Tottenham fans say Ange Postecoglou has been using £45m player in the wrong position after 4-2 defeat vs Wolves

It was another disappointing day for Tottenham Hotspur fans and their manager Ange Postecoglou at Molineux, as Spurs were beaten 4-2 by Wolves. But beyond the poor result, supporters are now raising serious questions about how Postecoglou is using one of the team’s brightest young stars—Mathys Tel.

The 19-year-old Frenchman, on loan from Bayern Munich, showed flashes of brilliance during the match, especially when playing on the left wing. But many fans believe Tel has been misused ever since joining Spurs in February, and they’re now demanding change. Let’s break down what happened against Wolves, how Tel’s performance has reignited debate about his best position, and what it could mean for the future of both the player and the manager.

The match couldn’t have started any worse for Tottenham. Within just two minutes, Wolves were already ahead thanks to a strike by Rayan Aït-Nouri. Ironically, Aït-Nouri has been linked with a move to Spurs in recent months, but on Sunday, he punished the North London club.

The goal came after a poor punch by Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who failed to clear the ball properly, allowing Wolves to take advantage. It set the tone for a chaotic first half from Tottenham, especially at the back. Things got worse in the 33rd minute when Vicario once again found himself in trouble. After flapping at a cross, the Italian tried to punch the ball away but instead hit his own teammate, Djed Spence. The ball deflected off Spence and rolled into the net. 2-0 to Wolves—and Tottenham looked completely lost.

Despite the poor team performance, there was one bright moment for Spurs fans—and it came from Mathys Tel. For one of the first times since joining Tottenham, the young forward was given a chance to play on the left wing rather than through the middle.

Tel looked confident, creative, and dangerous. He took on defenders, made smart runs, and capped off his lively display with a well-taken goal in the second half. It was a reminder of the talent Spurs have on their hands—but also a question: why hasn’t he been used in this role more often?

Since arriving from Bayern Munich, Mathys Tel has made 11 appearances for Tottenham. But surprisingly, seven of those came as a center-forward—even though most of his success in Germany came from playing wide.

In the four games where Tel has played on the left wing, he has now scored twice. When used through the middle, his only goal came from a penalty. This simple statistic has not gone unnoticed by Tottenham fans, who have taken to social media to express their frustration with Ange Postecoglou’s tactics. One fan described it as “absolutely insane” that Tel hasn’t played more on the left. Another supporter compared the situation to “a square peg in a round hole,” criticizing the manager for forcing Tel to play out of his natural position.

Much of the criticism of Postecoglou also ties back to how he’s been using the club’s captain, Heung-Min Son. The South Korean forward has played most of the season on the left wing, but fans feel his impact in that role has dropped significantly. So far this season, Son has only managed 8 goals in 34 appearances when playing on the left. Compared to his performances in central roles in the past, this is a clear decline.

One angry fan called Son “decrepit,” saying Tel looked “so athletic and bright” in comparison. It may sound harsh, but it reflects the growing belief that Son’s time as the team’s primary left winger may be coming to an end

In recent weeks, many fans have been calling for a front three of Mathys Tel on the left, Dominic Solanke through the middle, and Wilson Odobert on the right. It’s a trio that offers speed, youth, and flair. Against Wolves, they finally got to see part of that dream come true, as Tel started on the left and Solanke led the line. Unfortunately, Odobert missed the match due to a hamstring injury

Some fans fear that Ange Postecoglou is too stubborn to make the changes that are clearly needed. Even after Tel’s strong performance, supporters believe the manager will stick to his usual line-up and continue playing Son on the left in the next match against Eintracht Frankfurt.  This perceived unwillingness to adapt has started to raise doubts about Postecoglou’s long-term future at the club. While he brought fresh energy when he arrived, questions are now being asked about whether he can take Spurs to the next level.

Tottenham reportedly have the option to buy the young forward for £45 million at the end of the season. But it’s a lot of money, and with uncertainty around the manager’s future, there’s no guarantee that Spurs will make the deal permanent.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Tottenham do see Tel as a key part of their future plans. However, the club would likely try to negotiate a lower fee with Bayern Munich before making any final decision. Mathys Tel is still only 19 years old, but he’s already shown the kind of potential that top clubs are always searching for. He’s fast, technical, and fearless. He can beat defenders, score goals, and make smart runs.

But like all young players, he needs the right guidance—and most importantly, he needs to play in his best position. If Tottenham are serious about building a team for the future, then Tel should be part of it. And that means using him correctly—on the left wing, not as a central striker.

Interestingly, one fan mentioned that Tel could “flourish” under a coach like Mauricio Pochettino. While it may have just been a throwaway comment, it speaks to a wider concern: is Postecoglou the right manager to get the best out of young talent? Pochettino, of course, is famous for his work with young players during his time at Spurs. If things don’t improve soon, some supporters may begin dreaming of a reunion with the Argentine manager.

Tottenham’s 4-2 defeat to Wolves wasn’t just about a poor result. It exposed deeper problems—both on the pitch and behind the scenes.

At the center of it all is Mathys Tel, a talented young player who many believe is being misused. His performance on the left wing against Wolves showed exactly what he can do when played in the right position. Now, it’s up to Ange Postecoglou to make the right call.