5 things we learnt from Tottenham Hotspur's UEFA Champions League clash against APOEL FC 

2) Spurs may have to switch to a back four

Defending the citadel

Although the scoreline 3-0 indicates that Spurs cruised against APOEL, that was not the case. On many occasions, APOEL's forwards had Spurs on the ropes.

The Cypriot club even came close to taking a 1-0 lead when Igor De Camargo’s fierce left-footed strike rebounded off the crossbar in the 19th minute.

Although the likes of Alderweireld, Sanchez and Davies (Jan Vertonghen is facing a one-match suspension following red card) are all quality players, and were marshalling Spurs’ defence, the backline seems stretched on occasions.

However, when Spurs brought on a striker, Fernando Llorente, in place of the full-back Serge Aurier, Spurs’ formation switched to 4-4-2 and the backline looked more relaxed, prompting many to believe that it is a necessary change for games in the near future.