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Ange Postecoglou lays into 'UNACCEPTABLE' Timo Werner - just a day after he claimed he wouldn't criticise players in public - having dragged him off at half-time in Rangers draw for lack of 'trying'

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Ange Postecoglou savaged Timo Werner for his performance after hauling the Germany international off at half-time against Rangers.

Werner was replaced by Dejan Kulusevski who rescued a point for Tottenham with a late equaliser at Ibrox.

'He wasn't playing anywhere near the level he should,' said Postecoglou when asked if the change was tactical. 'When you've got 18-year-olds out there, it's not acceptable to me. I said that to Timo.

'He's a senior international, he's a German international. In the moment we're in right now, it's not like we've got many options.

'I need everyone to at least be going out there trying to give the best of themselves. His performance in the first half wasn't acceptable.'

Tottenham are locked in an injury crisis and patched-up at the back, missing three central defenders, their number one goalkeeper and two strikers.

'It's not really of great concern,' said Postecoglou, when asked how Werner had taken the criticism. 'We need everybody including him to be contributing. Because we don't have the depth to leave people out if they're performing poorly.

'We need them to play their part. Especially the senior guys. When I'm asking younger guys to do massive jobs. I expect a level of performance from some of the senior guys. And today wasn't that.'

Postecoglou's criticism of Werner came just 24 hours after he claimed he would not turn on one of his players in public when discussing Cristian Romero's comments on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

Romero suggested after Spurs' 4-2 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday that the club were failing to compete for major trophies due to their lack of spending in the transfer market.

The Argentine defender told Telemundo Deportes: 'Manchester City competes every year, you see how Liverpool strengthens its squad, Chelsea strengthens their squad, doesn't do well, strengthens again, and now they're seeing results. Those are the things to imitate.

'You have to realise that something is going wrong, hopefully, they realise it.

'The last few years, it's always the same: first, the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it's always the same people responsible.

'Hopefully, they realise who the true responsible ones are, and we move forward because it's a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title every year.'

Postecoglou responded by stating Romero was wrong to voice his opinion in public.

'A lot of what he said was good. Some of what he said wasn’t right,' Postecoglou said on Wednesday.

'It shouldn’t be done in public. I believe that with these things we deal with them within our own four walls because there are always issues that we need to deal with, the same way I wouldn’t publicly criticise a player or anyone else.'

But he refused to defend Werner's performance on Thursday night, despite Tottenham battling back to earn a draw after falling behind.

Overall, the Spurs boss was satisfied with a point.

'We were nowhere near our best,' said Postecoglou. 'Whether or not it's a fair result is for others to judge.

'But in the period of games we're grinding through, with a depleted squad, asking players to get up week in week out, it's a good outcome.

'In the context of where we are in Europe, with next games in the New Year, which gives us a chance to be in a better place, I think it's a pretty good point. We'll look back on this as an important point.'

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Rangers 1-1 Tottenham: Dejan Kulusevski gives Ange Postecoglou a Glasgow kiss of life as Spurs avoid a third-straight defeat

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Spurs barely deserved their point but they are now well-placed in competition

Rangers were the better side and took the lead through Hamza Igamane

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This was the sort of Glasgow kiss Ange Postecoglou might have hoped for. Back in the Scottish city where he enjoyed such success, a kiss of life to salvage a point for his ailing Tottenham team in a game they deserved to lose.

Dejan Kulusevski was the man who delivered it. Off the bench to apply a fine finish to a pass from Dominic Solanke who also came on and made a huge difference as Spurs somehow escaped a third-successive defeat.

Rangers were by some distance the better team for much of what was a raucous night inside Ibrox Stadium and left to a standing ovation but for a while they could detect one of the great European victories of recent years.

With it the chance to humble English visitors representing the self-acclaimed 'best league in the world' and inflict more damage on former Celtic hero Postecoglou.

Having controlled the first half, Hamza Igamane fired the Scots ahead at the start of the second half and they had Tottenham rattled at this point, pushing on with such intensity they seemed sure to extend the lead.

Postecoglou deserves some credit for making three changes which changed the course of the game with Solanke, Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall on to join Kulusevksi, who replaced Timo Werner at half-time.

Rangers faded and almost conceded a second - Solanke was denied from close range - before Phillippe Clemente's side produced a thrilling flurry in the closing stages.

