Defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of cohesion were evident once again as Spurs suffered a 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge, dealing a significant blow to their top-four aspirations.
Ange Postecoglou admitted that Tottenham "were nowhere near good enough" following another crushing defeat to Chelsea, acknowledging that his players had lost confidence in their approach.
The third consecutive Premier League loss has almost extinguished Spurs' hopes of securing a Champions League spot for next season. They now sit seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with just four games remaining, despite having a game in hand over the Midlands club.
Goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson secured Chelsea's victory over their London rivals, continuing Tottenham's dismal record at Stamford Bridge, where they've managed only one win in their last 39 visits.
With their Champions League ambitions slipping away, Postecoglou admitted that his team is struggling to maintain the level of confidence that characterized their performances earlier in the season.
Ange Postecoglou took responsibility for Tottenham's poor performance after their loss to Chelsea, saying, "It wasn't good enough and I have to take responsibility for that, it is on me."
As the manager, Postecoglou acknowledged his role in the team's slump, admitting, "I am the manager and I am the one putting them out there, and it was not good enough."
Reflecting on the first-half display, he added, "When we put in a performance like we did in the first half, it meant my message wasn't getting through."
During the match at Stamford Bridge, Postecoglou was visibly animated on the sidelines, expressing his frustration with Tottenham's disjointed play. Despite holding over 62 percent of the possession, Spurs managed only three shots on target, indicating a lack of creativity and efficiency in their attack.
The defensive issues persisted for Tottenham, especially around set-pieces. Trevoh Chalobah scored the opening goal with a powerful header from a Conor Gallagher free-kick, exploiting the Spurs' defense, which appeared disorganized and vulnerable. This goal marked the 15th time Tottenham had conceded from set-pieces this season, underscoring a recurring weakness in their defensive strategy.
"I feel like we've lost a bit of belief and conviction in our football, and it's on me to change that," Postecoglou stated.
"It wasn't just about conceding the first goal—it was our overall approach to playing football, and we were nowhere near good enough. That's my responsibility."
The Tottenham manager acknowledged that the team has been struggling for some time, suggesting it's a phase of growth and challenge. "We've been in a bit of a grind for a while now. That's part of our challenge and part of our growth. Sometimes, you have to dig in and grind out results. We were poor today."
He continued, "There's no magic formula. We will work hard to make sure we get it right. It's my responsibility to ensure we play better next time."
Despite Chelsea's struggles this season, Mauricio Pochettino has managed to secure two victories over his former club Tottenham. These wins have provided some much-needed positivity during a challenging first season for the Argentine coach.
However, Chelsea's position in the Premier League reflects their inconsistency, with the team sitting in eighth place. The prospect of European qualification remains a possibility, but even that might not guarantee Pochettino's job security under the demanding co-owner Todd Boehly. Boehly, who took charge in 2022, has already sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, indicating a high threshold for success.
In response to speculation about his future, Pochettino has made a plea for more time to implement his ideas and rebuild the team. "Maybe today, because we won, I can explain a little bit better. I want to say enough is enough. I think all managers need time to translate their ideas and their philosophy. We need to have time, but it is not my decision," he said.
Pochettino acknowledged the pressure he faces, especially in a club with Chelsea's history, where the expectation for immediate success is high. "If we want to match the history of Chelsea, I think there is a lot of work to do. We will see if we have time to build this way."
The coach expressed frustration over the constant scrutiny surrounding his position. "It's difficult to see every single week that I am under scrutiny and judgment. Yes, it's not my decision to be here or not to be here," Pochettino concluded.
