VAVEL.com

Tempers have reached boiling point among the Tottenham faithful, who’s displeasure has been a resultant effect of their team’s horrific form, which has left Ange Postecoglou fighting for his job.

This situation is all too familiar for Tottenham, who have had five permanent managers in the last six years- many of whom have had infamous outbursts, which has often been the final straw during their managerial stints.

As for Postecoglou, it seemed as though this moment took place last week against Chelsea, when he cupped his ear to the travelling Spurs fans while celebrating Pape Matar Sarr's goal (which ended up being disallowed). This was after chants criticising the Australian's decision to replace Lucas Bergvall with the Senegalese midfielder in the 64th minute.

Postecoglou was swift to address this incident, claiming that his actions were misinterpreted: "We just scored, I just wanted to hear them cheer." However, many have not been convinced by this and seem to be losing faith in the manager, who started his Tottenham career so well.

Extreme pressure ahead of Frankfurt tie

Tottenham's Europa League quarter-final clash on Thursday, against the 2022 champions, Eintracht Frankfurt, is being regarded as one of their most important games in recent history.

There is no doubt that the Premier League campaign has been nothing short of catastrophic, and Tottenham also fell short in both domestic cup competitions. The prospect of Europa League success though, provides one last glimmer of hope for Postecoglou, who will be desperate to bring an end to the miserable 17 year trophy drought.

Tottenham approach the game off the back of a 3-1 victory over Southampton, who were subsequently relegated. But full priority will be devoted to the Europa League quarter-final first leg, the first time Tottenham have reached this stage of a European competition since their memorable run to the Champions League final in 2019.

Tottenham's mixed record against German opposition

In their last outing against a German side, Tottenham came through 3-2 victors away at Hoffenheim, in the seventh week of the inaugural League table phase.

The last time Tottenham faced Frankfurt was during the 2022/23 Champions League group stage, firstly drawing 0-0 at the Deutsche Bank Arena. Then a month later, winning 3-2 at home, thanks to a brace from Son Heung-Min and a Harry Kane penalty.

The hosts have also enjoyed success against Borrusia Dortmund, beating them four times consecutively from 2017-2019. Son Heung-Min was once again heavily involved in this successful spell, in-fact the South Korean has netted seven times against German opposition during his time in North-London.

On the other hand, Tottenham have also suffered heavy defeats to German teams in recent years. Including a 7-2 demolition at home Bayern Munich in 2019, a game which influenced the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino - who is one the favourite candidates to take over at Spurs if Postecoglou gets sacked.

RB Leipzig also comfortably saw off Tottenham 4-0 on aggregate during the same campaign, and if Frankfurt were to replicate this type of performance, it would likely seal the fate of Postecoglou.

Daniel Levy under severe scrutiny

The common theme during all the managerial transitions and turbulent form displayed by different squads, is the aggrieved attitude towards the Tottenham hierarchy, most notably Daniel Levy.

Since taking over as the Chairman at Tottenham in 2001, the club has won just one trophy, the League Cup in 2008.

Commonly associated with greed, with the accusation of prioritising business over success. The nature in which the club is run is believed to have infected generations of teams with weak minded mentalities, with Spurs being well renowned as a team who never perform when it really matters, in the bid to seal silverware.

This was reinforced by former captain Hugo Lloris, who raised the question "Does the club really want to win?" after he revealed in his autobiography that Levy gifted the squad with watches, which had engraved 'Champions league finalists', prior to the final against Liverpool in 2019.

At the centre of this disapproval is the common pattern that Tottenham fail to optimise their investments into improving the team, combined with having the lowest wages of the so called 'big six'- with Tottenham's involvement seeming a distant memory.

What makes this even more infuriating is that Tottenham became the most profitable Premier League team in history in 2023 (BBC), with merchandise and season tickets being among the highest in Europe. Despite this, Levy constantly emphasises the need to be cautious with transfer spending- something many former managers have addressed as previously mentioned.

The reality of the situation is that Tottenham are at an extremely crucial stage in their history, and decisions to be made in the near future will very much dictate the direction of the club.

The stakes against Frankfurt could not be higher, with the demand for silverware greater than ever.

Former Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute believes Spurs must "look into the mirror" and take responsibility as they look to win their first trophy since 2008.

Kanoute, now 47, made 72 appearances for Spurs between August 2003 and 2005. He scored 22 goals, parterning lethal duo Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe in the final third.

The 38-time Mali international, who was also named 2007 African Footballer of the Year, is now working with LALIGA and Bloomsbury Football to help get more young children active.

