Ange Postecoglou believes injuries are solely responsible for Tottenham's poor form and is confident the team is now in a better position than when he took charge.
Spurs are growing in 15th in the Premier League table ahead of Sunday's home clash with Leicester City, who have gone six games without a win and lost five.
Since the start of December, only Bottom Club Southampton (eight) have lost more Premier League games than Tottenham's seven, while the Saints are also the only side to allow more goals (25) than Spurs (22) in that period.
A series of injuries to key players have hampered them in recent weeks. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, defenders Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero and striker Dominic Solanke are all out.
Asked if he could explain Spurs' dismal run at Friday's press conference, Postecoglou said: “It's just injuries.
“I mean, you can walk outside and say, 'Jeez, it's really bright,' and say to yourself, maybe it's not the sun. But it's the sun, buddy, we just got injuries.
“Every decision that is made is mine. I am responsible for it.
“If you want a head on a stick then take mine, but I am absolutely 100% confident that we are in a better place today as a football club than when I started.”
The latest team news from Ange Pic.twitter.com/upbk5dkwxo
– Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) January 24, 2025
Leicester, meanwhile, sit 19th in the table – two points clear of safety – after losing seven straight league games. Another defeat would see them equal their all-time record, having lost eight in a row between March and April 2001.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy has come under fire after just seven weeks at the helm, but he insists everyone at the King Power Stadium is united.
“The relationship with players and managers and coaches is one of development, improvement and praise,” he said.
“Things that are done well are addressed, things that can be improved are addressed. We are united as a unit – as a squad and staff.
“I am very motivated to change this situation. It is the only way out of a difficult situation. When you are in adversity, it is about unity, hard work and rolling up your sleeves.”
Players to watch
Leicester City – Jakub Stolarczyk
Stolarczyk is the first goalkeeper in Premier League history to have conceded multiple goals in each of his first five appearances in the competition, dispatching a total of 11 goals.
The last Foxes goalkeeper to concede multiple goals in six consecutive games was Ron-Robert Zieler in the 2016-17 campaign. Can he avoid replicating that unwanted performance?
Tottenham – Dejan Kulusevski
Only Chelsea's Cole Palmer (62) has created more Premier League chances this season than Kulusevski (56).
The Swede has also scored in four of his last eight matches, scoring four goals, although he has finished on the losing side in three of those matches.
Match Prediction – Tottenham Win
Leicester boss van Nistelrooy is only the fourth manager in Premier League history to suffer a run of seven consecutive defeats within his first 10 games at a club, along with Alan Ball at Manchester City in 1995 (eight in a row) , Mick McCarthy at Sunderland In 2003 and 2005 (10 in a row) and Terry Connor at Wolves in 2012 (seven in a row).
Since he took charge of Leicester on December 3, only Brentford (176) and Southampton (169) have faced more shots than the Foxes (154).
The 17.1 shots they have faced per game under the Dutchman is still marginally fewer than under his predecessor Steve Cooper earlier this season (17.6).
On the incentive of the team
“We are very motivated to change this situation. In adversity, it is about unity, dedication, staying together. And that is where we are right now.” pic.twitter.com/ixr3rfylxa
– Leicester City (@lcfc) January 24, 2025
Tottenham have lost their last three Premier League games and last lost four in a row between April and May 2024.
They lost four in a row between 2005 and 2023, and Postecoglou could become only the second Spurs manager to lose back-to-back, joining David Pleat in 2003-04.
Tottenham have won five of their last six Premier League home games against Leicester (one loss) and have scored at least three goals in all five of those wins.
Opta probably wins
Tottenham – 61.6%
Leicester City – 19.5%
Drawing – 18.9%
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