Postecoglou promises to turn Tottenham’s season around

Ange Postecoglou is determined to turn Tottenham’s season around and dismissed suggestions his players lack faith.

Spurs are 11th in the Premier League after yesterday’s 4-3 defeat at home to Chelsea – a game in which they let go of an early 2-0 lead.

They have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions – a 4-0 win at champions Manchester City which highlighted their inconsistency – and the pressure is starting to mount on their Australian boss.

There were soft whistles at the final whistle and Postecoglou knows results must improve, starting on Thursday when the former Celtic manager returns to Glasgow for a Europa League clash with Rangers.

Ange’s assessment #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 continue to prepare the team as best we can to continue to improve as a football team and turn our season around.”

Penalties show that the players are desperate – Postecoglou

Spurs partially overturned their defeat against Chelsea by conceding two penalties, both converted by Cole Palmer. The first came after Yves Bissouma’s pointless tackle on Moises Caicedo, and the second with Pape Sarr’s equally stupid hit on Palmer.

Postecoglou added: “When I look at the performance, I don’t see that they lack confidence or belief. It’s probably the other way around. We took both penalties we received out of desperation.

“I think they’re desperate to turn our season around and they’re really disappointed with how it went. When you are in such a mood, you lose your composure and the discipline you need.

“It’s not like we stick to games. We wouldn’t be playing the way we are if we lacked faith and confidence.

“When you get into this situation that we’re in, there’s also a sense of desperation from the players and I thought that cost us.”

Romero kick

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 have that kind of ability to just get some traction,” Postecoglou said. “Every time we feel like it, something appears and disturbs us.

“People keep referring to the City game and we lost (keeper Guglielmo Vicario) Vic straight after for three months, so we just don’t seem to be able to do it, but like you said, they’re out of control.

“My role is to try to keep things going that we can control and make sure we’re focused on continuing to grow as a team.”