Tottenham Hotspur’s disappointing loss to Ipswich on Sunday has raised serious concerns, and manager Ange Postecoglou faces a difficult task during the international break. The defeat saw Spurs miss an opportunity to close the gap on the Premier League’s top four, leaving them three points adrift. Ipswich, the only winless side in the division before the match, claimed their first top-flight victory since 2002, with Sam Szmodics and Liam Delap scoring for the visitors. Rodrigo Bentancur’s second-half strike for Tottenham proved little more than a consolation as Ipswich held firm. This unexpected result highlighted some serious issues within the squad, especially as Spurs prepare for a challenging run of fixtures that includes Manchester City and Chelsea.
The defeat exposed weaknesses in several players’ performances, and Postecoglou now faces the possibility of making tough decisions about his starting lineup when league football resumes. One player who underperformed significantly was Radu Dragusin. The 22-year-old defender was Tottenham’s worst performer, struggling both in the air and on the ground. A key moment in the match saw Dragusin fail to react when goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario pushed the ball into his path, allowing Delap to pounce and score Ipswich’s winning goal. Dragusin’s mistake proved costly, and with Micky van de Ven’s return from injury on the horizon, it seems likely that Dragusin will be relegated to the bench for upcoming matches unless his form improves.
Timo Werner also failed to make an impact after coming on as a substitute late in the game. The German forward squandered a golden opportunity to equalise when he blazed a shot over the bar from close range. Werner’s lack of composure in front of goal has been a recurring issue throughout his career, and this miss only reinforced his reputation for underperformance. Given the competitive nature of the squad, it seems unlikely that Werner will be considered for a starting role in Tottenham’s next fixtures unless he can demonstrate more reliability.
Another player who may benefit from a spell on the sidelines is Brennan Johnson. After an excellent start to the season, the Welshman has seen his form dip in recent weeks. Johnson, who had been in fine scoring form earlier in the campaign, has found the net only once in his last four Premier League appearances. This sudden drop-off in performance might be linked to the pressure of expectations, and a break could provide the reset Johnson needs to rediscover his earlier form. With Tottenham’s attacking options already under scrutiny, Postecoglou may look to give Johnson a breather, allowing him to come back refreshed and ready to contribute more consistently.
For Spurs, this loss has been a stark reminder of the fragility of their current squad. Despite playing well for large stretches of the season, they remain inconsistent, especially when faced with teams that are battling relegation. As Postecoglou works to address these issues during the international break, it’s clear that the upcoming matches will be critical in determining whether Spurs can remain in the race for a top-four finish. Their next opponents, including Manchester City and Chelsea, represent tough tests, and Postecoglou will need to make some key decisions regarding team selection and tactics. The upcoming weeks could prove pivotal in shaping the rest of Tottenham’s season.
Ultimately, Tottenham’s poor performance against Ipswich has cast a shadow over their early-season optimism. With several players failing to step up when needed, it’s clear that Postecoglou’s team still has much to prove. While the international break offers a chance to regroup and reassess, Spurs will need a much-improved showing in their next few matches if they are to remain competitive at the top end of the Premier League.