Fraser Forster was required to make a brilliant late save from Cyriel Dessers, who also had the ball in the net only to see it ruled out by a flag for offside.

The point they barely deserved steadies Tottenham in this competition. Eleven points keep them in touch with the top eight with Hoffenheim and Elfsborg to play in the New Year, and the chance to avoid a knock-out round.

It extends a sequence of poor results to one win in eight. They have not won since the 4-0 romp at Manchester City and an awkward trip to Southampton in the Premier League comes next, on Sunday. And yet will feel like a small triumph after some of the pressure their patched-up back four were able to sustain in a hostile atmosphere.

There were jeers for those with Celtic affiliations such as Fraser Forster and Archie Gray but Spurs held firm at the back. Gray, still only 18, made a composed start. There are many things impressive about the teen but chief among them must be his temperament.

He seemed unruffled by the occasion. Or the fact he had been throw in to play in an unfamiliar role in the heart of a patched-up defensive unit and Rangers were determined to test him in the air. He won a couple of early headers to settle any nerves.

Radu Dragusin was a strong physical presence alongside. Postecoglou will have to rely heavily on this pair for the next few weeks, with Micky an de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies all out injured.

Gray sought opportunities to stride out in possession. One stylish run out of defensive quarters ended with him losing lost the ball, yards out of position on the left wing. He gave a little shake of his head and sprinted back.

MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS

Rangers (4-2-3-1): Butland 6.5; Tavernier 7, Souttar 6 (Balogun 35, 7), Propper 7, Jefte 7; Diomande 7, Raskin 7; Cerny 8 (Sterling 69), Bajrami 7 (Barron 69), Yilmaz 7 (Fraser 80); Igamane 7.5 (Dessers 80)

Subs not used: Kelly, Cortes, Dowell, King, McCausland, Rice, Curtis

Goal: Igamane 47

Booked: Diomande

Manager: Phillippe Clement 7

Tottenham (4-3-3): Forster 7.5; Porro 5, Dragusin 7, Gray 6.5, Udogie 5; Bentancur 6 (Bergvall 60, 6.5), Bissouma 6 (Sarr 60, 6.5), Maddison 6.5; Johnson 5 (Solanke 60, 7), Son 6, Werner 5 (Kulusevski 46, 7)

Subs not used: Austin, Whiteman, Lankshear, Dorrington, Olusesi, Williams-Barnett, Hardy

Goal: Kulusevski 75

Booked: Dragusin, Bergvall

Manager: Ange Postecoglou 6

Referee: Sandro Scharer (Sui) 6.5

Attendance: 48,064

He tried the same move again 10 minutes later with the same outcome, and yet Postecoglou's team did not throw players forward with their usual abandon. Partly due to Rangers being in command, squeezing them back but perhaps also a subliminal need to protect the back four.

Their first-half chances came on the break. Timo Werner flashed Tottenham's first effort over from an angle on the left and Heung-min Son was unable to beat goalkeeper Jack Butland with a better chance created by James Maddison.

Forster made two splendid saves from Vaclav Cerny, who then swerved another over from just outside the penalty box and Jefte charged forward and delivered a low cross which fizzed across goal from the Rangers left.

The hosts did not allow the blow of losing centre-half John Souttar before half time to knock them out of their stride.

Postecoglou sent on Kulusevski for Werner, whose performance was savaged by Postecoglou, but they were behind just 81 seconds after the restart. James Tavernier produced an excellent cross on the run from the right, and Pedro Porro failed to engage the run by Igamane who coverted at the back post.

The Moroccan forward has five in his last five games and this goal inspired his team.

Rangers were even more impressive once ahead. Spurs were creaking and hesitant, pinned back in their defensive third and Postecoglou had to try something. On came Solanke, Sarr and Bergvall, whose first touch was a volley narrowly wide.

As ever, they improved with Solanke leading the line. Maddison curled free-kick over and Butland denied Porro but Rangers rose again.

Forster made a fabulous save from substitute Dessers, screaming at his defenders as he climbed to his feet. Then Dessers found the net only for the Swiss officials to rule it out for offside. Rangers celebrated.

They must have been disappointed but go into the League Cup final against Celtic on Sunday with a spring in their step. Tottenham stagger onto Southampton on Sunday, relieved to have a point and no further injuries.

