DailySun
WHEN Ange Postecoglou initially took over at Tottenham, he successfully fostered a refreshing atmosphere.
Recently, however, his squad has faced challenges due to a series of injuries, prompting some fans to wonder if his innovative tactics are starting to wane.
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The Australian manager now faces the task of demonstrating that his tactics are still effective amidst a challenging schedule and significant injury setbacks, which he claims are the most severe he has encountered in 26 years of coaching.
Currently, his struggling team is on a disappointing streak, with just one win in the last eight matches.
This solitary victory, a 4-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad last month, was hailed as one of their finest performances in Premier League history.
This notable win showcased the potential heights Postecoglou’s team can attain when functioning at their best.
However, as many supporters have noted, this accomplishment feels overshadowed by a 2-1 loss at home to Ipswich and a lackluster defeat to Bournemouth just twelve days later.
As the pressure mounts, Postecoglou has, unusually, criticized one of his players publicly this week.
He deemed Timo Werner’s performance in Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Rangers as “unacceptable.”
Werner struggled against the Scottish side and was replaced at half-time by Dejan Kulusevski, who managed to secure an important point at Ibrox.
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As a Champions League winner and seasoned German international, Postecoglou’s comments about Werner’s performance were certainly warranted.
However, it was striking to hear the Spurs manager take such a public stance against a player.
Ange Postecoglou calls Tottenham flop’s performance ‘unacceptable’ in brutal blast after hauling him off at half-time
This comment followed closely after Postecoglou expressed his reluctance to publicly chastise players regarding Cristian Romero’s remarks about Daniel Levy and the Spurs management.
Postecoglou later clarified that he hadn’t reprimanded Werner in Friday’s press conference, instead framing his remarks as “an assessment of his performance.”
What some may view as a reprimand could also be seen as constructive criticism from another angle.
Nonetheless, for those closely following Postecoglou’s tenure at Spurs, it was significant to witness him publicly address an underperforming loanee.
He further defended his critique with comments that encapsulated Spurs’ current state: “We’re in a fight here.”
Kulusevski mirrored this fighting spirit in a brief interview following the Rangers fixture, stating: “Football is war. You have to be prepared 100 percent. If not, you’ll be eaten alive.”
Injury crisis
So far, Postecoglou has managed to avoid joining the list of coaches who have faltered under Levy’s oversight.
Following Sunday’s 4-3 defeat at home to Chelsea, where Spurs relinquished a 2-0 lead, the prevailing sentiment is that Postecoglou still retains the club’s backing, particularly given the extensive injury list he’s dealt with.
Unavailable for selection are Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert, Mikey Moore, and Richarlison.
Meanwhile, midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur faces a seven-match suspension due to previous racist comments regarding teammate Son Heung-min.
Postecoglou undoubtedly has the support of his players, as evidenced by Romero’s remarks last week despite his criticisms of the board.
Fan sentiments appear mixed, with some questioning whether Postecoglou’s philosophy will yield the promised “glorious” success.
Daniel Levy backing
Some supporters have even voiced their frustration from the stands during a dull 1-0 loss against Bournemouth just over a week ago.
Others contend that the former Celtic manager needs more substantial backing—beyond merely assembling a roster filled with youthful talent for future growth, a characteristic of the club’s summer transfer strategy, apart from the £65 million signing of Dominic Solanke and the re-loaning of Werner.
Chairman Levy’s support for Postecoglou—whom he claimed had “revived our Tottenham ” with his dynamic approach last September—will face scrutiny should performances further decline in upcoming fixtures.
Next up is Southampton, the site of Antonio Conte’s notorious press conference outburst where he criticized the players, ownership, and the club.
Most squads are eager to take on Russell Martin’s faltering side, which has only amassed five points this season and sits eight points adrift of safety.
Nonetheless, they can still showcase quality football on any given day, as recently evidenced by Liverpool’s experience—albeit thwarted by Mohamed Salah’s brilliance.
Possible saving grace
With Spurs frequently squandering opportunities under Postecoglou’s high-octane approach, a victory for the North Londoners feels tantalizingly out of reach.
Following that, they face a critical Carabao Cup quarter-final match against Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United on Thursday.
Cup competitions could serve as a lifeline for Postecoglou this season, enabling him to fulfill his seemingly unfounded assertion from September that “I always win things in my second year” in management.
Nonetheless, departing from Amorim’s squad would raise alarm bells ahead of Liverpool’s visit the subsequent Sunday.
This season, every game appears crucial for Postecoglou due to the stark inconsistency, and it genuinely seems like decisive moments are approaching.
The outcome may hinge on the level of criticism Levy faces from the supporters.
Protests against ENIC, the club’s majority owners, have occurred in the past, with another demonstration reportedly scheduled for the upcoming Liverpool match on December 22.
Historically, Spurs managers have struggled when the authority that appointed them is under scrutiny.
If results do not improve, expect the pressure to mount, jeopardizing Postecoglou’s position.
