Tottenham have slumped to 15th in the Premier League after their horror run of form continued with a 3-2 loss at Everton, but manager Ange Postecoglou retains the support of the club’s board, the PA news agency understands.
Spurs’ 12th defeat of the league campaign made it five losses from their last six fixtures in the division to spark relegation fears.
However, Postecoglou’s position is safe and here PA looks at what has gone wrong for the north London club.
Busy physio room
Tottenham were without 10 players for this latest poor result, with leading scorers Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson the newest members in the treatment room. Player availability has hampered the club throughout the last two months, with first-choice defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven only able to make one appearance since December. Further selection issues mean Archie Gray, just 18 and predominantly a midfielder, has started the last 11 fixtures in the unfamiliar role of centre-back.
Why so many injuries?
Eyebrows were raised when Postecoglou brought back Romero and Van de Ven to start the 4-3 loss to Chelsea on December 8 in what appeared a risk. It backfired on Postecoglou as both failed to finish the clash and they are not due back until later this month, but he has also been dealt a fair share of bad luck. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario fractured his ankle in November and Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-match domestic suspension arrived during the busiest time of the season. A lack of alternatives has meant available players have been run into the ground amid a period of 14 fixtures since December 1 where Spurs have only won four times.
Can January help?
Postecoglou acknowledged in December they needed reinforcements and has repeated it in most press conferences since, but Tottenham’s only addition has been goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. Kinsky made an immediate impression with a fine debut in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. However, Postecoglou has seen the club’s efforts to bring in more players fall on deaf ears so far and he is now without Solanke and Johnson for the foreseeable future. The pair are third and fourth in terms of minutes played for Spurs this season, but with games every three days, Postecoglou’s ability to manage game time has been compromised by a list of absentees which has frequently been around double figures since November.
How is Postecoglou still in a job?
It is easy to forget but Tottenham were sixth and only three points off Arsenal after a remarkable 4-0 win at Manchester City on November 23. That victory was the calm before the storm and while results have deteriorated at an alarming rate, Postecoglou has masterminded cup successes over Manchester United and Liverpool amid a crippling list of absentees. It is thought there is an understanding amongst the club board over the current injury crisis. Nevertheless, results must improve and Postecoglou and Spurs will aim to arrest their slump during a key week where a Europa League trip to Hoffenheim on Thursday is followed by Sunday’s visit of lowly Leicester.