At the launch of a second football site at Harris Academy St John’s Wood in north-west London, the former Spurs forward told VAVEL that they must take responsibility in an attempt to end their barren trophy draught, admitting that he doesn't believe their past few managers, including Ange Postecoglou, are bad coaches.

"They are stuck in a certain position, even though sometimes we think they're going to finally find a way up. I think sometimes things have to be to be found more in the organisation and the management of the club itself, and have a clear direction," he told the site.

"I don't know what's happening, so I'm not even criticising, but I think sometimes going on the coach, because we know he's done some great work in the past few years, and all of a sudden he's not a good coach anymore.

"I don't really buy into that. Sometimes you can be a little bit singled out as a coach and you accept that, but also you have to go a little bit deeper sometimes. The club itself has to look into the mirror as well and try to take responsibility."

Spurs currently sit 14th in the Premier League, with their only hope of tangible success coming in the form of the Europa League. They host Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday in the first leg of the quarter-finals.

Kanoute's work with LALIGA and Bloomsbury Football reaches new heights

Kanoute has been retired since 2013 after an illustrious career that included spells at Spurs, West Ham and Sevilla. While countless professional athletes look to set off into the sunset, the Malian likes to help the community.

The programme from LALIGA and Bloomsbury Football, who engage with over 5,000 young people in London weekly, has been running since 2022, and it has welcomed in more than 200 youngsters in a bid to support the growth of grassroots football.

The new site, which Kanoute was speaking at on Saturday, will facilitate 16 participating teams in a league, supported by a record number of LALIGA clubs. Access to football remains at the forefront of the programme's mission.

Kanoute, who is also a consultant for grassroots projects in Mali and Zambia, is delighted with the impact of the event.

"I think the partnership with Bloomsbury Football is very positive. What attracted me was the social impact. Of course, there's a technical impact and allows kids to develop their football on the technical side, but as well, giving access to more kids and tackling that financial gap," he said. "I think it's a very positive initiative."

The former striker later added that he is hopeful it will stop kids from getting involved in the wrong activities.

He said: "We're hopefully going to see that there are things that are difficult to see from your own eyes because maybe some of those kids, we never know what they would have done if they wouldn't have come to train on a regular basis and have a positive activity like this."

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Ange Postecoglou has urged the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy to wait it out to reap long-term rewards, whether that be with him or someone else. The Australian has come under heavy criticism in recent weeks and months.

"At some point, I think the club needs to stick to something. If I say it now, it sounds self-serving and defeats the purpose, so maybe not now… but I think that if you want to change the course of your events, you need to change materially a lot of things in terms of the way your outlook as a club."

The rumour mill is continually swirling, with new discussions emerging every day regarding the state of the former Celtic boss' tenure at the club, with speculation stating that the decision at the end-of-season review will be heavily reliant on the UEFA Europa League knockout stage. Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva have already had their names thrown into the hat, alongside Brentford's Thomas Frank.

Postecoglou, however, believes the best chance of turning the club's fortunes around depends on sticking with a manager through thick and thin, something Spurs have not done since the reign of Mauricio Pochettino.

Although these are unprecedented times for the club domestically and they are on track for their worst season since they were relegated in 1977, the Australian has a contract until 2027, but who knows whether the club will see fit to stick with their current Head Coach in an attempt to finally undergo that painful project they have craved for years.

Backlash from interaction with fans

Last night's loss to Chelsea was another episode in the clashes between Tottenham fans and Ange Postecoglou.

It is not the first time a situation has occurred between the loyal supporters and the man who makes the decisions on the pitch - a man who will be held responsible for overseeing a side who are currently sitting in 14th place in the Premier League.

The decision to bring off Lucas Bergvall for Pape Sarr was met with boos and chants of "you don't know what you're doing" from the travelling supporters, however, the Senegalese thought he had struck an equaliser less than five minutes later, with Postecoglou celebrating by cupping his ear and waving to the away end before VAR disallowed the goal.

Although he has since stated he didn't mean it in a harmful way, instead wanting to hear more noise to celebrate making it 1-1, it is just one of a number of incidents which have taken place.

When asked why he bothers dealing with aggro from fans, he supplied a mature answer, saying that he is trying to quash 'bullying' which could then be taken out of a football ground and into schools or onto the streets.

"If somebody says [picks up his phone and holds it up, as if recording], 'Hey, I didn't like that article', what do you think they are trying to achieve? What I think they're trying to achieve? They're not really interested in answering the question, they just want a reaction. They want their five minutes of fame because that's what this [the phone] gives them.