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Ange Postecoglou insists 'emotional' Cristian Romero was WRONG to criticise Tottenham's board - and reveals how showdown talks have gone between the club and player after he hit out at Daniel Levy

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Cristian Romero had suggested that Tottenham needed to spend more money

Postecoglou sympathises with his player but insists he was wrong to hit out

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Ange Postecoglou insists Cristian Romero has wrong to criticise Tottenham's board over a perceived lack of investment but sympathises with his 'emotional' outburst.

The Spurs boss also revealed that Romero has tried to soothe tensions by apologising for his comments following their 4-3 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday.

Romero gave an interview claiming 'something is going wrong' when discussing how much Tottenham spend on players, claiming they should 'imitate' Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea.

Spurs actually had the fifth-highest net spend in the Premier League this summer with -£83.1m. Manchester United were the only 'Big Six' club with a higher net spend. Over a five-year period, their net spend is the fourth-biggest on £-458.8m, a figure exceeded only by Chelsea, United, and Arsenal.

Tottenham have won just one in seven and, in the interview, Romero, who is reportedly out injured for about six weeks, was defending Postecoglou by suggesting that changing the manager is not always the solution after several years of hiring and firing.

'I think in the context of the day Cristian was really disappointed, obviously,' said Postecoglou.

'He had to go off and to then watch the team and have to feel the pain of another defeat, in the manner it happened, meant he was obviously very emotional.

'He’s a leader in the club. He hasn’t been able to help us and I think it was his way of trying, as a leader, to help us and the group in saying that we’re going through a tough time but he believes in what we’re doing.

'I think the way he probably expressed it was not the right way, particularly in a public sense, because it’s certainly not my belief that our challenges at the moment are because of one thing or one person. I think whatever we need to do, we have the power to do that. But it’ll only happen if we kind of stay united as a group, particularly through difficult times.

'A lot of what he said was good. Some of what he said wasn’t right. It shouldn’t be done in public. I believe that with these things we deal with them within our own four walls because there are always issues that we need to deal with, the same way I wouldn’t publicly criticise a player or anyone else.

'I know people get really sort of salacious about punishments and stuff. They really love that sort of thing. I think I’m pretty consistent in saying I just don’t think that that’s important.

'I think what’s more important is an understanding of how we should deal with these things and deal with them better.

'I’ve already spoken to Cristian about it. He’s apologised for the fact that the way he said it, particularly in the public sense, wasn’t the right way to go about things. He is a human being. He got emotional and I think he just expressed what he wanted to express publicly in the wrong way.'

Spurs are 11th in the Premier League and with every step forward seem to take one back. A run of one win and four defeats in their last seven games, however, has intensified the scrutiny on Postecoglou.

Mail Sport understands he retains the immediate backing of Levy, although there is an understanding results must improve.

After the Chelsea loss, Romero was asked if Tottenham were suffering over limited spending and a lack of depth. He told Telemundo Deportes: 'The truth is, I would say no comment, but...

'Manchester City competes every year, you see how Liverpool strengthens its squad, Chelsea strengthens their squad, doesn't do well, strengthens again, and now they're seeing results. Those are the things to imitate.

'You have to realise that something is going wrong, hopefully, they realise it. The last few years, it's always the same: first, the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it's always the same people responsible.

'Hopefully, they realise who the true responsible ones are, and we move forward because it's a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title every year.'

Backing Postecoglou, he added: 'He's a great coach. We saw it in the first season. In this second one we've suffered a lot of injuries.

'Players are the first one to be criticised, then if we lose 10 games, the staff can be changed, but nobody talks about what is actually happening.

'We are very happy with this staff, me and my colleagues. We love how they work and the football they try to play. We'll try to move on quickly.'

Postecoglou is the fifth manager, including caretaker bosses, that Romero has played under since arriving at Tottenham in August 2021.

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Tottenham star DEACTIVATES his social media account after abuse from fans for post in aftermath of Chelsea defeat

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Tottenham threw away a two-goal lead against London rivals Chelsea on Sunday

Brennan Johnson quit Instagram in September after receiving similar abuse

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A second Tottenham player has been forced to close a social-media account this season after receiving abuse from fans in the wake of a London derby defeat.

Brennan Johnson quit Instagram after receiving online criticism for his perceived poor performance in September's North London derby defeat by Arsenal.

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou leaped to the defence of his player, saying that the online trolls deserve a 'punch in the nose'.

And, after Tottenham threw away a two-goal lead against Chelsea on Sunday to lose 4-3, one of Johnson's team-mates has followed suit in closing his social media account - this time after receiving a backlash to one of his posts.

