• Saturday, December 14, 2024
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Postecoglou takes responsibility for Tottenham’s struggles

Ange-Postecoglou

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has taken responsibility for the team’s inconsistent start to the season. Despite flashes of promise, Spurs have struggled to maintain momentum, with their recent 2-1 League Cup defeat to Ipswich Town underlining ongoing issues.

Postecoglou admitted that recent performances have fallen short of expectations, and he emphasized the need to address these inconsistencies. “It’s just down to me,” he told BBC Sport. “I’m not getting consistent performances from the players. It’s something I need to address. I take responsibility when their performances don’t meet the levels they should.”

Asked by Sky Sports if this season’s inconsistency was new for him, Postecoglou responded, “No, it’s been our season so far. It’s been really inconsistent.”

In the Ipswich match, Tottenham found themselves trailing 2-0 at halftime after goals from Sam Szmodics and Liam Delap. Rodrigo Bentancur’s late header narrowed the gap, but Spurs couldn’t find an equalizer. The team’s tendency to concede early has been notable, with Tottenham falling behind 1-0 in 13 of their 15 home Premier League matches in 2024—a record surpassed only by Spurs in 1994, Ipswich in 1994, and Crystal Palace in 2017.

“There are different reasons [for it],” Postecoglou explained to BBC Radio 5 Live. “Today we were way too passive. If you give the opposition that much of a head start, it’s a lot to claw back.”

Following Tottenham’s September defeat to Arsenal in the North London derby, Postecoglou had stated, “I always win things in my second season” and expressed confidence that Spurs could still challenge for silverware this season. However, with a demanding fixture list ahead, he faces the challenge of stabilizing the team’s form and reviving their European ambitions.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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