"Why are you holding up a phone? What are you trying to do? So you can put it on social media and say, 'Look, I got Ange Postecoglou to react, isn't that great'. I can take it, I'm 60 years old, I don't care. What if they take that in the schoolyard, what if they do that in general life, what if they do that to you?"

The incident that he is referring to was the clash he had with a fan when entering the tunnel at Craven Cottage following the 2-0 defeat before the international break, their last match before the defeat at Stamford Bridge, however, he also had a fiery exchange with fans at Bournemouth in December.

Has it been all doom and gloom?

Whilst it has been tough to follow The Lilywhites since their incredible start to the 2023/24 campaign, Postecoglou clearly believes it's harsh to dismiss the job he has done since taking over from the mess the side was left in by Antonio Conte.

“Fair to say this year hasn’t worked out. But that’s the other thing. We finished fifth last year. In another year, that would have been a Champions League spot. With people, it just doesn’t register. If you have five years at a club and you have maybe one or two disappointing years but you have three really strong years you’d say: ‘I’ll take that.’ But here you can’t have one good year … and last year was a good year, I don’t care what anybody says.

"We lost Harry [Kane]. I know everyone talks about our start. We lost Harry. We finished fifth. We changed the way we played. But it seems like, well, you have one good year, you have one poor year and then that’s it. Let’s move on to the next.

"But that’s what I accepted so I can’t sit here and say: ‘Ah, woe is me.’ That’s the challenge I accepted. Fair to say at the moment I’m not doing a good job of turning that mind-shift around. But as I said earlier, I am a fighter. I will continue fighting until told otherwise.”

Possibly, there is an egotistical issue amongst Spurs fans and their team, having had multiple years of Champions League football and high league finished under Mauricio Pochettino.

What some may seem to disregard from the memory bank is that the Argentinian changed the outlook at the club and although they have regressed in recent years - and there is no excuse for the current season, albeit it's seen unbespoke circumstances with injuries - has it been all bad under Ange's reign?

Roberts, now 65, made 278 appearances for Spurs between 1980 and 1986. He helped them win the FA Cup in 1981 and 1982, but he is most well-known for captaining Spurs to UEFA Cup glory in 1984.

With regular captain Steve Perryman suspended for the second leg in the final against Anderlecht, Roberts took the armband, scoring a late equaliser before converting his penalty in the shootout to guide Spurs to victory.

The six-time England international knows all about winning in N17, and he believes Spurs don't have enough leaders at the moment compared to the glory days of the 1980s under manager Keith Burkinshaw.

"We had so many leaders. [Glenn] Hoddle, [Steve] Perryman, [Chris] Hughton, [Tony] Galvin, Ossie [Ardiles], [Ricky] Villa, [Paul] Miller, and [Ray] Clemence. Not only were we a team of leaders, but we could all play and had character as well," he said.

"The game is short of characters, and Spurs especially lack characters and leaders on the pitch. This is so important as with different types of characters, especially those who need a lift during games; Spurs need to look at this in their next recruitment."

After a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last night, Spurs now sit 14th in the Premier League. It is the first time they have lost 16 of their opening 30 league games since 1977, with the only hope of success this campaign now in the Europa League.

Next Thursday, Spurs host Frankfurt, who sit third in the Bundesliga, in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals. Roberts' greatest moment came in UEFA's second-tier competition, and he admitted that he always felt they could fight back despite going 1-0 down in the second leg of the final to Anderlecht.

"It was the best! To be named captain as Perryman was out was the greatest highlight of my career," he told the site.

"There was no added pressure, and I think I thrived being captain as i scored and also created the penalty we got in the final. We were 1-0 down, but I always felt our team could come back and win."

Chelsea have returned to winning ways, kicking away the frustration of the 1-0 defeat suffered at Arsenal before the break.

It was a lively start from the Blues who started the encounter playing at tempo, with Nicolas Jackson getting in behind on occasions from direct balls over Spurs' high line.

A second half header from Enzo Fernandez put Chelsea in front, before a brilliant strike from Moises Caicedo that was questionably ruled out. At this point, however, it looked very unlikely that Spurs were going to find their way back into the game.

That was until the Lilywhites had a chance of their own late on, with their best opportunity coming through substitute Brennan Johnson, who teed up Heung Min Son at the far post. His attempt was saved by Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea had to hold out for the last several minutes, although the three points never really looked in doubt.

The race for Champions League spots is beginning to liven up - here are VAVEL's player ratings from the game.

