Ange Postecoglou has been enduring a difficult season in North London, with a series of underwhelming performances (and injuries) leaving the Lilywhites in the second half of the English top-tier table (Spurs are 14th in the Premier League at the time of writing), and the opportunities for silverware beyond the Premier League are exhausting, with exits from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup last week further adding to woes.
And the pressure on Ange has been growing, with the majority of the fan base at N17 calling for the Australian to be shown the door as concerns about the club’s future continue to rise. Many supporters have grown discontent with his all-out attacking playing style and the lack of adaptability has cost us numerous times.
Son questioned…
Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson has now spoken about the commitment of the players to the badge and, in particular, to the head coach while citing the club’s captain, Heung-min Son. The South Korean has been having an equally underwhelming season as the Lilywhites, and now there have been questions raised about whether the former Bayer Leverkusen player possesses the same passion for playing at N17, complemented with questions about the intensity that once made him one of the Premier League’s most formidable attackers.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast via Youtube, Thompson said:
“So I think them with Ange has been a thing. I do think it’s always hard when you get so many injuries and when they keep on coming, and it’s hard. But I look at some of his players who seem to have lost their way; are they not listening to Ange anymore?”
“The biggest one is Son. What has happened to him at that point? He was a match-winner.
“He was full of energy. And this season, it’s not just in these last couple of months. He has looked so short of it.
“He looks as though he’s not got the passion, the commitment, the ability anymore. Doesn’t look as though he’s got that pace. And he’s the one who just is what Tottenham have been all about this year.”
He can still carry Tottenham this season
Son, once the embodiment of energy and attacking prowess, has looked uncharacteristically subdued this season. Given his reputation as a tireless worker and an emotional leader, his apparent drop in intensity raises important questions: Is it fatigue? A tactical mismatch? Or something deeper within the squad’s mentality?
One key factor to consider is the injury crisis that has plagued Tottenham this season. As Thompson rightly points out, a revolving door of absences disrupts rhythm and chemistry, making it difficult for players like Son to maintain their usual levels. Additionally, Postecoglou’s high-risk, high-reward attacking philosophy demands relentless pressing and movement—something Son thrived on in previous seasons. However, if confidence is low and results aren’t going their way, even the most dynamic players can lose their spark.
There’s also the question of leadership. As club captain, Son bears the responsibility of rallying the squad during difficult periods. If his own performances are faltering, it could indicate broader dressing-room issues, such as tactical uncertainty or even waning faith in the manager’s approach. This aligns with Thompson’s suggestion that some players may no longer be fully responding to Postecoglou’s methods.
More Tottenham Hotspur News:
- Tottenham ready to break the bank to retain 26-year-old defensive colossus
- Spanish side send message hinting at €15 million Tottenham transfer
- Liverpool star could quit Anfield in the summer; Tottenham remain keen
That being said, it would be premature to write Son off. He remains a top-tier attacker with proven quality, and a return to form could be just around the corner. The real test now is whether Postecoglou can reinvigorate his squad and adapt his tactics to ensure that key players, including Son, rediscover their best form before the season slips away.
