Ange Postecoglou is determined to turn around Tottenham's season and rejects suggestions that his players lack confidence.
Tottenham are in 11th place in the Premier League after yesterday's demoralizing 4-3 defeat at home to Chelsea – a game in which they squandered an early 2-0 advantage.
They have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions – a 4-0 win over champions Manchester City, highlighting their lack of consistency – as the pressure begins to fall on their Australian coach.
There were muted boos at the final whistle and Postecoglou knows results need to improve, starting on Thursday when the former Celtic boss returns to Glasgow for a Europa League clash with Rangers.
Ang's evaluation #TOTCHE 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/jCPEYSL358
– Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 8, 2024
“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 progress as a football team and turn our season around,” he said.
Penalty kicks show the players' desperation – Postecoglou
Tottenham's defeat against Chelsea was partly undone by conceding two penalties which were converted by Cole Palmer. The first came after a senseless lunge by Yves Bissouma on Moises Caicedo and the second via an equally ridiculous push from Saar on Palmer.
Postecoglou added: “When I look at the performance, I don't see that they lacked confidence or belief. Maybe it's the other way around. Both of the kicks we conceded were out of desperation.
“I think they are desperate to turn our season around and are really disappointed with the way things have gone. When you are in that mood, you kind of lose your composure and the discipline you need.
“It's not like we're stuck in games. We wouldn't have played like we did if there was a lack of belief and confidence.
He added: “When we get to this situation that we are in, there is also a feeling of desperation among the players and I think that cost us.”
Romero strike
Cristian Romero is unlikely to feature at Ibrox after returning from a toe injury that lasted just 13 minutes as Tottenham's injury problems continue.
“We don't seem to have that kind of ability to gain some strength,” Postecoglou said. “Every time it seems like we are, something comes along and disrupts us.
“People keep pointing to the City game and we lost (goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario) Vitch right after that for three months, so it feels like we're not able to do it, but as I said, they're uncontrollable.
“My role is to try to keep on track with the things we can control and make sure we focus on continuing to grow as a team.”
