Tottenham Hotspur FC - Transfer news, results, fixtures, video and audio (original) (raw)
We asked for your thoughts after Tottenham's late comeback against Coventry City in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night. Here are some of your comments: Devlan: Embarrassing. How many times are we going to find ourselves in these situations? When is a Tottenham player going to take control and show some class? We got away with it in this game but it highlights the continuing problems under Ange. We look awful and easy to score against. Who is actually directing this team? Craig: That was a hard watch. Spurs lacked any real quality. It was such a poor display which, after a poor display on Sunday, makes you wonder where Spurs are heading. Spurs got out of jail, but only because Coventry presented them with the key and not because they unlocked the Sky Blues with quality. Fans won't put up with performances like this for very long. Jonesy: The players look bereft of ideas with the ball and all over the place in defence. Given the performance at the weekend, I cannot understand why Ange didn't start his best XI and use this as an opportunity to build confidence and establish some rhythm in our play. Instead he sent out a team of strangers, who were individually poor and collectively worse. Dan: Ange has to now realise that his one way of playing is NOT working. It's time he starts trying some other formats. If he doesn't have any other styles of play, I'm afraid Spurs will continue to get mugged off week in week out and will end another season empty-handed outside of the top six. Stop being stubborn Ange. Edward: It was a win. Good - now give Ange a break and let him get on with his job in peace. He is only in his second season in charge, so he has got to be given plenty of time. Mikel Arteta has been in charge of Arsenal for years and only now is he really reaping his rewards. Ange is the best manager we have had since Mauricio Pochettino. Let Ange develop and deliver our results! Charlie: This season is already looking like a copy of last season. We look like an absolute mess. We were flattered at Everton but we are getting found out now. Ange seems out of his depth and, from his comments about winning things in his second season, I can only think he knows he is not going to last until May.
Image source, Getty Images Tottenham goalscorer Brennan Johnson speaking to Sky Sports after helping his side to a late comeback against Coventry City: "It was really difficult. There wasn't one part of us that underestimated Coventry. We have played them a few times and we know they play good football. "At times, we let them off too easily and gave them too many chances. We were under some real pressure, but we will always keep going." On the chaos during the game: "That has happened too many times - where it has been a bit too chaotic. We gave the ball away too many times and we weren't too much of a threat. For most of the game, we didn't play forward enough. The goals came from quick play and that is what we want to do more often." On his goal: "It was really nice. It is a great feeling to score, especially so late on. Getting into the next round is really important and penalties are a toss of a coin, so getting my goal was very beneficial."
Image source, Getty Images Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a tough game. Credit to Coventry, I thought they were outstanding. They really took it to us. "We had to hang in there somehow and we did. In the end, credit to the lads. It was a typical cup tie." On the performance: "We weren't as fluid performance-wise. Some of that is down to Coventry, they played with high-energy. In the end I was pleased both for Djed [Spence] and Brennan [Johnson]. They have come on and made the difference for us and made a difference in the game." On what Brennan Johnson's goal will do for his confidence: "Hopefully a great deal. He's a fantastic young man, a great player. "I have a lot of time for him because he works so hard every day. He took his goal well tonight and he made a good impact." On how significant tonight's result is for Spurs: "There is no easy or quick fix to where we want to get to and one result doesn't change that. Tonight we showed what we have been missing the first four games, a little bit of spirit to fight and win. We have lacked a little bit of an edge and hopefully tonight gives the boys a little bit of belief."
Joe Rindl BBC Sport journalist Image source, Getty Images Two late goals rescued Tottenham against Coventry and also papered over an underwhelming performance. "We had to just hang in there somehow and we did," manager Ange Postecoglou told Sky Sports after his side's win. "We weren't fluent or cohesive." As Postecoglou says, Spurs were not at it on Wednesday night. They were pretty much second-best for the first 88 minutes at the Coventry Building Society Arena. But Djed Spence did show some quality when he equalised after being put through by Dejan Kulusevski. Moments later, Johnson completed the turnaround with a composed finish after a fine through-ball from Rodrigo Bentancur. Victory ended Spurs’ two-match losing run and ensured the north London club would be in next Wednesday’s last 16 draw. The result also kept alive one of Tottenham's 2024/25 trophy chances in the same week manager Postecoglou received some negative reaction for saying he "always" wins silverware in his second season. So, while the performance was not there, on the whole a win is still something to be positive about. Postecoglou added to Sky Sports: "I have consistently said there is no easy or quick fix to where we want to get to and one result doesn't change that. "Tonight we showed what we have been missing the first four games, a little bit of spirit to fight our way and find a way to win a game of football."
