Ange Postecoglou has dismissed claims that Tottenham Hotspur are struggling due to their schedule after their 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town on Sunday. Some journalists suggested that Spurs’ problems this season are related to the tough fixture list, especially after midweek Europa League games. However, Postecoglou rejected this idea and said that he didn’t believe the schedule was affecting his team’s performances. The defeat to Ipswich was a major disappointment, especially after the team’s impressive win over Aston Villa the previous weekend. It was also the second time this season that Spurs have lost to a team still looking for their first win, having also lost to Crystal Palace earlier in the campaign.
The result against Ipswich highlighted a worrying trend for Tottenham. This was the third time this season that they lost after playing a Thursday Europa League match. The defeats to Palace and Brighton also followed the same pattern, with Spurs struggling after midweek European matches. The defeat to Ipswich also came just before the international break, which is something Spurs have struggled with in their last five games before breaks.
Despite these recurring results, Postecoglou refused to attribute them to the Europa League schedule. He stated that if the schedule was a real issue, it would be more noticeable at the end of matches, but his team has been finishing games strongly. He acknowledged that Spurs can’t afford to start games poorly and expect to overcome the difference in quality between themselves and other teams at the top of the league.
The recurring pattern of losing after Europa League games and just before international breaks is concerning for Tottenham fans and analysts. Although Postecoglou downplays the significance of these trends, the fact that they are happening repeatedly suggests that there might be a deeper issue. It’s not just coincidence anymore, and many observers believe the pattern cannot be ignored. However, Postecoglou remains confident that his team’s performance is not being affected by the busy schedule.
In the end, Tottenham’s performance against Ipswich left many questions unanswered, and Postecoglou will need to find a way to avoid these disappointing results in the future. Despite the regularity of these defeats, the Spurs manager seems determined to stick to his philosophy and avoid blaming the fixture list for his team’s poor form.