Pedro Porro reshared a statistic posted on X by stats account Squawka which stated: 'Pedro Porro is the only defender to be directly involved in 20+ Premier League goals since he made his debut in the competition in February 2023.'

In response, the Spaniard received a barrage of abuse from fans angry at the post in the wake of defeat by their rivals.

@FUTSPY wrote: 'What an embarrassment, his defensive negligence removes all of his attacking contributions so he's at a net zero contribution.'

While @jackcolegolf posted: 'Needs to be more proud of trying to keep clean sheets as he is a "defender". All well and good going forwards but do your job first and foremost.'

Porro, who played every minute of the home loss, then decided to close his X account.

Next up for Tottenham is a all-British clash with Rangers at Ibrox in the Europa League on Thursday before a trip to face Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.

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Tottenham star 'ruled out for six weeks' in fresh blow to Ange Postecoglou amid his side's dismal run of form

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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is set to be without one of his key players for the next six weeks, according to reports.

The pressure is building on Postecoglou heading into the busy Christmas period after his team suffered their seventh league defeat of the season against London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

Spurs raced into a 2-0 lead, but were pegged back after a catalogue of errors and ended up losing 4-3, which leaves them just inside the bottom half.

Cristian Romero returned to the starting line-up for the game following a recent injury lay-off, but had to be replaced inside the opening 15 minutes after hurting himself while attempting a backheel flick inside his own penalty area.

Argentine journalist Gaston Edul has now revealed Romero suffered a fresh muscle problem, and is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks.

The 26-year-old is set to miss upcoming league matches against Liverpool and Newcastle, as well as next week's Carabao Cup quarter-final with Manchester United.

He is also due to face a race against time to be fit for Tottenham's north London derby at Arsenal on January 15.

Romero's centre back partner Micky van de Ven was also taken off in the loss to Chelsea, but Spurs are hopeful that he has avoided a serious injury.

Romero will be out for the rest of 2024, but he stopped to speak to a reporter after Sunday's defeat, and appeared to point the finger of blame at chairman Daniel Levy's lack of investment in the club for Tottenham's failure to kick on under Postecoglou this season.

Asked if Spurs were suffering over limited spending and a lack of depth, Romero told Telemundo Deportes: 'The truth is, I would say no comment, but...

'Manchester City competes every year, you see how Liverpool strengthens its squad, Chelsea strengthens their squad, doesn't do well, strengthens again, and now they're seeing results. Those are the things to imitate.

'You have to realise that something is going wrong, hopefully, they realise it.

'The last few years, it's always the same: first, the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it's always the same people responsible.

'Hopefully, they realise who the true responsible ones are, and we move forward because it's a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title every year.'

Postecoglou fronted up to angry Tottenham fans after last week's 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth, with some seemingly turning on him.

But Romero is adamant the Australian is the right man to turn around Spurs' fortunes.

'He's a great coach. We saw it in the first season. In this second one we've suffered a lot of injuries,' Romero said.

'Players are the first one to be criticised, then if we lose 10 games, the staff can be changed, but nobody talks about what is actually happening.

'We are very happy with this staff, me and my colleagues. We love how they work and the football they try to play. We'll try to move on quickly.'

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Tottenham star Cristian Romero points finger at Daniel Levy over lack of investment amid pressure on Ange Postecoglou as he urges Spurs chairman to 'realise that something is going wrong'

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Tottenham defender Cristian Romero has warned Daniel Levy that the club are slipping behind their Premier League rivals due to a lack of investment.

Spurs are 11th in the top-flight after losing 4-3 to rivals Chelsea on Sunday, a defeat which saw them concede two penalties and let an early two-goal lead slip.

Pressure is building on Ange Postecoglou but Mail Sport understands he retains the immediate backing of Levy, although there is an understanding results must improve.

Postecoglou's side have now won just one of their past seven games in all competitions and lost four of them, culminating in a poor start to the season.

Several Spurs managers have paid the price for failing to arrest slumps in form, but Romero believes the hierarchy should place the blame on themselves for failing to splash the cash in comparison to the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

Asked if Tottenham were suffering over limited spending and a lack of depth, the centre back told Telemundo Deportes: 'The truth is, I would say no comment, but...

'Manchester City competes every year, you see how Liverpool strengthens its squad, Chelsea strengthens their squad, doesn't do well, strengthens again, and now they're seeing results. Those are the things to imitate.