Nick Godwin BBC Radio London reporter Image source, Getty Images When Wilson Odobert raced down Tottenham's right late on in Sunday's north London derby, he appeared to have a bevy of options in front of him; players arriving in support, others heading straight for the penalty spot, runners streaming forward, left and right. And yet he seemed paralysed by the thought of what to do next. He hesitated, Arsenal pounced and Tottenham's last real chance for an equaliser came to nothing. Indecision was a real theme for the home side on Sunday, particularly in the final third. James Maddison (pictured), who 12 months ago was popping up in every conceivable pocket of space, seemed to panic whenever he got into a decent position. Dominic Solanke, on his home debut, could have shot at goal early on but dithered. The only players willing to have a crack were Dejan Kulusevski and, erm, Pape Sarr. The less said about his efforts, the better. Ange Postecoglou picked up on this drop in confidence in his comments post match. He accepted he needs to find a way to raise the confidence levels of these players so they do not freeze at the big moment. Twelve months ago, everything Tottenham tried turned to gold. Confidence and daring were in limitless supply as they pummelled teams, scored late winners and cut such an early dash as league leaders. If the Spurs boss can once again devise a formula that lets his team play without fear of what might go wrong, then several of the problems that are in danger of derailing this part of the season may well start to solve themselves.
Ange Postecoglou is facing scrutiny after Tottenham's sluggish start to the season. The former Celtic boss received high praise for his early spell at Spurs but, as our data below shows, after an impressive opening 10 games, things have dropped off notably in the 32 Premier League fixtures since. BBC Sport statistician Chris Collinson said: "It's no surprise defensively is where the real decline has come, with Spurs conceding almost a goal per game more in their last 32 games than the first 10. "Again, just looking at the number of shots they've given up would be confusing as they’ve actually faced slightly fewer... but the quality of the shots they’ve given up has increased significantly. "In the first 10 games, Spurs gave up chances that historically would go in 9% of the time. Since then, they’ve give up chances that on average have been scored over 13% of the time."
Media caption, Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says Ange Postecoglou has been "let down" by some of his players so far this season. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton said: "I don't think they have been clinical enough in their build-up play or their passing in the final third. They haven't been incisive enough. "They are just lacking that understanding in the final third. The system Ange Postecoglou plays is very reliant on his wide players being the creators. He has been let down in that respect. "But Postecoglou has been in for just over a season - so to think he took them from eighth to fifth is an improvement, all while selling Harry Kane. "We are [only] four games in and some of the nonsense I have heard after the game has been ridiculous." Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician Ange Postecoglou has taken charge of Tottenham for 42 Premier League games - so how have they done? They’ve taken the fifth-most points along with Newcastle and Chelsea (70), seven fewer than top-four rivals Aston Villa. The good news for Spurs is that they have not been too different to Villa in terms of expected goals (xG) but Villa ran pretty hot last season. The question there is whether Emi Martinez or Ollie Watkins will have such good seasons again this time around. The bad news is that Chelsea have generally been stronger, although not as much as simple xGD would suggest (17.1 v 5.4) because the Blues won a league-high 12 penalties last season (Spurs won just two) and Enzo Maresca's side are unlikely to get so many again.
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Image source, Getty Images As is so often with Ange Postecoglou, what looks like a fractious post-match press conference in the heat of battle becomes a much calmer tone in the pre-match press conference for the next match. When a microphone is dangled under the Australian just minutes after a painful defeat, he can come across as ill-tempered. That could be seen as a reflection that something isn't quite right at Tottenham - but, when the dust has settled, the 59-year-old has time and again returned to his usual pleasant, honest and composed self. He was questioned extensively on his post-match grumpy tone and combative comments following the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, where he pointed to his record of success during his second season at clubs. In Tuesday's pre-match news conference for Spurs' Carabao Cup endeavours, he defended his position. "I just stated a fact – should I lie? Is it me boasting?" he replied. Perhaps it is fair complaint to ask why he should be criticised for being authentic in a sport which is so often marred by boring characters, who approach press activity with their guard up and attempt to get through it by saying nothing. Of course, the only way to shield himself is by winning more often - so the match away at Coventry City in the Carabao Cup could be seen as a dangerous banana skin or an opportunity to kick-start the season.
