG) until the very end of the game. For a significant portion of the second half, Spurs dominated possession with 73% control but managed to generate only 0.10 xG while trailing 1-0. This demonstrates a lack of attacking efficiency that is deeply troubling.

The Question of Goalkeeping

Fraser Forster's performance as Tottenham's backup goalkeeper has been a topic of much debate. His shaky start to the game, nearly leading to a Coventry goal, combined with his slow reaction times both on and off his line, raised concerns about his suitability for the role. His propensity for diving like a "felled redwood tree falling over" also added to the unease.

In light of Forster's performance, particularly his potential liability on penalties, the need for a more reliable backup goalkeeper becomes evident. This is especially true if Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham's first-choice keeper, suffers an injury.

Spence and Johnson Shine

The performance of Djed Spence, who came on as a substitute at halftime, provided a glimmer of hope for Tottenham. His commitment to getting the ball forward and running at Coventry's defenders was evident throughout his time on the pitch. He was rewarded with Spurs' first goal, capitalizing on a clever flick from Dejan Kulusevski. While Spence's overall performance was not perfect, he demonstrated the necessary qualities to contribute effectively.

Brennan Johnson, who had received criticism for his previous performances, redeemed himself by scoring the game-winning goal. His effectiveness as a late substitute was on full display, providing a vital contribution to Tottenham's victory. Johnson's goal serves as a welcome boost of confidence for a player who has been subjected to unwarranted online abuse.

While Tottenham escaped Coventry with a win, the game served as a stark reminder of the work still needed to be done for them to achieve their ambitions this season.