Ange Postecoglou says everyone at Tottenham Hotspur is "united" in what he and his coaching staff are trying to do despite the club being in their worst run of form for 17 years - saying "something special" can happen when Spurs' raft of injured players return to action.
Spurs surrendered a one-goal half-time lead to lose 2-1 at home to Leicester City on Sunday. They have now lost six of their last seven Premier League matches, drawing the other, meaning they are on their longest winless league run since May 2008.
Spurs' last seven PL matches
Sunday's match was the first time since 1912 that Spurs had lost at home against a side on a seven-match losing streak. They lost it because of conceding two goals in the opening five minutes of the second half, the first time Spurs had done so since 1997.
Spurs have now won only five points from the last 33 available in the Premier League, with only bottom-club Southampton winning fewer in that period. Furthermore, they are the only team to lose at home this season to both Leicester AND Ipswich.
They've also lost 18 of their last 30 Premier League matches, with Wolverhampton Wanderers (20 losses) the only ever-present side to lose more in that time.
Pressure is now mounting on Postecoglou, whose side are 15th in the Premier League table, just eight points above the relegation zone. But the Australian says the Spurs board and his players believe in what he is trying to achieve amidst an injury crisis that left 10 senior players unavailable on Sunday.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 |
Spurs
TOT
|
23 | +9 | 24 |
| 16 |
Everton
EVE
|
22 | -9 | 23 |
| 17 |
Leicester
LEI
|
23 | -24 | 17 |
| 18 |
Wolves
WOL
|
23 | -20 | 16 |
| 19 |
Ipswich
IPS
|
23 | -26 | 16 |
| 20 |
Southampton
SOU
|
23 | -37 | 6 |
"It hurts. It hurts a lot," Postecoglou told Sky Sports.
"The players are giving everything they can. That is all we can ask for as a football club and as a manager. They are trying their hardest and that is all anyone can ask for.
"When you're in this situation, they are trying as hard as they can and sometimes that doesn't give you the clarity in decision-making. I know it will turn. We'll get some players back, we were short again today but in the next couple of weeks there's some really important players coming back that I know will help this group."
In his post-match press conference, Postecoglou added: “The players are committed to what we’re doing. That’s important to me. I believe in it. This is as low as we’ve been this year but in the next three months we can do something really special. The players believe that. Right now it’s hard to visualise that with our circumstances. Just look at the absences but they will be back. All these things aren’t allowing us to get any momentum. When those things change we can make an impact."
When asked if he feels if his job is at risk, he replied: "Who knows? A fair chunk will say no.
"When you are a manager of a football club, you can feel vulnerable and isolated, I don’t feel that. The players are giving everything. I focus on that and try and support the players.
"When I took the role I wanted to unify the club, focusing on the one thing. It hasn’t worked out that way. It’s understandable the fans aren’t happy with the situation. It’s a difficult one to navigate. We need the fans right now to create an atmosphere. We did that versus Liverpool – it was a great night. The players are giving everything – that needs to be acknowledged by everyone.
"We've not hit a ceiling. We've been going like this for two months. They [the players] put in an enormous performance on Thursday to make sure we're OK in Europe and they had to back it up today but there were probably at least two or three players that weren't at 100 per cent.
"I'm a football manager and I get judged on results, that is the way of the world.
“I don’t speak regularly to him [Daniel Levy, chairman]. Players and staff are united in what we’re trying to do. I’m not trying to convince people about where we’re heading. That’s where I get the solace to say we can believe. I believe in this group of players. Even today, some of the performances were outstanding. That’s all positive but ultimately we’ve lost the focus is on that.
"The players are giving everything they can. Two players shouldn’t have been out there but they are desperate to turn our fortunes around. In the next 10 days we should get some significant players back which will help. We still have fantastic opportunities to make an impact – I’m sure that will happen."
Postecoglou: Even available players are injured
Postecoglou revealed that midfielder Pape Sarr was one of the players not at 100 per cent and playing through the pain against Leicester, while James Maddison missed out with muscle soreness following Thursday's UEFA Europa League win at Hoffenheim, meaning Spurs were unable to fill their nine spots on the substitutes' bench on Sunday.
He also said that Richarlison has a groin problem and that was why he took the striker off - a substitution that was met with boos at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs' injured players
| Player | Injury | Latest Update |
| Cristian Romero | Muscle | Details |
| Destiny Udogie | Hamstring | Details |
| Micky van de Ven | Hamstring | Details |
| Guglielmo Vicario | Ankle | Details |
| Wilson Odobert | Hamstring | Details |
| Timo Werner | Hamstring | Details |
| Brennan Johnson | Muscle | Details |
| Dominic Solanke | Knee | Details |
| Djed Spence | Knock | Details |
| James Maddison | Knock | Details |
| Richarlison | Groin | - |
But when asked if January signings are on the way to help alleviate Spurs' injury crisis, Postecoglou said he is unaware of any imminent incomings ahead of the winter transfer window closing on 3 February.
"The players need help. The club is working hard to alleviate those problems. Pape Sarr shouldn’t have played today – he wasn’t fit. The players are giving everything - we can’t call off games, we have another one in three days' time. The players are having to front up. The injury situation will ease, that will help. One more player coming in in the short term would help us to navigate us through the next two weeks. It’s been a hard slog for the players."
Sherwood: Spurs' season can still be a success
Spurs' Premier League form has been poor, but they take a 1-0 first-leg lead to Liverpool in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup next month, while they also remain in the FA Cup - facing Aston Villa in the fourth round. Furthermore, if they beat Swedish side Elfsborg at home on Thursday, they will qualify for the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League.
Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood, a former manager of Spurs, says Postecoglou is not the problem at the club and believes the head coach needs more support with quality signings.
"The pressure's mounting because of the losses," Sherwood said. "But they're in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup semi-finals, taking a lead to Liverpool. And they're favourites to win the Europa League.
"What's the point of changing the manager? Who are they going to get? They've had the trophy managers, the Jose Mourinhos, the Antonio Contes. The glaring problem for me is the recruitment. It's where the money is being spent. Give Ange some help. Changing the manager will do nothing.
"They could win the Europa League end up in the Champions League [qualifying for next season because of winning the Europa League] and it's the best season ever. I really feel for him. I admire that he takes it on the chin and doesn't look for excuses."
