Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, channeled a classic quote from the film Gladiator after his team’s thrilling victory over Manchester United, asking, “Are you not entertained?” This statement was a nod to his adventurous playing style, which resulted in an exhilarating yet nerve-wracking 4-3 win in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, where Spurs almost squandered a 3-0 lead.
However, the blend of excitement and vulnerability in Postecoglou’s tactics became painfully evident during their recent match against Liverpool, where Spurs suffered a heavy 6-3 defeat at home. Despite this loss, Liverpool’s win showcased their dominance and likely solidified their position at the top of the title race, leaving Spurs in 11th place and eight points shy of fourth position.
The matches under Postecoglou have certainly entertained fans, but they also highlight a team struggling defensively, as shown by the staggering 30 goals scored in Spurs’ last five games, with 10 coming against them in back-to-back home league losses to Chelsea and Liverpool. In the case of the Liverpool match, the imbalance in expected goals – 4.6 for Liverpool versus 1.2 for Spurs – starkly illustrated the latter’s defensive frailties.
It’s important to note that Spurs have been coping without key players, including first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, and central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. These absences are significant for a team employing such an open strategy, particularly given Van de Ven’s crucial role in maintaining an effective high defensive line. Even with these challenges, Postecoglou has opted for continuity, fielding the same squad against Liverpool that faced Manchester United, highlighting the limited options available due to injuries.
On the other hand, Liverpool’s consistency has been remarkable this season, with 12 victories and three draws from 16 league matches, boasting an impressive goal difference of +21.
While the recent defeats may be disheartening for Spurs supporters, the team’s attacking philosophy under Postecoglou promises an exciting future. With a focus on player recovery and reinforcement, Spurs can hope to re-establish their competitiveness and find a balance that enhances both their offense and defense. With time and the return of injured players, there remains optimism for an upswing in fortunes as the season progresses.