Entering the 2024-25 season, Tottenham Hotspur fans were riding the wave of optimism sparked by Ange Postecoglou’s appointment. After a transformative first season under the Australian manager, the club appeared poised for further ascent.
However, as we enter a new calendar year, the narrative has shifted from one of promise to one of inconsistency and doubt. Here, we delve into the current state of affairs at Tottenham, exploring the highs of last season, the ups and downs of the current campaign, and some controversial decisions that may have to be taken in the near future if Spurs want to continue to progress.
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Last Season’s Success
Ange Postecoglou’s inaugural season at the helm of Tottenham in 2023-24 was nothing short of transformative. He was able to implement his possession based system into the squad and turn a team that has struggled to maintain form into a team that was one of the most exciting teams to watch in European football. Ange’s introduction into the Premier League couldn’t have gone better with his Tottenham side going unbeaten in their first 10 games, giving Spurs fans some much needed hope and optimism.
The team’s style was characterized by high possession, averaging 61.6% per game, and a proactive, pressing game characterised by an extremely high line when pressing the opposition. This style led Spurs to an improvement in goals scored, goals conceded and overall a much more attractive style of play which got fans exciting for the future.
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Tottenham’s season did end with a slight disappointment of missing out on the top 4 and Champions League football by just 2 points but fans’ excitement and expectations for the next season were through the roof after such an impressive first season under Ange Postecoglou.
This Season’s Struggles
Fast forward to the 2024-25 season, and the narrative has taken a disappointing turn. Tottenham currently find themselves languishing in 11th place, a position that starkly contrasts with last season’s promise. Their form has been notably inconsistent, with a record of only 7 wins, 3 draws, and 9 losses from 19 matches.
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The team has struggled for consistency throughout the season with several matches exemplify this inconsistency. A massive 4-0 win at the Etihad against Manchester City was met with calls from fans saying this is the turning point of their season, only for the squad to manage 1 point from their next 3 league games.
Then a dominant 5-0 victory away to Southampton once again met with more bad form with a 6-3 thrashing against Liverpool, a disappointing and uninspiring 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest and a 2-2 draw against struggling Wolves. The games don’t get any easier with league matches against in form Newcastle and then a North London derby against Arsenal next up for Tottenham.
Injury Woes
Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been severely impacted by an ongoing injury crisis that has disrupted their performance across all competitions. Key players like Cristián Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Guglielmo Vicario have faced extended spells on the sidelines, with Van de Ven’s hamstring injury ruling him out until January.
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The absence of first-choice defenders and the starting goalkeeper has left manager Ange Postecoglou heavily reliant on less experienced players, a vulnerability that was starkly exposed in matches such as the 4-3 defeat to Chelsea. This injury crisis has coincided with a noticeable dip in form, resulting in costly losses in the Premier League, Europa League, and domestic cup competitions.
The lack of squad depth has made it difficult for Tottenham to maintain consistency, while the increased workload on fit players has exacerbated the challenges. Many have described this season as one of the most demanding in Postecoglou’s managerial career due to the sheer scale of injuries.
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Ange Postecoglou: The Right Fit?
The pivotal question remains: Is Ange Postecoglou the manager to lead Tottenham to the next level? His philosophy of possession-based, attacking football is clear, but its implementation has shown cracks. Critics argue that his tactics, while entertaining, do not translate into consistent results against top-tier opponents.
Ange Postecoglou has staunchly refused to adjust his high-pressing, attacking tactics at Tottenham, even when they’ve been repeatedly exposed. He insists this style is core to his philosophy, arguing that changing would compromise the team’s identity. Despite criticism following losses and injuries, he remains committed to his vision, believing it will lead to success.
However, supporters of Ange Postecoglou point to his record in enhancing individual player performances, notably with players like Son Heung-min and James Maddison. They also highlight his success in instilling a clear identity and style of play that has been absent at Tottenham for years. Many believe that with more time, Postecoglou’s system could solidify, particularly if the squad becomes more settled and less injury-prone.
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There’s a palpable debate over whether patience with Postecoglou could yield a Premier League contender or if a change might be necessary. His tenure so far suggests a manager with long-term potential, but the immediate results have not matched the initial hype.
Transfer Market: Backing or Betrayal?
Postecoglou’s first big problem was well before a ball had been kicked on a pitch with the sale of star man Harry Kane to Bayern Munich. How would he be replaced? Could Spurs survive without their top scorer? Would Ange be backed by the board?
The answer was yes, with a massive summer transfer window with key signings of players like Pedro Porro, Brennan Johnson, Micky Van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison. It looked like Spurs had changed their ways and was finally backing the new manager with top signings who could improve the starting 11 and were young enough where they can still improve massively.
However fast forward to the past summer window and Tottenham fans were left disappointed and underwhelmed with the transfer business. With only a few holes to fill in the squad, a striker and squad depth being the main concern for fans, only a striker was signed with Bournemouth talisman Dominic Solanke for a massive £55 million with an additional £10 million in add-ons.
Exciting youngster Archie Gray was signed from Leeds United and young Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall coming in also and finally young winger Wilson Odobert coming in from Burnley. A big £150 million was spent this summer but Solanke being the only one with plenty of experience and the only one who could be expected to make a consistent impact in the first team, therefore leaving Spurs fans worrying once again about the lack of depth in the squad.
Now into the new year, Spurs have had ever-present injury problems throughout the season and fans’ worries came true with players having to play out of position, young players being thrown into the first team and no consistency in the lineups leading to inconsistency on the pitch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2024-25 season for Tottenham Hotspur under Ange Postecoglou has been a tale of two narratives. On one hand, there’s the undeniable impact of Postecoglou’s philosophy, which has revitalized the team’s identity and the performances of key players like Son and Maddison.
On the other hand, the season has been marred by an unprecedented injury crisis, tactical inflexibility, and a transfer strategy that many fans feel has not adequately supported the squad’s needs. The current standings reflect a team in transition, struggling to align the manager’s vision with on-pitch results amidst these challenges.
While Postecoglou’s approach has its defenders who argue for patience in building a cohesive team, the mounting pressure from inconsistent results and fan expectations could force Tottenham into a crossroads. Whether the club chooses to continue backing Postecoglou’s long-term project or opts for a managerial shift will be pivotal in determining if Tottenham can reclaim its path toward becoming genuine contenders or if they will remain in the flux of mid-table mediocrity.
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Steve Welsh – PA Images