Tottenham have proved they have the squad to handle the Europa League’s early stages but is it powerful enough to sustain them for the remainder of the season?

After watching an unfamiliar starting XI despatch Monaco 4-1, manager Mauricio Pochettino was keen to emphasise the quality of his fringe players, but we still do not know whether his faith in them is justified.

The law of averages suggests that, sooner or later, Tottenham will lose a key player or two to injury. How would they manage if Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Dele Alli or Harry Kane were unavailable?

No problem, according to Pochettino, because he believes those who do not command a place in his first-choice XI — such as Kieran Trippier, Kevin Wimmer, Josh Onomah and Clinton N’Jie — are good enough to step in.

Tottenham vs Monaco - player ratings 14 show all Tottenham vs Monaco - player ratings 1/14 Hugo Lloris: 6 The Frenchman was rarely tested but could do little about El Shaarawy's strike. However, although he kicked well he also failed to deal with a couple of crosses with his usual reliability. 2/14 Kieran Trippier: 6 The full-back produced an accomplished display. His confidence appears to be on the up after a somewhat uninspiring start to his Spurs career. 3/14 Toby Alderweireld: 7 The Belgian was comfortable throughout and stifled the powerful presence of Lacina Traore with ease. Relished a chance to take the lead in Vertonghen's absence. 4/14 Kevin Wimmer: 6 The centre back was handed a rare start by Pochettino and provided a solid presence. However, he needs regular minutes if he is to progress and shake off his indecisiveness. 5/14 Ben Davies: 6 Pushed forward to help make Spurs' dominance count early on with an assist for the opening goal. Pressing for a Premier League return ahead of Danny Rose. 6/14 Tom Carroll: 7 Passed confidently and outshone the likes of Monaco's Joao Moutinho. Displayed superb composure and excellent technique to score his first Spurs goal late on. 7/14 Eric Dier: 6 Provided a typically sturdy presence in the centre of the park before he was, worryingly, withdrawn with a foot injury. It appeared to be a precautionary move from Pochettino. 8/14 Joshua Onomah: 7 The youngster impressed on his full debut for Spurs. He was a bright spark and proved to be a constant menace for the Monaco defence. Another excellent Academy prospect. 9/14 Heung-min Son: 8 The South Korean claimed two assists and made Spurs tick in midfield. Drifted across the front line and showed off his vision and passing repertoire in style. 10/14 Erik Lamela: 9 Everything the Argentine touched turned to gold. His first-half hat-trick put Spurs in full control courtesy of a couple of composed finishes and a helping hand from the Monaco goalkeeper. 11/14 Clinton N'Jie: 7 The Cameroonian worked tirelessly and tracked back time and time again. His confidence is building and he was unlucky not to cap his display with a goal. 12/14 Nabil Bentaleb: 6 The midfielder had the bit between his teeth and he will need to continue in such a vein if he is going to force his way back into the starting line-up after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. 13/14 Nacer Chadli: 6 The Belgian made a successful return from injury but made little impact after his introduction. Crucial to get competitive minutes under his belt. 14/14 Dele Alli: 6 Introduced late on, the youngster's progress is highlighted by the fact he is now seen as above the competition. 1/14 Hugo Lloris: 6 The Frenchman was rarely tested but could do little about El Shaarawy's strike. However, although he kicked well he also failed to deal with a couple of crosses with his usual reliability. 2/14 Kieran Trippier: 6 The full-back produced an accomplished display. His confidence appears to be on the up after a somewhat uninspiring start to his Spurs career. 3/14 Toby Alderweireld: 7 The Belgian was comfortable throughout and stifled the powerful presence of Lacina Traore with ease. Relished a chance to take the lead in Vertonghen's absence. 4/14 Kevin Wimmer: 6 The centre back was handed a rare start by Pochettino and provided a solid presence. However, he needs regular minutes if he is to progress and shake off his indecisiveness. 5/14 Ben Davies: 6 Pushed forward to help make Spurs' dominance count early on with an assist for the opening goal. Pressing for a Premier League return ahead of Danny Rose. 6/14 Tom Carroll: 7 Passed confidently and outshone the likes of Monaco's Joao Moutinho. Displayed superb composure and excellent technique to score his first Spurs goal late on. 7/14 Eric Dier: 6 Provided a typically sturdy presence in the centre of the park before he was, worryingly, withdrawn with a foot injury. It appeared to be a precautionary move from Pochettino. 8/14 Joshua Onomah: 7 The youngster impressed on his full debut for Spurs. He was a bright spark and proved to be a constant menace for the Monaco defence. Another excellent Academy prospect. 9/14 Heung-min Son: 8 The South Korean claimed two assists and made Spurs tick in midfield. Drifted across the front line and showed off his vision and passing repertoire in style. 10/14 Erik Lamela: 9 Everything the Argentine touched turned to gold. His first-half hat-trick put Spurs in full control courtesy of a couple of composed finishes and a helping hand from the Monaco goalkeeper. 11/14 Clinton N'Jie: 7 The Cameroonian worked tirelessly and tracked back time and time again. His confidence is building and he was unlucky not to cap his display with a goal. 12/14 Nabil Bentaleb: 6 The midfielder had the bit between his teeth and he will need to continue in such a vein if he is going to force his way back into the starting line-up after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. 13/14 Nacer Chadli: 6 The Belgian made a successful return from injury but made little impact after his introduction. Crucial to get competitive minutes under his belt. 14/14 Dele Alli: 6 Introduced late on, the youngster's progress is highlighted by the fact he is now seen as above the competition.