Chelsea Player Ratings

Robert Sanchez – 7/10

Although he nearly gifted Spurs an equaliser with a moment he’ll be relieved didn’t end up on the scoresheet, Sanchez recovered to play a key role in Chelsea’s clean sheet.

His distribution stood out, especially with a couple of pinpoint long passes that helped relieve pressure in nervy moments. Most importantly, the Spaniard made a superb save late on to deny Tottenham and secure the win for his side.

Malo Gusto – 6/10

It was a mixed performance from the young right-back, who had some difficulties in possession and was occasionally sloppy under pressure.

However, he deserves credit for largely nullifying the threat of Heung-min Son, keeping the Spurs forward relatively quiet throughout. With Reece James returning from injury and watching most of the match from the bench, the comparison will be inevitable - and Gusto may find himself second choice again soon.

Trevoh Chalobah – 7/10

Chalobah brought real aggression and physicality to the backline, clearly up for the fight in a heated London derby. His involvement in a fiery altercation before half-time earned him a booking.

With Wesley Fofana sidelined again, this could be a vital spell for Chalobah to reassert himself and stake a claim for consistent starts under Maresca.

Levi Colwill – 6/10

Solid if unspectacular, Colwill quietly handled his business and played a vital role in keeping Dominic Solanke - once a Chelsea academy product -out of the game.

His strength in one-on-one duels and aerial presence helped keep Tottenham from building much momentum. After missing international duty, this was a timely return to action in a high-stakes clash.

Marc Cucurella – 7/10

One of Chelsea’s most in-form players this season, Cucurella again showcased why he’s become undroppable.

The Spaniard was a constant outlet on the left, combining well going forward while being tenacious in defence. With no senior alternative in his position currently available, his importance to this Chelsea team continues to grow with every passing game.

Enzo Fernandez – 8/10

Wearing the captain’s armband on the night, Fernandez led by example with a typically energetic and intelligent midfield display.

He timed his run perfectly to nod home Cole Palmer’s cross for the game’s only goal - a moment that ultimately made the difference. Fernandez continues to be a key cog in Maresca’s system, combining defensive awareness with goal threat from midfield.

Moises Caicedo – 9/10

Caicedo shrugged off an early knock to deliver a performance full of quality and defensive assurance. The Ecuadorian was everywhere - intercepting passes, breaking up Spurs' rhythm, and quickly launching Chelsea counters.

The 23-year-old was unfortunate to see his goal ruled out. Otherwise, a complete showing from a top-class performer.

Pedro Neto – 6/10

Neto worked hard across both flanks and helped maintain defensive shape, but was unable to make much of an impact in the final third.

Despite his willingness to track back and cover ground, he lacked the cutting edge needed to create real danger. A switch back to the left wing following Madueke’s introduction gave him more space, but chances remained limited.

Cole Palmer – 7/10

Palmer was Chelsea’s creative spark throughout and looked keen to end his goal drought at Stamford Bridge. While he didn’t find the net himself, his contribution was pivotal - delivering a pinpoint assist for Fernandez’s header just after the break.

His class and quality is always on show despite the from he's in, slowly but surely getting back to his best.

Jadon Sancho – 5/10

Sancho showed flashes of quality but once again looked like a player short on confidence. He had Chelsea’s best chance of the first half, drawing a fine save from Vicario, but his end product and decision-making let him down at crucial moments.

Much of Chelsea’s play went down the left side, but Sancho failed to make it count, showing a real lack of ability to create separation from his full-back.

Nicolas Jackson – 7/10

Jackson nearly marked his return with an early goal, latching onto a direct ball over the top inside the opening minute.

His movement and hold-up play gave Chelsea a much-needed focal point up front, stretching the Spurs back line and linking well with teammates. Though he didn’t score, his presence was felt - and his return from injury couldn’t have come at a better time in the season.

Substitutes

Noni Madueke – 6/10

Back from injury, Madueke brought fresh legs and attacking intent from the bench.

He slotted into the right wing and instantly looked to drive at defenders, adding width and urgency to Chelsea’s play. While he didn’t create any clear-cut chances, his pressing from the front was valuable as the Blues sought to close out the match.

Reece James – 6/10

Introduced in the second half, James offered calmness and composure during a tense final stretch. His ability to retain the ball under pressure and pick out smart passes helped Chelsea keep their nerve.

With his return carefully managed, Maresca will know how vital James could be in the coming weeks as the fixture list intensifies.

