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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou finds himself under increasing scrutiny after a 2-2 draw against relegation-threatened Wolves at home compounded a dismal run of form for his injury-ravaged side. Despite showing glimpses of resilience, Spurs’ inability to secure a win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium leaves them 11th in the Premier League, with just one victory in their last seven matches.
The match encapsulated Tottenham’s recurring woes. Spurs fell behind early when Hwang Hee-chan curled a superb strike into the net after a well-worked Wolves free kick, marking the 15th time this year Spurs have conceded first at home—a Premier League record. Goals from Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson gave Spurs a first-half lead, but a missed penalty by captain Son Heung-min and Jorgen Strand Larsen's late equalizer ensured the hosts' frustrations continued.
Adding to the manager's difficulties, Spurs suffered yet another injury blow when left-back Destiny Udogie limped off with a hamstring issue. Postecoglou’s defensive options have already been decimated, with first-choice center-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven sidelined alongside several other key players. The lack of depth forced Postecoglou to deploy midfielder-turned-defender Archie Gray and an unfit Radu Dragusin at the heart of defense.
“I’m the person in charge, so of course it hurts,” Postecoglou said post-match. “When I see how hard they are trying, it hurts even more because you want them to get a reward, and today they deserved one for their efforts.”
Despite the mounting challenges, Postecoglou vowed to rally his depleted squad, emphasizing the need to push through adversity. “We’re dealing with a fair bit, and it doesn’t feel like we’re getting a smooth run at anything,” he admitted. “As soon as we get one back, we lose one. There’s still a hell of a lot for us to play for.”
The Australian manager has also faced criticism over the team’s conditioning, with former Spurs striker Darren Bent and ex-manager Tim Sherwood questioning whether the club’s medical staff and training methods are equipped to support Postecoglou’s high-intensity playing style. Persistent muscle injuries, particularly hamstring issues, have raised concerns about the adequacy of player recovery and preparation.
Off the pitch, discontent is growing among fans, who booed the team at full-time and have protested against chairman Daniel Levy for not investing enough to strengthen the squad. As January's transfer window looms, Postecoglou is likely to push for reinforcements to address the lack of depth, but Levy's support remains uncertain.
Spurs’ upcoming fixtures will only heighten the pressure on Postecoglou, with tough matches against Newcastle, Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and a trip to Arsenal on the horizon. With his side closer to the relegation zone than the top four, Postecoglou is acutely aware of the stakes.
“I take responsibility for where we’re at and for getting us out of it,” he said. “We have to give the players the support they need to perform at their best.”
While Spurs’ early-season promise under Postecoglou has dissipated, the manager remains committed to his philosophy, determined to steer the club through its current turmoil and reignite belief in his project. Whether he will be given the time and resources to do so, however, remains to be seen.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Winston Tjia, Unsplash / Tim Bechervaise
