Matt Law has come out in full support of Ange Postecoglou, dismissing claims that the Tottenham Hotspur manager is 'delusional' in light of his team's 10th defeat of the Premier League season.
In a dramatic encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs fell 2-1 to Newcastle United, a result that left Postecoglou fuming, declaring it the angriest he's ever been. The Australian coach was particularly incensed that Anthony Gordon's equaliser was allowed to stand, a situation complicated by the ball appearing to deflect off Joelinton before reaching the English forward.
The defeat dealt another blow to the Lilywhites, pushing them further down the league table, with Newcastle's Eddie Howe making it a day to forget for Spurs fans. Dominic Solanke initially put Spurs ahead, but Gordon pulled one back before Alexander Isak netted a crucial first-half winner. Currently, Tottenham sits in a disappointing 12th place, accumulating only 24 points from 20 games.
Law Slams 'Delusional' Claims
Law, a journalist for the Daily Telegraph, highlighted the impact of injuries on the squad's performance, attributing the team’s woes to a lengthy injury list rather than any supposed delusions from Postecoglou. He took to social media to voice his perspective:
Tottenham have not lost 10 games because Ange P is 'delusional'. They've lost 10 games because they've got a tonne of injuries and the squad can't cope. Just as Newcastle had lost 9 games this time last season for the same reason.
The North London side has had key players like Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Ben Davies sidelined, forcing Postecoglou to deploy makeshift centre-back partnerships including Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin. Despite the pressing defensive issues, Postecoglou has remained committed to his attacking philosophy.
However, not everyone agrees with Law. Craig Hope from the Daily Mail has suggested that Postecoglou is trapped in a 'delusional world' due to his rigid approach, advising the Spurs coach to take notes from Eddie Howe's adaptability.
Tottenham's Disappointing Season
In terms of competition, Tottenham’s season has seen them struggle in various tournaments:
Competition: Premier League
Matches: 20
Wins: 7
Draws: 3
Losses: 10
Competition: UEFA Europa League
Matches: 6
Wins: 3
Draws: 2
Losses: 1
Competition: Carabao Cup
Matches: 3
Wins: 3
Losses: 0
Despite the challenges, Postecoglou still holds substantial backing from fans. With two years remaining on his contract, there are no signs of unrest within the dressing room.
The 59-year-old could potentially end the club's 17-year trophy drought by clinching the Carabao Cup, with a semi-final clash against defending champions Liverpool on the horizon, starting with the first leg at home on Wednesday (January 8).
Meanwhile, a rising star from within the ranks may be considering his future after being overlooked by Postecoglou amid the ongoing injury crisis.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt - accurate as of 05/01/2025.