'You have to realise that something is going wrong, hopefully, they realise it.

'The last few years, it's always the same: first, the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it's always the same people responsible.

'Hopefully, they realise who the true responsible ones are, and we move forward because it's a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title every year.'

Since Postecoglou's arrival in July 2023, Spurs have spent around £350million but have failed to push for trophies. Indeed, since Levy became a member of the board in 2000, the club have won a solitary piece of silverware - the League Cup in 2008.

Romero backed Postecoglou after Sunday's loss, saying: 'He's a great coach. We saw it in the first season. In this second one we've suffered a lot of injuries.

'Players are the first one to be criticised, then if we lose 10 games, the staff can be changed, but nobody talks about what is actually happening.

'We are very happy with this staff, me and my colleagues. We love how they work and the football they try to play. We'll try to move on quickly.'

Postecoglou is the fifth manager, including caretaker bosses, that Romero has played under since arriving at Tottenham in August 2021.

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Jamie Carragher insists Ange Postecoglou WILL be sacked by Tottenham if he doesn't 'bow to certain things' and bring 'consistency'

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Jamie Carragher has insisted Ange Postecoglou will be sacked if he fails to adapt Tottenham's style of play after their poor start to the season.

Spurs' punishing 4-3 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday, which saw them collapse despite taking a two-goal lead in the opening 11 minutes, left them 11th in the Premier League table and seven points adrift of the Champions League spots.

Mail Sport understands that Postecoglou maintains the immediate backing of chairman Daniel Levy but there is an acknowledgement that recent results, barring the 4-0 victory at Manchester City, have been disappointing.

Indeed, the head coach's reign is expected to come under more internal scrutiny if he is unable to arrest their slump and Carragher believes Postecoglou must be more flexible with his tactical approach if he is to remain in charge.

'I love Ange Postecoglou since he's come into the Premier League, in terms of the football they play,' Carragher said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

'It's exciting. They are the most entertaining team in the last 18 months that I've seen.

'I know a lot of supporters wanted their Tottenham back and in a way, he has given them their Tottenham back. They're exciting to watch. They're almost everyone's second team. But you don't ever think they'll go on and win something.

'Now, is that a little unfair of me to say because do Tottenham ever win anything? That's the point. Is this a team set up to win big things? I said yesterday, if certain things don't change then he'll be out of a job. I don't want him to be.

'I enjoy watching them play, a lot more than previous managers. It has to be better than that for Spurs. No one's expecting Spurs to win the title but if he doesn't bow to certain things we're talking about, then eventually... That's what happens.

'You go to Man City and you win a game 4-0. But then you'll get battered by another team. You don't ever get that consistency you need to be a Champions League club.

'That's what Tottenham want.'

A second loss in four days after the limp 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Thursday consigned Spurs to a bitter run of just one win in their last seven games.

However, Carragher has claimed that the blame for the slump does not lie solely with the manager, with the pundit even calling for Levy to step aside.

'It's probably time for somebody else to come in because to not win a trophy in that period of time with the managers they have had, they've never really gone out of their way in the transfer market,' Carragher said on Sky Sports.

'They've spent decent money without blowing other teams out of the water, their wage bill is always one of the smallest and you're never going to get the best players.

'So it might be time for Daniel Levy - who I've been a supporter of because you look at the actual work that he's done - but now that works done in terms of a stadium and a training ground, someone else needs to be in charge of this football club.'

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Jamie Carragher calls on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to be REPLACED - and insists 'someone else needs to be in charge of this football club' as pressure mounts on Ange Postecoglou after Spurs' 4-3

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Jamie Carragher has called on Tottenham to make a change in the club's hierarchy by replacing chairman Daniel Levy, stating: 'Someone else needs to be in charge.'

Spurs slumped to a humbling 4-3 defeat against London rivals Chelsea on Sunday after originally taking an early two-goal lead, only to crumble in the second-half.

Cole Palmer topped Chelsea's comeback win with a Panenka penalty that takes the Blues to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, while Spurs remain trapped in the bottom half of the table.

Ange Postecoglou's inconsistent Spurs squad again faltered and Carragher was ruthless in his assessment of the club's current running under Levy.

The businessman became Tottenham chairman in 2001 at just 38-years-old and has been the ruling force on multiple managers and players during that reign, with Postecoglou the latest boss to come under pressure.