Millie Sian BBC Sport journalist Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie at Championship side Coventry City (20:00 BST). Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Yves Bissouma will not be available to play, but "hopefully he will be OK" to face Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.
There will be some squad rotation because he is "keen" to give his younger players game time: "They are ready to play - that's why we brought them to the club. They are training really well. The games haven't gone the way we wanted, in terms of giving them some more exposure, but we always knew that this is the period where it starts."
He added: "The main thing is that we want to win, so you are looking at which players are in the best position to do that. We are looking at how much the guys have recovered and the guys who haven't played much."
On his comments about "always winning silverware in his second season", he said: "I just stated a fact. Am I supposed to just lie or just say it never happened? I'm not sure how I'm supposed to answer something that is true."
He added: "It has always happened and my plan is for it to happen again this year. If it doesn't happen, then I can't answer that question in the same way next year - I can say 'mostly' not 'always'."
The Carabao Cup is "an opportunity to get on that road to success" and the players recognise the need to "win to progress", so the "focus" has been on beating Coventry City this week.
He played down Cristian Romero sharing a social media post regarding his organised return from international duty: "[The retweet] was mentioned to me [after the game], but it wasn't mentioned to me before the game. All of the players were back by Thursday for the Sunday game. Prior to the game, there was nothing mentioned." Follow all of Tuesday's news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Media caption, The New York Times' Chief Soccer correspondent, Rory Smith, believes Tottenham are at risk of teams now attempting to exploit weaknesses on set-pieces. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Smith said: "Once the perception that a team is weak from set-pieces sets in, I think that has an actual affect. It gives the opposition something." Smith added that Spurs' opposition will think they can "exploit" the situation "whether it's statistically, true or not". In Sunday's north London derby it was a goal conceded from a set-piece that saw Arsenal come away with all three points. Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds Media caption, Tottenham 1-0 Arsenal: Shay Given answers who was to blame for goal
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter Image source, Getty Images Tottenham's upcoming trip to Coventry City suddenly feels like a big game as Ange Postecoglou's leadership comes under scrutiny. Of course, it is early days in the season but just one win from his first four Premier League matches has left Spurs needing results by mid-September. Meanwhile, after a series of relaxed and fun news conferences, the Australian's post-match comments after the 1-0 defeat by Arsenal were fractious. There may also be questions about Cristian Romero's sharing of an Argentine journalist's social media post pointing out that Spurs didn't book him a private jet when returning from international duty and that he arrived back either tired or ill. Not one to suffer fools lightly, Postecoglou could continue his combative streak or seek to lighten the mood and highlight these are just early days in the season. Either way, it will be a temperature check on the north Londoners and how people are feeling behind the scenes following Sunday's disappointing derby. Come back to this page later on for all the key lines from Postecoglou
Ali Speechly Fan writer Image source, Getty Images We need to talk about Son Heung-min. A little while ago he said he would like to be remembered as a Spurs legend, but doesn’t think he can be considered one until he’s won a trophy with the club. Last season wasn’t the best for Son, not by his usual high standards anyway. As a fan, I gave him a bit of a free pass because a) it’s Sonny and b) he was being played out of position in a way that I didn’t think suited him. So I was really pleased when we signed Dominic Solanke – not least because we were desperate for a striker – but mostly because I knew it would mean Son could get back to business on the wing. However, at 32 years old, is that actually where Son is best? Does he still have that electric burst of pace? Or is it the system that is failing him? When Ange first arrived at Spurs there was a lot of talk about risk and reward football. Unfortunately, the only risk I’ve seen consistently from this Spurs side is at the back. Where has the risk gone from our wide attacking players? Either Son needs to start receiving the ball higher up the pitch so he can challenge the opposition with his quick feet and close ball control – rather than relying on his pace over longer distances – or, dare I say it, he needs to play as a striker, but this time in a front two with Solanke. Ange needs to change something to ensure he gets the best out of Son – and everyone else for that matter. Let’s hope the manager is less predictable and takes more risks with his set-up in the cup this week. We all want a trophy – and Son deserves that legendary status. Find more from Ali Speechly atWomen Of The Lane, externalandon X, external
