Emmanuel Petit hits out at Spurs under Postecoglou – ‘No clue, no solution, no energy’
Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has shared his thoughts on Tottenham’s ongoing struggles under Ange Postecoglou, suggesting that the Spurs boss looks out of ideas.
Is Ange Postecoglou really clueless at Spurs?
Speaking to Ladbrokes, Petit claimed that Postecoglou seems “tired” and without a clear plan to tackle Spurs‘ challenges. Of course, Ange hit back at these comments in the best way by beating Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final while keeping a clean sheet against the likes of Salah.
Emmanuel Petit said: “For Ange Postecoglou, every time I watch him in press conferences, I just think he’s getting tired. No clue, no solution, no energy, to cope with the situation.”
Petit also cited the club’s dressing room unrest, frustrated fans, and a long list of injuries as major challenges, stating: “There are so many things which aren’t going well at the club; supporters want Daniel Levy out, there are problems in the dressing room, on the pitch… to be honest, I have no idea what the solution is. The first step is getting everyone back from injury, as soon as possible. From there, you improve results and build on confidence.”
Petit wasn’t wrong to highlight the Tottenham injury crisis. Spurs have been operating with just one fit senior centre-back, who isn’t even fully fit himself. Injuries, illnesses, and suspensions continue to limit Postecoglou’s options, making his job all the more difficult.
The statistics paint a dull picture: Spurs have lost more Premier League games than they’ve won this season, a sharp decline from their early-season promise in 2023.
Heung-min Son – who recently extended his contract until 2026 – was expected to lead by example. However, his performances have been inconsistent lately. Petit questioned: “Where is he [Son]? I feel like he’s not there anymore.”
When Son isn’t scoring, his influence disappears, and he often fails to track back defensively. It’s not entirely his fault; the congested fixture schedule has stretched the squad to its limit. Still, the team clearly lacks leaders in the dressing room, especially during tough periods like this.
A Tottenham rebuilding process without guarantees
Rebuilds take time and the process is never meant to look appealing. Spurs are undergoing one of the most significant squad overhauls in recent memory under Postecoglou. Five years ago, Spurs’ starting XI looked completely different, and while the current squad has an average age of just 24.9 – the third-youngest in the league, this youthfulness comes with inexperience.
When you look at Chelsea’s rebuild, it looked very disorganised from the outside and they drew criticism for spending huge amounts only to finish mid-table, but their investments eventually bore fruit and that’s evident in their league position currently.
However, comparisons with Chelsea’s recent rebuild are tempting but misleading. Chelsea spent a staggering £1.31 billion since the 2022/23 season to transform their squad, while Spurs’ spending of £617.35 million over the same period doesn’t match their rivals’ wage structure or recruitment clout. Chelsea’s financial muscle gave them a safety net that Spurs simply don’t have.
Is Ange Postecoglou to blame for Spurs struggles?
People questioned whether Postecoglou’s stubbornness is hindering Spurs, particularly his reluctance to adapt tactics to opponents. However, the former midfielder defended the Australian: “I’m not saying he deserves to be sacked… but something has to change…
“He’s trying to find the best way to solve all of his problems, and maybe he’s upset with the behaviour of some of his players, not only on the pitch, but off it.”
Postecoglou’s attacking style has yielded 42 goals in 20 games – only Liverpool have scored more. Critics often point to the 30 goals conceded, but how often has Postecoglou fielded his first-choice defenders? The recent centre-back pairing of Archie Gray and Djed Spence – neither natural in the role – demonstrated the severity of the injury crisis.
Mentality is key and the bigger picture
Petit, who was once very close to signing for Tottenham Hotspur before he eventually decided to move to the other side of North London, then gave his opinion on the club’s mentality saying: “The mentality of this club has to change. The vision has to change.”
Petit’s comments may align with what many have noted: Spurs’ mentality needs a significant overhaul. Even former captain Hugo Lloris hinted at this. This mentality issue extends beyond tactics and into the club’s DNA.
Despite the criticism, Petit, an Arsenal legend himself, defended Postecoglou more than some Spurs fans have. That says a lot about how divided the fanbase is right now.
Tottenham face a series of challenges, and while Ange Postecoglou’s stubbornness might frustrate some, it’s unfair to place all the blame on him. Injuries, an incomplete rebuild, and a lack of leadership have all fairly contributed to the club’s struggles.
As Petit said, getting players fit is the first step. From there, perhaps Postecoglou can prove his doubters wrong and guide Spurs towards stability and, eventually, success.
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