Ange Postecoglou has been a breath of fresh air to Tottenham Hotspur this season following his summer arrival.
One of the things the Treble-winner at Celtic has changed at Hotspur Way is the style of play and bringing that attacking flair back to the table.
But in recent times, he is now starting to witness the dark side of being the Tottenham manager after their north London derby defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
Going into the match, Arsenal’s Premier League title dreams were on the line and their opponents’ Champions League hopes.
One of the main talking points was Tottenham’s style of play – their recent defeat was a 4-0 loss at Newcastle United – and if Ange Postecoglou would still implement that against one of the best teams in the division.
Tim Sherwood highlighted that as a warning to his former team before the match and the issues facing Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, as he told Premier League Productions (28/04/24 at 1:40 pm).
READ MORE: Ian Wright and Tim Sherwood rage at Tottenham-Arsenal controversy in the north London derby.
In the game itself, they were probably one of the very few players showing fight for their team and Romero even proved to be more of a threat in the attacking third than his teammates.
But Sherwood stated, before a ball was kicked, that their manager asks too many questions of their centre-backs and it ‘takes its toll’.
You think that happened in the north London derby because Spurs’ issues from corners and the space in behind their defence was their downfall, with Romero and van de Ven, once again, having a lot of work to do.
But whatever you think, and whatever the likes of Sherwood feel, the man at Hotspur Way isn’t going to change for anyone.
Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero for Tottenham
“Van de ven has been brilliant and we know how quick he is and then there is Romero,” said Sherwood.
“The last thing the centre-backs want. They don’t mind sticking to the plan of the manager, but coming out and running into fullback areas and having to make up that ground. 40 and 50-yard recovery runs all of the time, it takes its toll. No matter how quick van de Ven is.
“It’s alright doing it now and again. But when your team is dominating you, like Arsenal today. They will dominate possession and they will do it time and time again. It’s taxing on your legs and your mind. They can’t cope after a certain period of time, so it will be interesting to see if he adapts that.”
Damaging defeat for Tottenham
You wonder what will hurt more. Losing to Arsenal or giving them a push in the Premier League title race?
What makes matters worse is that, if Spurs beat Manchester City next month, and Arsenal win their remaining matches, then their rivals will become champions.
It’s the worst possible scenario and one the fans will be dreading as the coming weeks commence.
Given that the Man City game will be Tottenham’s penultimate match of the season, there is also every chance that Champions League football has gone by then and in the hands of Aston Villa.
And if that happens, then the supporters just won’t know how to feel!
The post ’They can’t cope’: Tim Sherwood’s pre-match claim about Tottenham duo & Postecoglou came true after NLD defeat appeared first on TBR Football.
