Ange Postecoglou says he is not focused on talking about his future after James Maddison branded Tottenham's performance in the first half of the 3-2 defeat at Everton as “unacceptable”.
Everton had scored just 15 times in their first 20 league games this season, but on Sunday they hit the net three times in the opening 45 minutes, breaking through a poor Tottenham defense.
“No excuses in the first half,” said midfielder Maddison. “It was a tough afternoon. We had eleven fit seniors, so there is context. But we had eleven starters and the first half was unacceptable.”
Postecoglou had placed his team in a back three amid an injury list of 11 players and later admitted the plan had clearly not worked. Radu Dragusin, who picked up an injury, had to be subbed off at half-time and another formation change at least gave Spurs the platform to pull a few goals back and set up a nerve-wracking finish for the hosts.
But with just one league win in their last ten games, Tottenham sit in 15th place, just eight points above the drop zone and four points ahead of an Everton side considered by most to be locked in the relegation battle.
Spurs have a 1-0 lead going into the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool, but after being forced into extra-time at non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup, lost to arch-rivals Arsenal in midweek and now humiliated at Everton, the pressure is on Postecoglou.
“I'm distancing myself from it,” the Spurs boss said when asked about speculation about his future. “This isn't about me. What's about me is that I have a responsibility to the group of players that I have to try to get through this. That's the only thing I have to focus on. If I focus on anything else, means that I abstain from the responsibility that I have.
“I'm determined to get us out of this. The club is doing its best to help – it's more about helping the players than me. We're asking for huge jobs from 18-year-olds, 17-year-olds out there.” trying to win football games for us and others who play week in week out.”
Postecoglou remains optimistic that once Spurs get their injured players back, they will be able to deliver performances and results that can lift them from their low position in the league and help them challenge for success.
“We look at the situation we are in, it will eventually go away in terms of player availability, and then we give ourselves the chance to at least get some consistency in games and performance,” he said. “Keep fighting. I have not lost the faith and determination to turn the tide. The players showed in the second half that they are not throwing in the towel. We will get through this.”
However, the Australian later said it was unlikely many players would be back from the treatment room any time soon, apart from Rodrigo Bentancur, who is battling concussion, and Yves Bissouma, who could return next weekend.
Dominic Solanke, who was injured in training for the Everton match, could be out for “a few weeks” with a knee problem, Brennan Johnson is out “probably three to four weeks” with a calf injury suffered against Arsenal, while Spurs will do too. will have to do without Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon in the Europa League against Hoffenheim on Thursday because they are not registered for that competition.
Shocking statistics from Spurs
O'Hara: Big Ange is in big trouble!
Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara on Sky Sports News:
'He's in big trouble. There he is. Big Ange is in big trouble.
“It's a shocking first half. They were better in the second half, they created chances. But Everton will always sit there. They are 3-0 up.”
“I understand there are injuries. I understand that. But you are professionals. You cannot tell me that Ben Davies is not good enough, Dragusin is not good enough, Pape Sarr, Maddison, Heung-min Son, Dejan Kulusevski… You have good players in that team, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence.
“I know there are some young kids in there, but you brought them in to play when other players can't play. So they have to perform. And they don't perform.
“Where are the leaders on the field? Where are the characters? Where is your captain? The idea is that son will be the captain. He is not a captain. Listen, he is a great player, he has been an incredible servant for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. He is not a captain.” captain.
“He's not going to dig you out of a hole. He's not going to grab players by the scruff of the neck. He's the nicest man in the world. Everyone loves him. He's a very nice person. Is that something?” do you need?
“Look, it's easy for me to sit here and say, 'Ange out'. I'm sure it's going to trend. What's the answer? You're still dealing with injuries even if Ange goes. Who is there available? The Bournemouth manager The Fulham manager Is there a manager you can take with you?
“You've seen Ruben Amorim, who has done incredible work at Sporting, go to Man United and they look terrible. So what's the answer? I'm not sure. I don't think Ange is going to change. I don't think Ange is going to change.” I don't think Ange is going to solve this mess.
“Spurs are 15th in the table and if things continue like this they will be in a relegation battle. And you can't keep a manager in charge of a football club just because you beat Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of a Carabao Cup [semi-final].
“You still have to go to Anfield. Do you wait until then and see if we go on and get to the final because he says he's winning trophies in his second season? The Premier League is bread and butter. You have to perform week in, week out in the Premier League and Spurs don't do that.”
Are Spurs in a relegation battle? Here's who they play next…
Hoffenheim (a) – Thursday January 23, Europa League
Leicester City (h) – Sunday January 26, Premier League
IF Elfsborg (h) – Thursday January 30, Europa League
Brentford (a) – Sunday 2 February, Premier League
Liverpool (a) – Thursday February 6, Carabao Cup
Aston Villa (a) – Sunday 9 February, FA Cup
Man Utd (h) – Sunday 16 February, Premier League
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