His tenure has coincided with Spurs winning just one piece of silverware - the 2007/08 League Cup - and swathes of supporters have previously called for Levy to vacate his position.

Now, Liverpool legend Carragher has suggested the club could be more successful under the guidance of a new chairman.

'It's probably time for somebody else to come in because to not win a trophy in that period of time with the managers they have had, they've never really gone out of their way in the transfer market,' Carragher said on Sky Sports.

'They've spent decent money without blowing other teams out of the water, their wage bill is always one of the smallest and you're never going to get the best players.

'So it might be time for actually Daniel Levy - who I've been a supporter of because you look at the actual work that he's done - but now that works done in terms of a stadium and a training ground, someone else needs to be in charge of this football club,' he added.

Former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp further highlighted Levy's at times controversial decisions to change managers, adding: 'He's had 14 years managers in 23 years, that's a manager nearly every year-and-a-half, something has to change.'

'Well he's not making the right decisions if he's changing manager that often,' replied Carragher.

Levy has not signalled any intention to step down from his position at the club and would likely rule on any decision to replace Postecoglou should the Australian's recent struggles continue.

Speaking after his side's disappointing home defeat against Chelsea, Postecoglou attempted to rally his players by insisting they can still turn their season around.

‘It went like that last year. It’s not like since I have been here this is unusual territory,' said the Spurs head coach.

'Ultimately, my role now is to focus on the things I can control and keep preparing the team the best we can to keep progressing as a football team and turn our season around.'

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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou insists his side can 'turn their season around' after 4-3 defeat to Chelsea as he bemoans impact of 'uncontrollables'

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Tottenham lost 4-3 to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

Spurs were leading 2-0 after 11 minutes but let the three points slip away

LISTEN NOW to It's All Kicking Off!: Why can't Chelsea win the league? They made seven changes and still scored five. Do you think Liverpool could do that?

Ange Postecoglou is adamant he can turn Tottenham's season around after this Premier League collapse to their London rivals Chelsea, so long as the ‘uncontrollables’ stop hindering his team whenever they threaten to make progress under him.

The Spurs boss described this defeat in front of watching chairman Daniel Levy as ‘painful’ and ‘self-inflicted’, citing the loss of Cristian Romero to injury after they took their 2-0 lead as a catalyst.

Postecoglou referred to that as one of those annoyances he simply cannot control as he explained: ‘Every time we have seemed like we are on solid footing, something has come along which will become an impediment for us. It’s just the way our season has gone.

‘It went like that last year. It’s not like since I have been here this is unusual territory. Ultimately, my role now is to focus on the things I can control and keep preparing the team the best we can to keep progressing as a football team and turn our season around.

‘We don't seem to get that ability to just gain some traction. Every time we've seemed to, something comes along and disrupts us. People keep referring to the (Manchester) City game (which Tottenham won 4-0), and we lost Vic (goalkeeper Vicario) straight afterwards for three months, so it seems like we're just not able to do that. They're uncontrollables.’

Hinting that he needs help in the January transfer window, Postecoglou continued: ‘I don’t sense anybody is feeling sorry for themselves. It is a tough moment, because there are all these tools you can possibly use as a manager when you are going through tough moments to turn things around, and our limited resources from a playing perspective at the moment doesn’t allow us to do that, so you have to find other ways. It’s not through a lack of effort.

‘The players are constantly out there because we can’t rotate. They are giving everything they can. It diminishes performances as well because they probably need a rest but we can’t give them a rest. It is something we need to tackle head on and keep pushing on.’

Moises Caicedo was perhaps fortunate to escape punishment for a naughty tackle on Pape Matar Sarr, with Postecoglou complaining it summed up the current state of Premier League refereeing.

‘Referees don't want to make them (big decisions) because they'll go to VAR, and VAR doesn't want to intervene, so you’re left in no man's land,’ the Spurs boss said. ‘There’s a couple of decisions I thought today definitely went against us. I just don’t think the technology has helped our game.’

Meanwhile, Cole Palmer also spoke afterwards, with the Chelsea superstar saying of his Panenka penalty: 'When I stepped back and looked at the clock, I thought it was a bit frantic, the game was all over the place and I thought the keeper was ready to dive so I just chipped it. Thankfully it went in.’

Tottenham could find themselves in bother for how their supporters targeted Palmer and Co with missiles whenever Chelsea had a corner.

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