A crazy high line is hurting Tottenham - Ange Postecoglou must follow Arsene Wenger's lead and adapt to survive as the pressure piles up, writes MARTIN KEOWN

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A crazy high line is hurting Tottenham - Ange Postecoglou must follow Arsene Wenger's lead and adapt to survive as the pressure piles up, writes MARTIN KEOWN
Published: Dec, 27 2024 22:41

Tottenham are a club so torn that the atmosphere risks turning toxic if their next three games – all at home and starting with tomorrow’s visit of Wolves – continue the downward trend they’re on. You can feel the division in the fanbase, some dialling into radio phone-ins to point the finger at Ange Postecoglou, others calling for Daniel Levy's head, a dwindling number saying they're satisfied with the 100mph football on show.

 [The Australian has refused to adapt his brand of 100mph football despite suffering yet another defeat on Boxing Day]
Image Credit: Mail Online [The Australian has refused to adapt his brand of 100mph football despite suffering yet another defeat on Boxing Day]

It is no good being seen as the Premier League's great entertainers if your play does not also produce results, and right now, the fact is Tottenham are closer to the relegation zone than the top four. Spurs are hellbent on high pressing with a back four that park themselves on the halfway line to condense the space.

 [Arsene Wenger found himself in a similar situation when he first took the reins at Arsenal]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Arsene Wenger found himself in a similar situation when he first took the reins at Arsenal]

They had 71 per cent possession at Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, and yet Postecoglou’s plan of attack was undone by Nuno Espirito Santo’s more streetwise strategy as a single counter-attack inflicted a ninth Premier League defeat of the campaign on Spurs.

 [But with several defensive stars missing Postecoglou seems a long way from finding the necessary balance]
Image Credit: Mail Online [But with several defensive stars missing Postecoglou seems a long way from finding the necessary balance]

Now, it's Vitor Pereira’s Wolves coming to town. They no longer look like a soft touch after back-to-back wins over Leicester and Manchester United, but Tottenham could do with a convincing victory to appease their supporters. Pressure is piling on Ange Postecoglou after Tottenham endured a poor recent run of results.

 [He needs to prove he can be adaptable in the coming weeks with his future at the club potentially at stake]
Image Credit: Mail Online [He needs to prove he can be adaptable in the coming weeks with his future at the club potentially at stake]

The Australian has refused to adapt his brand of 100mph football despite suffering yet another defeat on Boxing Day. I respect Postecoglou for trying to change the culture of the club and in a way, it is admirable that he is so bullish in backing his high-energy philosophy.

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