Postecoglou refused to rein in his attacking instincts against Villa and paid for it. Photo: Reuters/Peter Ciborra
After a hard-fought draw with Tottenham in September, Arsenal's James Maddison said his new team was losing its old reputation.
“Fans and neutrals are talking about Tottenham “, they often say: “soft, weak, bottle it, Sperry, all that nonsense.” He said. “I think the last couple of weeks show that we may be moving in a slightly different direction.”
Rumors of Spersiness's death have been greatly exaggerated, and the amnesty lasted only 63 days. It was Roy Keane who coined that dreaded adjective after the home defeat to Aston Villa. “Very poor defending from Spurs,” he said on Sky Sports of Ollie Watkins' winning goal for Villa. “You have to be tense and aggressive, they just switched off at the wrong time. A great goal from Villa, but defending against Spurs…really Spurs.
Keane was right, but he didn't mention the mitigating factors. It was a predictable defeat if you look at the list of Spurs' absences. Maddison, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, Richarlison, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, Mickey Van de Ven and Pape Sarr are injured, while Christian Romero is still suspended. Rodrigo Bentancur lasted only half an hour, injuring his ankle in a fight with Matty Cash.
After winning the first three Premier League Manager of the Month awards available to him, the honeymoon is not over for Ange Postecoglou. and his new partner. Instead, they returned home to mountains of work, a scandalous administrator and a sullen Irishman who condemned the cleanliness of their house.
Spursiness scholars will be intrigued by Keene's appointment. Traditionally it is not used to describe individual defensive actions, but rather as a label for glancing at a win and attempting to throw it away. There was plenty of that on Sunday too, especially in the dizzying opening 20 minutes when the game could have gone under the radar. Son missed the sitter, then the posts were hit and the goal was disallowed. It felt like the stadium was traveling through the atmosphere. However, Villa came away with points and it seemed quite predictable by the end.
If we are to trust such things, then xG was marginally in Spurs' favour: 2.09 to Villa's 1.77. Indeed, given the limitations imposed on Postecoglou's selection, this is quite an achievement. Like his post-game assessment, he refused to rely too much on mitigating factors.
Spurs are delighted… first 20 minutes of the match against Aston Villa Photo: Shutterstock/NEAL HALL
“It may take a while but we will get through it and as long as we show the same intent and play the same football we played today, I have no doubt that when we come out the other side we will be a very good football team “, he said.
“I mean, some of the goals that we could score would end up being a demonstration for us of how we want to play football, so for me The positives definitely outweigh the negatives.
“We just need to make sure the players are focused on what's important now and you need to win football games to stay fit and in a strong position at the end of the year, but right now we're still building the team.”
This rebuilt and under construction team faces a daunting trip to Manchester City next Sunday. A month ago it looked like a fight between potential title contenders, but now it feels like damage limitation. Season-ruining streaks can quickly accumulate in the Premier League, and after starting 10 times unbeaten, this was Spurs' third defeat in a row.
During such difficult periods, games once won become daunting. Next up at home are David Moyes' West Ham, who have won four of their last five in all competitions. Newcastle follow and are likely to be favourites. Then a trip to Nottingham Forest, who beat that impressive Villa side earlier this month.
Siege mentality: Everton follow at home, then Brighton away. Of course, there are no easy games at this level, but only at Bournemouth at home on New Year's Eve will you be able to see the game you would choose in the current Spurs situation.
There is plenty of goodwill for now what Postecoglou has already achieved to avoid a downward spiral, but if this winless race drags on into winter, the mood will fall. Picking a team in the style of Ardiles will lose its appeal with many defeats.
It is not uncommon to come across a success story early in the season whose October league position looks curious in retrospect. Spurs' main task now is to avoid this fate.
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