Tosin Adarabioyo – N/A

Came on late as Chelsea switched to a more defensive shape, tasked with helping preserve the narrow lead. Limited time, but did what was asked of him.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – N/A

Another late change by Maresca to add fresh legs and defensive work rate in midfield. Despite minimal minutes, he showed commitment in pressing and not being afraid to get stuck in.

Chelsea boosted their Champions League qualification hopes after a 1-0 win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in an edgy encounter.

A second half header from Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández in the 50th minute was enough to separate the sides, with Chelsea dominating every aspect but the score in the first half.

Spurs were looking to get some confidence back to their team, with a crucial Europa League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt to come next week. With just one win at Stamford Bridge in their entire Premier League history, they were looking to change this. However, this was not the day to do it as their struggles continue.

With teams around them in the table winning this week in Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, it was important that Chelsea got themselves three points in a tight race for the fourth placed Champions League spot. The fifth placed team is looking likely to also be given Champions League qualification but this is not a guarantee, making the fight for fourth even more important.

VAR had a major say in the evening’s result, with both teams seeing goals ruled out, but it was the header of Fernández that ultimately separated the sides.

Story of the Match

Chelsea could have easily been ahead by two or three goals at half time had their end product been better. Striker Nicolas Jackson almost gave them the perfect start with less than a minute played.

After getting onto the end of a long ball, it took a touch of both Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and defender Micky van de Ven before hitting the post. Full back Malo Gusto tested the Tottenham net moments later, his effort falling just wide of the post.

Tottenham kept playing with fire after some sloppy passes, with Vicario looking shaky after some questionable distribution. Nothing seemed to flow well for Tottenham, with a mixture of shaky defending and a lack of any attacking threat.

Chelsea continued to feed opportunities down the throats of Tottenham’s defence, Destiny Udogie getting a vital touch to prevent a certain Fernández opener after Cole Palmer’s ball into the box. Former Wolves forward Pedro Neto caused problems with his crossing, with one just missing the heads of Palmer and Jackson.

The only significant effort from Tottenham came from Son Heung-min, the South Korean international dribbling and stepping over, his low effort forcing a save from former Brighton man Robert Sánchez.

Vicario struggled in the first half immensely, but he produced the best save of the evening. Another Neto crossed threatened Tottenham, finding the feet of Jadon Sancho who curled an effort towards the top right corner before Vicario got his fingertips to it to keep the scores level at half time.

The game was not without its drama in a temper filled affair, with a scuffle towards the end of the first half involving many of the players on the field. It started between Cristian Romero and Trevor Chalobah, but soon descended to chaos with a huge melee.

Chelsea find their breakthrough in the second half

After a dominant first half performance that still managed to lack a clear-cut chance, the hosts made amends for this just five minutes into the second half.

Marc Cucurella found Palmer, who was making a long-awaited return to the first team. He took a touch and showed why he won PFA Young Player of the Year last season. His cross found the head of a free Fernández, who rose past Udogie and gave Chelsea the lead on what was his second goal of the season against Tottenham.

Chelsea thought they had doubled their lead, after midfielder Moisés Caicedo’s powerful effort raised the net. Fernández’s free kick was headed away, took a touch off Lucas Bergvall and was stuck back by Caicedo into the back of the net with a low driven powerful strike. After a lengthy check, the Ecuadorian’s second goal of the season was ruled out after Levi Colwill was deemed to be in an offside position.

Spurs had appeals for a penalty after they felt Udogie’s cross hit the hand of Chalobah. VAR did not agree but they soon thought they had found themselves level. After a header was won by Pape Matar Sarr, he hit a magnificent low effort past the weak hands of Robert Sánchez. However, the 22-year-old was deemed to have caught the knee of Caicedo and the goal was ruled out, with a yellow card to follow.

Spurs kept fighting and showed some character, Son being denied late on. Substitute Brennan Johnson drove down the right-hand side, finding the South Korean at the far post. Stretching out, Son’s effort was denied by Sánchez. It was too little too late for Spurs and the full-time whistle was blown after 12 minutes of added time followed.

Player of the match: Enzo Fernández

If anyone ever questioned the value of Fernández to Enzo Maresca’s side, then this performance was one to do it. With a goal and an assist for a goal that was ruled out by VAR, he was the heartbeat of this Chelsea side.

He dominated the midfield battle and had an impact going forward as well. He showcased a passion and drive that not many did during a drab affair.

Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts has shared his opinions on current affairs at the club, speaking about their looming UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie and Head Coach Ange Postecoglou.

