Ange Postecoglou admitted that his side played with “fear and nervousness” even though he came from two goals to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth on Sunday.
Postecoglou watched while Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson brought Bournemouth ahead, with the cherries apparently on their way to a first top win in two games.
But Pape Sarr's chance goal changed the balance of the draw, where son Heung-Min took part of the loot with a penalty after he was polluted by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Indeed, the Tottenham comeback was the 26th other time that they were two goals in a Premier League match and returned to Salvage at least one point (W9 D17).
Only Manchester United has done this more in the history of the competition (30), and Postecoglou praised his players for the Vechtgeest they showed.
“On 2-0 we had a bit of a mountain to climb,” said Postecoglou. “Today it was a chaotic game and the boys showed a real mentality.
“It would have been very easy on 2-0, with the atmosphere in the stadium, to let it slide away from us, but they fought hard and came back into the game.
“There is definitely a feeling of nervousness there. It is just fear and nervousness that we need to get under control.
“I don't preach from the altar. People can feel the way they do. [Alkmaar, on Thursday] They certainly helped their team, and we want to think on Thursday that we will make it just as hostile for the opposition. “
𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝟐 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡
Despite a lead of two goals, Bournemouth had to settle for a point in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
View our match report and stats -page of the game here: pic.twitter.com/S3BTE75HOQ
– Opta Analyst (@Optaanalyst) March 9, 2025
Spurs gave up a total of 2.74 in the game, even with Cristian Romero back in the defense from the beginning and Micky van de Ven returned from the bank.
Romero appeared for the first time since December, but went through a few nervy few moments early, almost bournemouth giving two early goals after playing weak pieces.
Van de Ven last appeared in January, while Dominic Solanke is also back in the mix, and Postecoglou is convinced that his team will improve to have those three players back.
“We like to come back Romero and show his first pass that he has not played for three months,” said Postecoglou.
“I think Micky van de Ven, Dom and Romero are quality players, and we hardly had them all year round.
“It gives the team a bit a boost to see them out of it. It would have been a fairly empty feeling if we didn't have returned to it
“It gives us and the players some understanding that if we stay strong, we can overcome something kind of struggle that we have.”
Back the line pic.twitter.com/dilidyopit
– Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) March 9, 2025
Andoni Iraola said in the meantime that he was upset that his match had not won after he was 2-0, although their impressive form on the road continued despite the draw.
Only Liverpool (35) and Arsenal (27) have removed more points from home this season than Bournemouth in the Premier League (23).
Iraola believes that a series of one victory in five shows that his side has lost the winning habit, which they should restore if they want to qualify for Europe next season.
“Given how the game went, it's not good enough for us to just get a point,” said Iraola.
“We play well, create opportunities and controlling games, but we have to find a way to win them. At the end of the season, every point is the key, and today we have the feeling that we have lost two very important points.
“We tested the keeper twice in the first five minutes, but we had to capitalize.
“We had opportunities to score the third and the fourth, but we couldn't take our chances. We are disappointed.
“We have lost something in the last few games. We perform well and have good moments, but we don't win and large teams find ways to win.
“I hope we don't play so well next time and find a way to win against Brentford.”
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