Dejan Kulusevski has gone against his boss Ange Postecoglou by suggesting Tottenham may need to change their approach to become more consistent.
Spurs were defeated 6-3 by Liverpool in an exciting Premier League match on Sunday.
While Kulusevski teamed up with Dominic Solanke and James Maddison against the Reds, Liverpool could easily have scored more goals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
From the high of the 4-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in November, Spurs have won just one of their last five Premier League matches, and that victory came against Southampton.
They also beat Manchester United 4-3 in the EFL Cup, while drawing against Rangers and Roma in the Europa League.
Next up is a trip to in-form Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, and while Postecoglou has insisted he will not change his tactics, Kulusevski hinted that Spurs should consider an alternative approach.
As reported by TNT Sports, when asked if Spurs should add more control to their game, the Sweden international said: “If you want to get a result, maybe yes.
“You have to think about how we are doing physically? Who is playing? How many games have we played in the last week? Who are we playing against? Have they had a week of rest or something?
“You have to put everything into it because it's like life – it's not just black and white. Many factors play a role.
“Maybe [our approach is] not [sustainable]. But you have to improve, you have to find ways. Maybe we should have left it [Liverpool] have the ball more, but we don't play that way. We went out, we gave it our all. It didn't work. Maybe we'll learn it for next time.
“We have to learn because we conceded six goals. I can't sit here and say we're doing something perfect, we're not. We have to change a little bit for the better, always try to change for the better.” .”
3.6 – Tottenham's Premier League games under Ange Postecoglou have seen an average of 3.6 goals scored per game. Among those in charge of more than 50 games in the league, this is the highest number of goals per game for any manager. Pleasure. pic.twitter.com/VX1VZInKQ6
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nottingham Forest – Anthony Elanga
After a run of 28 Premier League games without a goal, Elanga has now scored in both of his last two appearances.
Elanga has never scored in three consecutive league games before.
Tottenham-Son Heung-min
With four goals and two assists, no current Premier League player has been involved in more goals on Boxing Day than Son (six, level with Mohamed Salah and Raheem Sterling).
MATCH PREDICTION: Draw
After winning six of the seven Premier League meetings with Tottenham between 1993 and 1997, Forest have now lost each of their last six games against Tottenham.
After failing to win any of their first four Premier League away games against Forest (D1, L3) and conceding twice in each match, Tottenham have won their last three visits to the City Ground, keeping a clean sheet each time.
Forest beat Newcastle 3-1 on Boxing Day last season. They have not won in this match in consecutive top-flight campaigns since 1990-91/1991-92, beating Tottenham 2-1 in the last game.
Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 16 league games played on Boxing Day (W12 D4) since a 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth in 2003-04.
But Forest have won nine Premier League games this season, as many as in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. They have won each of their last three, most recently winning four in a row in the top flight in April/May 1995.
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
Nottingham Forest – 41.2%
Traces – 34.3%
Draw – 24.5%
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