Roberts, who is now 65, joined Spurs from Weymouth in 1980 and went on to make 278 appearances in North London, winning the FA Cup twice and a UEFA Cup, which has since been rebranded to the UEFA Europa League - a competition which could determine the future of Postecoglou.

His passion for the badge was second to none, with Roberts losing three teeth in the 1981 FA Cup final victory, yet refused to leave the pitch in order to help his side beat Manchester City. The defender also captained the side to their 1984 UEFA Cup triumph over Anderlecht and scored in the second leg of The Lilywhites' final against their Belgian opposition.

Question: You were a big part of Spurs' success in the 1984 UEFA Cup. What do you make of their chances in the Europa League this season, and more specifically, the fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt coming up?

"I think Spurs have a decent chance of winning the Europa League this season. If they can get all their top players fit and, on the pitch, they are a match for anyone.

"It will be tough, as we’re in the business end of the competition, but Spurs have the capability of competing with the best of the teams left. Solanke, Maddison, Van de Ven, Vicario especially are crucial to be fit and start. It’s been a tough and hard season for Spurs, but this is their chance to finish really well.”

If there is someone who knows how to bring home this trophy, and more specifically bring it home to North London, than it's Graham Roberts.

There is absolutely no doubt Spurs are one of the stronger sides on paper left in the competition, and they haven't had a bad campaign in Europe either. They have only failed to pick up a victory on three occasions, one of which was a draw in the League Phase, alongside losses against Galatasaray in the same phase and AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of the Round of 16 being the other.

Apart from the loss in the Netherlands, those other two games took place with The Lilywhites missing a number of key players, so if they can be kept fit, and perhaps the Europa League is prioritised, then there could be a high chance they could be set for a date in Bilbao for the final at the end of May.

All that stands in their way is 180 minutes against Frankfurt, who lost a key player and goalscorer in Omar Marmoush in January, and either Lazio or Bodø/Glimt in the semi-final. Tricky ties, but more than winnable.

Postecoglou's style of play

For the best part of 20 months now, we have seen the former Celtic boss order his Tottenham side to press high up the pitch, defend with a high line and throw plenty of bodies forward in attack. However, it has reached a point where some fans have questioned whether it is actually benefitting the side.

During his reign, we have seen an unnatural amount of injuries, whether that be in training or from the strenuous amounts of effort some have been required to put into matches due to their role, but what remains to be seen is whether or not his style of football has been a key factor to the several injury crises he has had to face.

There's no doubt this had had a direct detrimental effect on his side. For example, they were top of the league before a number of key players got injured last season, derailing the season and eventually finishing fifth. Whilst in the current campaign, having played throughout the busiest period of the season with around thirteen senior players fit, the Premier League season has been ruined after a strong start.

Question: What have you made of Ange Postecoglou's style of play - is it sustainable long-term?

"The first 10 games of last season were brilliant. We caught everyone by surprise and were top of the league, scoring plenty of goals and excellent football.

"But teams have now found us out and we aren’t adapting to the way other teams are playing. So I don’t think it is sustainable. You have to adapt in game to the way the game is going and the players you have on the pitch are key to selecting a style of play. I don’t think it’s one way with whoever you have fit."

If, as Graham Says, the football is unsustainable, then it begs the question of whether or not Postecoglou is the man to lead Spurs past the summer.

Already we are seeing rumours that state a review will take place at the end of the campaign, whilst names such as Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola and Fulham's Marco Silva have been thrown around as likely candidates to replace the Australian.

It's set to be a big final two months for Postecoglou if he is to continue into a third season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with his laurels most definitely depending on whether or not he can break a 17-year trophy duct and bring European success to N17.

Tottenham Hotspur overturned a first leg deficit to beat AZ Alkmaar 3-2 on aggregate and book their place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Goals from Wilson Odobert and James Maddison looked to set Spurs on their way, before AZ's Peer Koopmeiners brought the tie level in the 63rd minute. However, Odobert found the back of the net again with 15 minutes remaining to seal a crucial victory.

It is the first time they have reached the Europa League quarter-finals since the 2012/13 campaign. They will face Eintracht Frankfurt, who beat Ajax 6-2 on aggregate.

Spurs' season — and even Ange Postecoglou's job — was riding on this match. They sit 13th in the Premier League and this acts as their only opportunity to return to the Champions League.

They could have floundered under the pressure, but Spurs showcased how 'Ange Ball' – when clicking – can be effective. Odobert's opener, his first for the club, in the 27th minute came as a result of their high press.

