Ange Postecoglou is determined to turn Tottenham’s season around and dismissed suggestions his players lack belief.
Spurs are 11th in the Premier League following yesterday’s morale-sapping 4-3 defeat at home to Chelsea – a game in which they let slip an early 2-0 advantage.
They have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions – a 4-0 victory at champions Manchester City that highlighted their inconsistency – with the pressure starting to mount on their Australian boss.
There were muted boos at the final whistle and Postecoglou knows results need to improve, starting on Thursday when the former Celtic manager returns to Glasgow for the Europa League tie with Rangers.
Ange’s assessment of #TOTCHE 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/jCPEYSL358
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 8, 2024
He said: “My role now is to focus on the things I can control and keep preparing the team the best we can to keep progressing as a football team and turn our season around.”
Penalties show players are desperate – Postecoglou
Spurs were partially undone against Chelsea by the concession of two penalties, both converted by Cole Palmer. The first came about following a senseless lunge by Yves Bissouma on Moises Caicedo and the second via an equally silly shove by Pape Sarr on Palmer.
Postecoglou added: “When I look at the performance, I don’t see them lacking confidence or belief. It’s probably the other way. Both penalties we conceded were borne out of desperation.
“I think they are desperate to turn our season around and are really disappointed how it has gone. When you’re in that mood you kind of lose that composure and discipline you need.
“It’s not like we are hanging on in games. We wouldn’t play like we did if there was a lack of belief and confidence.
“When you get into this situation we are in, there is also a sense of desperation from the players and I thought that cost us.”
Romero blow
Cristian Romero is unlikely to play at Ibrox after his return from a toe injury lasted just 13 minutes as Spurs’ injury problems continued.
“We just don’t seem to get that sort of ability to just gain some traction,” said Postecoglou. “Every time we’ve seemed to, something comes along and disrupts us.
“People keep referring to the City game and we lost [goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario] Vic straight afterwards for three months, so it seems like we’re just not able to do that, but like you said, they’re uncontrollables.
“My role is to try and maintain the course of the things we can control and keep making sure we’re focused on continuing to grow as a team.”