Carragher: Postecoglou ‘totally responsible for horrendous’ Tottenham development
Tottenham have been in poor form this season so it’s not surprising that the pressure is piling on Ange Postecoglou’s shoulders as a result.
The Lilywhites find themselves sitting 14th in the Premier League table and have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
With only the Europa League left to play for this term, the boss has all eyes upon him with his future under constant speculation.
Former boss Mauricio Pochettino has now been named as the bookmakers’ favourite to return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Jamie Carragher points finger at Ange Postecoglou
There is no doubt that one of the reasons Spurs have struggled this term is because of the number of injuries in the squad and high-profile players left on the sidelines means the Australian has been left with a light squad.
However, there has to be questions asked about Postecoglou’s style of football too when analysing the reasons why Spurs are suffering this term.
Not only are the players being asked to play with much higher intensity than they have been used to in the past, but the boss’ stubbornness is having detrimental effects.
While it is understandable that Postecoglou wants to put his own mark on the side, you have to be able to adapt your side to suit the players you do have available and the Australian hasn’t showed signs of doing so thus far.
Speaking to the Daily Mail (14 February), Carragher admitted that the boss cannot be exempt from criticism as he said: “These damning statistics [losing 25 of 52 games in charge] absorb poor performances before and after the recent horrendous injury list, which, depending on your faith in the manager, is either partially or totally responsible for Tottenham’s current troubles.
“In this situation you cannot disassociate the injuries from the playing style. Their principles are the same in all circumstances, the onus being on the players to keep pressing high whatever the situation and score.
“The reality is this: if you insist on only driving in the fast lane, your tyres are going to wear quicker.
Ange Postecoglou has limited time to save Tottenham future
When looking at Tottenham’s current state, it only seems fair to put some blame at the door of different parties.
Daniel Levy cannot avoid criticism of his lack of financial backing for Tottenham over a number of seasons and that was reinforced this term when he failed to back Postecoglou as much as he needed to in the winter transfer window to provide injury cover.
However, as mentioned by Carragher, the boss has to take a look at his team and realise that something is not working to identify and overcome it. By being ignorant to the issues and putting things solely down to injuries is not going to allow the North London outfit to push on.
Conversations surrounding the future of Postecoglou are as loud as they have ever been and given the boss has reiterated the point that he always wins a trophy in his second season with a club, there is increased pressure on him to deliver.