In the second half, Maddison's 48th-minute strike saw Spurs elegantly move the ball from back to front, whilst the same happened for Odobert's winner in the 75th minute.

They were far from perfect — Koopmeiner's goal which temporarily brought the tie level in the second half came as a result of miscommunication from Odobert and Lucas Bergvall at the back — but this performance prolongs Spurs' hope for the campaign, and Postecoglou's managerial position.

Story of the Match

Tottenham made four changes from their team that drew 2-2 with Bournemouth at the weekend. Micky van de Ven, replacing the injured Kevin Danso, and Cristian Romero started alongside one another for just the second time since October 30th.

AZ, who didn't play at the weekend, made just one change; winger Ibrahim Sadiq replaced the injured Mayckel Lahdo.

With an electric atmosphere behind them, Spurs started with a high intensity that saw them have 73% possession in the opening 20 minutes. They failed to translate that into a single clear-cut chance early on, though.

'Ange Ball' has been under fire recently with Spurs 13th in the Premier League, but – when clicking – it focuses heavily on high pressing. Spurs showcased that 27 minutes in and they reaped the rewards to level the tie on aggregate.

Heung-Min Son pressed high and blocked Wouter Goes' clearance. It landed directly at Dominic Solanke's feet, who remained composed to set up Odobert. The Frenchman made no mistake with a confident finish into the top right corner to score his first Spurs goal.

Spurs continued to dominate proceedings in the first half, but they did start to make a few needless mistakes in their own defensive third. While AZ never threatened, it proved that the hosts needed to keep their pressure on with the aggregate score level at half-time.

After the break, they did exactly that and led on aggregate for the first time within three minutes. They dispossessed AZ in the middle of the park and broke quickly. Maddison sprayed it out wide to Son, with the South Korean returning it to the playmaker within the box. He found space to curl a delightful effort into the bottom right corner.

Losing on aggregate for the first time, AZ tried to fight back. Jordy Clasie placed a low effort from the edge of the box narrowly wide of the left post just before the hour mark, and they were eventually rewarded in the 64th minute.

AZ gifted Spurs their opening goal of the night — and Spurs returned the favour this time around. Bergvall's back pass on the edge of their own box accidentally hit teammate Odobert, with Koopmeiners capitalising. He picked up possession and fired a powerful strike past Guglielmo Vicario.

It eventually turned into a tennis match — back and forth AZ and Spurs went looking for the lead on aggregate — and eventually the hosts 'took a set' with 15 minutes to go.

Spurs moved the ball from back to front brilliantly via a stunning turn and run deep in their own half. He sprayed it out wide, with Son finding Djed Spence on the overlap. The full-back played a low ball into the box to Solanke and his stunning flick set up Odobert at the back post to tap home.

Considered a contender for Spurs' goal of the season, they had control in the tie once again, but they were forced to valiantly defend for the final 15 minutes.

In quick succession, Vicario denied Troy Parrott with a firm save whilst Yves Bissouma produced a stunning last-ditch block to ruin Mees de Mit's dreams. Met with a raucous applause by the home fans, Spurs gave it everything — and eventually held on to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Player of the Match – James Maddison

When Maddison is at his best, there are very few better. After a quiet first half, he came to life in the second period, making it 2-0 in the 48th minute before being at the heart of Spurs' third goal.

His dazzling turn and run set Spurs on their way before Odobert tapped it home — and, when you need moments of magic in big matches, he provided exactly that.

High-flying Bournemouth take on Tottenham Hotspur in North London for an early Sunday kick-off, which promises to be full of intensity and attacking play.

The Cherries currently sit in 7th place and three points off of Chelsea in 5th place, which is expected to be enough to qualify for the Champions League given current coefficients.

For Spurs, the hope and promise during pre-season has all but disappeared completely, due to their difficult campaign and this has meant that the club sits in a lowly 13th place and ten points behind their weekend opponents.

The reverse fixture in December last year saw the Cherries win 1-0 through a Dean Huijsen goal and travelling fans will be hoping they can once again profit from Spurs’ shortcomings to bring home an important three points.

Targeting Spurs’ centre back duo

Bournemouth have made a habit of unsettling opposition defenders this season with their intensity, pace, and fluid attacking play.

Their relentless pressing and well-structured patterns have led to free-kicks, penalties, and costly mistakes, making them one of the most difficult sides to defend against in transition.

With the return of Evanilson, alongside the recent returns of Marcus Tavernier and Luis Sinisterra, the Cherries’ attack is once again operating at full throttle.

Andoni Iraola now has the squad depth to rotate effectively, ensuring fresh legs can maintain high intensity throughout the game.