It is one thing to pass the test against a disorganised, dispirited Monaco side. It is quite another to do so in the last eight of the Europa League, or against a direct rival for a place in the top four of the Premier League, during the closing weeks of the campaign.

Either way, it looks certain Tottenham will be relatively minor players during the January transfer window, and it is a sign of the progress made by Pochettino’s team that most of their fans will react calmly if the club do not make a high-profile signing next month.

In recent years, the winter window has always delivered on certain matters. Television presenters are excited when a fringe player leaves Stoke to join a League One side on loan for the rest of the season.

Clubs fail to complete deals before the deadline despite having had 31 days in which to do so.

Tottenham supporters plead with their chairman, Daniel Levy, to strengthen the squad, and they descend into utter despair when he does not oblige. This time, though, it will surely be different.

Yes, Tottenham’s cause would be helped if they could find reliable back-up for Kane, or a little more experience in central midfield. But if no new player arrives, there will be no drama. Pochettino is convinced that the men he has can do the job just fine.

On one level, it is a risk. Some of the back-up players lack Premier League experience and others, like Trippier, have looked uncertain when they have had a chance.

Yet all have trained exhaustively to understand Pochettino’s energetic, high-pressing style of play. For a player who joined in mid-season, it would be difficult to adapt sufficiently quickly.

Pochettino bridles when he is asked why he appears to do his best work with younger players, but the fact is there: many times this season, the average age of Tottenham’s starting XI has been less than 25.

Younger minds and bodies can absorb his exacting methods more quickly than older ones can — especially when they have had a full pre-season in which to do so. As much as he rejects the idea publicly, Pochettino knows this and it is why he believes adding to the squad might be more of a gamble than leaving it alone.

The team rely heavily on Kane for goals but after scoring a hat-trick last night, Erik Lamela took his goal tally for the season to seven, three fewer than Spurs’ top scorer. While all three of his goals against Monaco were aided by poor defending, the £30million record signing’s confidence is higher than it has ever been since he joined the club, and he will surely retain his place against Newcastle on Sunday.

“It was the perfect game to show we have a strong squad,” said Pochettino. His optimism was understandable but his verdict premature. We must wait until the spring to see whether it is correct.

