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After a blistering start to life in North London, Ange Postecoglou’s stats show Tottenham Hotspur are facing their first significant slump of the season. Spurs have now won just 1 of their last 6 games across all competitions, raising questions about the team’s depth, adaptability, and their manager’s ability to navigate challenging circumstances. He even got into a heated discussion with the fans after a disappointing midweek loss to Bournemouth. Despite the dip, Postecoglou’s track record and the underlying numbers suggest there is still hope for a successful campaign.
The Highs of Ange’s Start
When Postecoglou arrived at Tottenham, expectations were tempered. However, the Australian manager exceeded all projections early on, leading Spurs to their best-ever Premier League start after 10 games. They accumulated 26 points from those matches, showcasing a high-pressing, possession-based style that quickly won over fans.
Statistically, Spurs ranked in the top three for key metrics during this period:
- Goals Scored: Averaging 2.4 per game.
- Possession: 61%, behind only Manchester City and Arsenal.
- Expected Goals (xG): 21.3, indicating sustainable attacking performance.
Postecoglou’s faith in attacking players like James Maddison and Son Heung-min paid dividends, with Son transitioning seamlessly into a central striker role, netting 9 goals in the opening 10 fixtures.
The Injury Crisis
The current downturn in form coincides with a significant injury crisis. Key defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven—crucial to Postecoglou’s high line—are sidelined, forcing makeshift pairings in defense. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who has been instrumental with the league’s third-highest save percentage (78%) during the initial run, is also out.
- Clean Sheets: They have kept just 3 clean sheets in the Premier League this season
- Goals conceded: Despite this, they have conceded just 15 goals, only 2 teams (Liverpool and Arsenal) have better defensive records.
Offensive Stagnation
While the injuries have hampered defensive solidity, Tottenham’s attack have reason for concern regarding their consistency. Key creators like James Maddison have seen their output drop, partly due to a lack of support and movement caused by squad rotation and fatigue. Big wins against Man United, Man City, and West Ham (scoring 12 goals in those games) have hidden the inconsistency in their results.
Postecoglu Stats: Room for Optimism
Despite the recent struggles, Postecoglou’s underlying numbers still suggest potential for recovery:
- Expected Points (xP): Tottenham’s xP during the slump remains above their actual points tally, indicating a degree of misfortune.
- Pressing Stats: Spurs remain among the league leaders in successful pressures per game, highlighting that the team’s philosophy hasn’t been abandoned.
- Brennan Johnson’s Rise: The young forward has emerged as a bright spot, scoring plenty of goals and creating multiple chances.
Lessons from Postecoglou’s History
Postecoglou is no stranger to adversity. At Celtic, he endured a shaky start before leading the club to a domestic treble. His success was built on his ability to adapt while staying true to his philosophy. Spurs fans can take solace in this history.
The Path Forward
To turn things around, Spurs need a combination of tactical tweaks and injury recoveries:
- Defensive Stability: Integrating young defenders like Radu Dragusin could provide temporary relief until Romero and Van de Ven return.
- Squad Rotation: Increased game time for players like Yves Bissouma and Destiny Udogie could reduce fatigue among key starters.
- Attacking Innovation: Leveraging Son’s versatility and the resurgence of Brennan Johnson could revitalize their attack. Utilising the Swede Dejan Kulusevski in a slightly different role has allowed him to shine
- Dominic Solanke: The English striker has shown that he has what it takes to lead a team and fill the hold Harry Kane has left. It’s up to the manager to fit him into the system and get him firing again. Check out our dedicated article on the forward here
Conclusion
While Tottenham’s recent form has been underwhelming, the “Postecoglou stats” reveal a team that is still performing in several key areas. If the Australian manager can navigate the current storm—as he has done in the past—Spurs could yet finish the season on a high. The next few weeks will be crucial, both for Postecoglou and the faith of the Tottenham faithful.