Spurs, too, have also had their fair share of injury struggles this season, particularly with injuries to Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven hurting most—two players crucial to their high-line setup.

In their absence, recent loan signing Kevin Danso has been introduced alongside Archie Gray, a midfielder by trade, who has adapted well to the role.

Whilst Danso is a strong, experienced defender, Gray has shown composure beyond his years.

But their partnership remains relatively new, making them vulnerable to Bournemouth’s high-tempo, aggressive attack.

Tottenham have kept just one clean sheet in their last six games, highlighting their defensive fragility and with Bournemouth’s attackers in excellent form, there will be plenty of opportunities to test and expose Spurs’ centre back duo.

Keeping the Cherries out for 90 minutes will require an exceptional defensive display from the hosts, or else they risk being overwhelmed by Bournemouth’s attacking firepower.

Kluivert’s away form

Justin Kluivert has been sensational for Bournemouth this season, emerging as the team’s most dangerous player going forward.

In 26 Premier League appearances, the Dutchman has registered 12 goals and 5 assists, a remarkable improvement on his 7 goals and 1 assist from last season.

His development under Iraola has been evident, and his performances have reached another level.

However, what stands out most is Kluivert’s exceptional away form.

Of his 17 goal contributions, a staggering 13 have come away from home, highlighting just how much he thrives in Bournemouth’s high-intensity system on the road.

His ability to exploit space, drive at defenders, and produce moments of magic has made him one of the most effective away-day players in the league this season.

Much of Kluivert’s success stems from his blistering pace, strength, and fearless dribbling, which makes him a nightmare for defenders to contain.

His versatility is also key, as he is just as effective cutting in from the wing as he is playing centrally, giving his manager a valuable attacking weapon that can disrupt even the most well-organised of defences.

His form since the turn of the year has been outstanding, with eight goal contributions in his last eight games, further cementing his status as one of the Premier League’s most in-form attackers.

With another away trip to Spurs on Sunday, the question now is—can Kluivert continue his incredible run on the road and add to Tottenham’s growing list of problems?

Fierce battles expected

Both Bournemouth and Tottenham are known for their high-intensity, fast-paced football, whether in their pressing game or attacking transitions.

With two aggressive, front-foot teams going head-to-head, Sunday’s clash is set to be anything but slow or dull.

And the stats highlight just how physical and high-energy this game could be.

Tottenham rank second in the league for progressive carries, showcasing their desire to drive forward with the ball but they also sit second for the number of times dispossessed, meaning their aggressive dribbling style can leave them vulnerable to being caught out.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, are fourth in the league for tackles and interceptions, so they are more than equipped to disrupt Spurs’ rhythm and force mistakes.

When it comes to Bournemouth, they enjoy attacking success from a vertical style of play and are particularly effective when launching long balls for Evanilson and Antoine Semenyo to chase with strict focus on shifting the ball up the pitch as quickly as possible.

With Tottenham’s high-line this could prove to be a fruitful tactic.

But even outside of the attacking play, this fixture will be fiercely contested.

Bournemouth have committed the most fouls in the league, whilst Spurs rank in the top three for most fouls won—suggesting plenty of battles in midfield as the visitors will look to hound the Spurs players all over the pitch.

One of Spurs’ strengths lies in their counter-attacks and having scored 10 goals from counters, the second-highest in the league, Bournemouth must be wary of the tie turning into a basketball game.

That being said, Bournemouth have conceded just one counter-attacking goal all season—the best record in the division.

So if the Cherries can maintain their defensive discipline and physicality, they have every chance of frustrating their hosts and taking full advantage of any defensive lapses in transition.

Christie a doubt

Bournemouth have had plenty of standout performers this season, with Kluivert, Semenyo, Milos Kerkez, and Illia Zabarnyi often taking the headlines.

However, one player who has quietly been crucial to Iraola’s system is Ryan Christie.

His work rate, defensive tenacity, and intelligent ball progression have been vital in allowing his teammates to flourish.

Christie’s ability to disrupt opposition play while also moving the ball forward efficiently makes him an integral part of Bournemouth’s midfield.

However, after coming off in the first half against Brighton and missing the FA Cup clash with Wolves last weekend, concerns have grown over his fitness levels heading into this crucial phase of the season.

Fortunately, Bournemouth have depth in midfield.

Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook have both had excellent seasons, but with Cook expected to continue at right back, Alex Scott is likely to keep his place alongside Adams in the middle, just as he did in the FA Cup.