Prefer it or not, over the previous few months, Tottenham's unending harm struggles have served as a good excuse for his or her hopeless, dismal kind.
However as their inflated checklist of notable absentees slowly begins to subside, Ange Postecoglou will probably be held to increased requirements – rightly so.
Defeat to AZ Alkmaar in Holland on Thursday night time was not catastrophic however failure to overturn the 1-0 deficit in subsequent week's crunch second leg might show terminal for the Aussie because the membership's gruelling 17-year await a trophy threatens to rumble on.
Spurs' disgruntled fanbase, significantly match-going followers who paid their hard-earned money to journey abroad in midweek, have each proper to voice their frustrations after Tottenham's turgid European exhibiting – a match that they had eight days to arrange for – given they solely registered only one sole shot on course.
It was not solely shocking that Guglielmo Vicario's post-match efforts to rally the travelling devoted weren’t properly acquired, they have been misguided and borderline insulting given the stark lack of character, high quality and want on show.
Whereas the Italian ought to, to some extent, be counseled for his ardour and for later clarifying his emotional actions, phrases and theatre nonetheless depend for valuable little given Spurs' season might successfully be all however over in simply 4 days' time.
Buoyant Bournemouth, who beat Spurs 1-0 in December on the Vitality Stadium, are hardly the best opponent while you're desperately chasing a morale-boosting victory, both.
For now, Postecoglou retains the help of the Tottenham hierarchy, however the fanbase's persistence is carrying skinny and it feels as if the 59-year-old is preventing a dropping battle in his quest to maintain his head above water in north London.
Sadly, as a lot as he's introduced a refreshing humility and honesty to the Premier League since his arrival from Celtic in the summertime of 2023, it has grow to be more and more exhausting to defend him and his staff's evident lack of progress.
Tactically, Spurs have regarded inept on numerous events this season, there was no Plan B and apart from persistent rotation, no actual innovation or creativity to wrestle again a recreation and swing momentum of their favour.
A staggering 18 defeats from 41 matches in all competitions is a surprising return for a membership of Tottenham's ambition and the gamers too, should discover it inside themselves to rally collectively and rescue the trajectory of their ill-fated marketing campaign.
For all of their flaws and deficiencies, all could be forgotten in the event that they have been to win the Europa League and safe qualification for subsequent season's Champions League.
Time is of the essence, nevertheless, and failure to beat Bournemouth or at the very least flip in a reputable efficiency would significantly complicate preparations for the do-or-die conflict with AZ.
The sideshow of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven's health represents one other big check of Postecoglou's judgement. Each travelled to Holland however have been unused substitutes, although it will be a serious increase if Spurs have been capable of name upon the duo for the return fixture.
The primary hurdle is getting valuable minutes below their belt in opposition to the Cherries however Postecoglou will probably be reluctant to hurry their returns given the varied setbacks they've endured of their recoveries. In assault, Spurs have additionally blanked of their previous two matches which means there’s loads to ponder for the Aussie, who’s hoping Dominic Solanke will probably be match to face his former aspect.
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