Tottenham Hotspur’s turbulent season took another hit on Sunday as they fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Despite Ange Postecoglou making several changes to the starting lineup following their 3-1 Europa League victory over AZ Alkmaar just days earlier, Spurs delivered an uninspired performance that left fans and pundits deeply concerned.
One of the most vocal critics of Tottenham’s display was former Watford striker and current BBC pundit Troy Deeney, who expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s approach, particularly highlighting the performances of Rodrigo Bentancur and Mathys Tel.
Deeney Slams Bentancur and Tel’s Lack of Work Rate
Speaking on Match of the Day 2, Deeney dissected Tottenham’s lackluster performance and was particularly unimpressed by the defensive work rate of Bentancur and Tel in the opening moments of the game. The former Premier League forward pointed to a specific instance early on that, in his view, set the tone for Spurs’ struggles throughout the match.
“We could have showed you every single player giving the ball away, but we’re just going to highlight these two,” Deeney said while analyzing the footage.
“[Rodrigo] Bentancur and Tel, who the manager just spoke about – wanted to get fit, just look, this is two minutes into the game.
“Look at the difference in running. Obviously, they turn the ball over, it’s a three versus two defensively, which is not great.
“But look, look at Tel, look at Bentancur running past him – that can’t happen at any level.”
Deeney’s critique highlighted Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities, with both players failing to track back effectively in a key moment early in the match. This lapse allowed Fulham to exploit gaps in Spurs’ defensive shape, setting the stage for a long and frustrating evening for the North London side.
Tottenham’s Form Hits a New Low
Sunday’s defeat marked Tottenham’s 15th loss in 29 league matches this season, equaling their worst record at this stage of a Premier League campaign. With just nine matches remaining, Spurs now find themselves languishing in 14th place, a far cry from the European qualification spots they had hoped to compete for at the beginning of the season.
If their struggles continue, Tottenham could finish outside the top 10 for the first time since the 2007/08 season, when they ended up in 11th place under Juande Ramos. Given the club’s ambitions and recent investments, such a finish would be considered disastrous.
Postecoglou Under Pressure as Concerns Grow
With Tottenham’s league campaign unraveling, pressure is mounting on manager Ange Postecoglou. The Australian tactician was praised for his attacking style earlier in the season, but results have taken a sharp downturn, and questions are now being asked about his ability to turn things around.
Some reports suggest that Postecoglou’s future could be in jeopardy, particularly if Tottenham fail to progress past the Europa League quarter-finals. A European exit could be the final straw for club officials, with speculation already swirling about potential replacements should the board decide to make a managerial change.
Crucial Clash Against Chelsea Looms
Tottenham will now look to regroup during the international break before facing a difficult trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea on April 3. With their European hopes fading and pressure mounting on Postecoglou, this fixture could prove pivotal in determining the club’s trajectory for the remainder of the season.
A positive result against Chelsea could provide a much-needed boost, but another defeat would only add to the growing uncertainty surrounding Tottenham’s future. For now, all eyes are on how Postecoglou and his squad respond to their latest setback.
“Look, during our time, with performances like this, they won’t even make the Bench” – BBC pundit Troy Deeney disgusted by what he saw Tottenham stars do 2 minutes into defeat v Fulham
