Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham suffered another defeat in a London derby, against Chelsea, with a controversial gesture towards some supporters aggravating their disappointment at Stamford Bridge - and even some diehard Postecoglou fans in football.london'scomments section admit the tide is turning against the Australian manager.
Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez headed home the only goal of the game in the 50th minute, with Spurs' attacks rarely producing much of a threat. VAR would end up producing one of the bigger stories of the game, as a Pape Matar Sarr goal from long-range was chalked off for a foul on Moises Caicedo.
After Sarr's goal, Postecoglou cupped his ears at the away fans - which he would later say was in an effort to get the crowd cheering for hise team. The manager was in disbelief when the VAR results returned, while that gesture irked many in the crowd and those watching on TV.
Speaking after the game, he said: "Jesus mate, it's incredible how things get interpreted. We'd just scored, I just wanted to hear them cheer. Because we'd been through a tough time, and I thought it was a cracking goal. I wanted them to get really excited. I felt at that point we could potentially go on and win the game, and I just felt momentum was on our [side].
"It doesn't bother me, it's not the first time they've booed my substitutions or my decisions - that's fine - they're allowed to do that. But we'd just scored a goal, just scored an equaliser, I was just hoping we could get some excitement. If people want to read into it that, somehow, I'm trying to make a point about something, like I said, we'd been through a tough time, but I just felt that there was a bit of a momentum shift there. If they get really behind the lads, I thought we had the momentum to finish on top of them."
The events of the game haven't done Postecoglou many favours, at least according to some readers. Commenter Jeffc00p says: "Considering this was virtually a full-strength team, they looked like they'd only just met in the car park before the game - and there was a total lack of cohesion and effort. As for [Dominic] Solanke, irrespective of the admittedly poor service he gets, he's never in the right place in the penalty area when the ball comes in.
"On this form and with this manager, we haven't got hope winning the Europa League. But could Ryan Mason or another do any better? Well, it would be tough to do worse!"
Reader Totty2 adds: "I agree, but please please not Mason. We're shot as a side and we need a proper injection of funds and a new manager and owners. That way we may get quality, not schoolboys. The club needs proper squad depth and [Daniel] Levy doesn't like spending money. Let's get the manager sorted."
NCSpur wouldn't make an immediate move, though. "Well, this match turned the corner for me. No way we are producing some Europa magic. This season is shot and only mathematics keeps Spurs up. Firing Ange only perpetuates the constant paying off of managers to get them to leave. Save some dough and keep him until the summer.
"Levy ain't spending more on wages or changing his investment in the football club so get used to what will be a lower table team going forward."
Ttid1965 writes: "Ange reminds me of [Antonio] Conte now, saying things to try and get sacked..."
Jaeheeh says: "The cupping ear gesture was a bit silly, but I get the pressure the poor man is feeling. Mourinho and Conte, proven serial winners, both struggled from the trophy-drought pressure and gave up midway, so I really feel for Ange. He's a winner, but he needs some help."
Bige60 writes: "I am an Australian. I love Ange... but the team plays with zero conviction in my opinion. That was a game like many others, that was there to win. They seem to lack belief in the moments that matter. Change things up a little or you need to go Ange."
