Tottenham's Wobbly Season: Can Ange Turn Things Around?
Tottenham Hotspur. Fourteenth place in the Premier League. Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it? This Sunday's match against Manchester United feels massive, a real crossroads moment. Manager Ange Postecoglou, though? He's surprisingly upbeat. After two months of what felt like a never-ending injury crisis – a real nightmare for Spurs – things are finally starting to look a little brighter. Let's dive into what's been going on at Tottenham.
A Season That's Been Anything But Smooth
Honestly, this season’s been a rollercoaster. Out of both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup? Ouch. And the league form? Inconsistent is an understatement. It’s put immense pressure on Postecoglou, no doubt. He’s faced criticism – fair enough, some of it – about tactics and team selection. But he's consistently pointed to the injury crisis as the main culprit. Think Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, and Guglielmo Vicario – all key players spending significant time on the sidelines. That forced Postecoglou to field makeshift defenses, completely disrupting team chemistry. The result? A worrying number of goals conceded. Fifty-seven across all competitions this season – fifth worst in the Premier League. And get this – seventeen of those in 2025 alone! That's...not good.
A Glimmer of Hope?
Here's the good news: Postecoglou finally has a full week without midweek games. A rare luxury! Van de Ven, Romero, and Udogie are back in training. That’s huge. The plan? A bit of rest early in the week, then a full week of focused training for the returning players. The goal is to get them back up to speed and playing cohesively. The return of Maddison and Johnson will also bolster the attack. Having a more complete squad means greater tactical flexibility too. It’s a whole new ballgame.
The Missing Piece of the Puzzle: A Defensive Midfielder
Beyond the injuries, there’s a deeper issue at Tottenham – a chronic lack of a quality defensive midfielder. Think about this: the last time they signed a true number six was Victor Wanyama in 2016! That's a glaring gap. It’s exposed defensive vulnerabilities, adding to the high goal count. Players like Pierre-Emile Højbjerg have stepped up, but they aren't natural defensive midfielders. It’s limited Tottenham’s ability to control the midfield and protect the defense. There's hope, though. The potential summer signing of Johnny Cardoso might finally solve this long-standing problem.
Can Tottenham Bounce Back?
The Manchester United game? It’s a massive test. The injury crisis is easing, but the pressure’s still on. Postecoglou’s future might hinge on this match. Can he stabilize the squad? Can he leverage the return of key players? Can his attacking philosophy adapt and overcome? It’s a lot riding on this. Despite the season's struggles, Tottenham's attack still has potential. With a fully fit squad, there's a genuine chance for a significant improvement. Will they rise to the occasion or continue their downward slide? We'll soon find out.