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter Image source, Getty Images There is nothing like a derby defeat by your biggest rivals to send the mood around a manager spinning in the wrong direction. Before the international break, the narrative was Tottenham had played well at the start of the season but were unlucky to earn just four points from the first three games - beating Everton, drawing with Leicester and losing at Newcastle. Although poor finishing from Spurs was again the decisive factor in the 1-0 loss at home to an injury-hit Arsenal on Sunday, manager Ange Postecoglou now appears under pressure from sections of the fanbase. The Australian has won just 44 points from his past 32 matches as manager after a poor end to last season. And vice-captain Cristian Romero has shared a social media post by an Argentine journalist saying he played with a fever and that Spurs did not optimise his travel back from international duty. Amid this backdrop, Postecoglou's previously affable news conferences turned prickly again when addressing Gabriel's winner from a corner. "I know, for some reason, people think I don't care about set-pieces, and it's a narrative that you can keep going on for ages and ages. I understand that," he said. "We work on them all the time, like we do with every other team. You know that they're a threat. For the most part we handled them really well, but we switched off in one and we paid a price." He also added when speaking to Sky Sports: "I always win things in my second year - nothing has changed. I don't say things if I don't believe them." Ironically, Arsenal highlighted the benefits of sticking with a project manager, especially in a sub-par second season, but there could be a lot of debate around Postecoglou in the coming months. Media caption,
Image source, Getty Images Former West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan says Ange Postecoglou is "in a proper league where people are finding chinks in your armour," after Tottenham lost Sunday's north London derby. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Nolan said: "I don't think they have the squad to be better than Arsenal at this moment in time. "It's the Premier League, not the Scottish League - you're not in Australia or Japan now. "It will be interesting to see what happens because it was very poor from Tottenham. I expected more due to Arsenal's vulnerabilities." Listen to the full episode here
Image source, Getty Images Tottenham fan Ricky Sacks from the Last Word On Spurs podcast, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "We were playing an Arsenal side without both of their key midfielders. "Tottenham will not get a better chance to beat an Arsenal side, given where Arsenal are at now. "The concerning thing is Tottenham, for all of their opportunities, had nothing really. "To be honest with you, Spurs didn't lay a massive glove on Arsenal and that is the biggest frustration. "I think the majority of Spurs fans want this to work under the manager, but as the weeks go on it does feel that we're getting more questions than answers. "That is really concerning at the moment."
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Arsenal. Here are some of your comments: Spurs fans Adam: Depressingly familiar performance symptomatic of recent times, promising much but failing to deliver. Set-piece problems need addressing urgently. There is much to admire about the style of the current team, but the content is still too thin. Larry: Same old, same old. What is the use of having the majority of the possession or 'controlling ' the game if you don't convert it into goals and wins? Don't believe that Postecoglou has any idea of a plan B, and needs to employ a set-piece coach! Andy: Possibly the worst performance from a Spurs team in a north London derby that I’ve seen in years. We still can’t defend set-pieces and our goal threat is becoming laughable. Nobody wants to take responsibility up front. I couldn’t name one Spurs player who rated more than a 4/10 and I’m being generous. Arsenal fans Anish: Excellent defensive shape and looked solid throughout the game. Always a threat on the counter, especially in the first half. Hard work and discipline by all players saw us through the game to take back the three points and a clean sheet. George: Yet again confirming the steps forward Arsenal are making. Winning in more ways than one - even when depleted, they find a way. Not many teams will win at Tottenham this season. We have a superb defence and a much stronger squad. With that said, it is time for us to win a competition. Dan: The Arsenal of old would have played a far more expansive game. They'd have looked better but wouldn't have got a win. It's great to see Arsenal playing with a plan, playing with grit and showing that they can 'do a job' on top teams in order to get a result.
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