Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham’s optimistic shows can’t be positioned as a “millstone” round their necks as they bid to return to successful methods at Bournemouth on Thursday.
Spurs made headlines by tearing Premier League champions Manchester Metropolis aside in a 4-0 away win on matchday 12, however they had been subsequently held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham on matchday 13.
They haven’t performed out the identical end in any of their final eight Premier League video games, flitting between wins and defeats throughout seven straight matchdays earlier than Sunday’s draw.
With Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario amongst their present harm absentees, Postecoglou says pundits and followers can’t moderately count on complete consistency.
“I do know individuals use Metropolis as a reference level, however I used to be in a position to placed on [Brennan] Johnson and [Timo] Werner, and I had Vicario in objective,” Postecoglou mentioned.
“I do know persons are searching for straightforward targets, however what the gamers are having to take care of is self-evident. We’re going to have to guard our gamers.
“We don’t have many choices, so we are going to handle them one of the best we will. We are able to’t play like we did towards Metropolis in each sport.
“With this membership, every little thing we do nicely is used as a millstone to carry us down at each alternative. We are able to’t react to any of that.
“I simply really feel that the gamers we’ve got for the time being are working onerous to get us the place we need to be, and we’re nonetheless in respectable form and an honest place within the league.”
Bournemouth are simply two factors beneath Spurs within the desk after beating Wolves 4-2 at Molineux in a thriller final week, with Justin Kluivert turning into the primary participant in Premier League historical past to attain a hat-trick of penalties.
All three spot-kicks had been gained by current arrival Evanilson, main coach Andoni Iraola to bathe the Brazilian with reward.
“Evanilson has made the distinction. He has been combating with the centre-backs and the keeper. He was phenomenal,” Iraola mentioned.
“Evanilson didn’t rating, however he’s why we gained. He has gained 5 penalties this season and we’ve got scored 4.
“It is rather tough to attain three penalties in a single sport. Justin is somebody who provides us so much, additionally with out the ball. He’s somebody who understands we want his work charge. He’s giving the workforce so much.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bournemouth – Evanilson
Evanilson has gained extra fouls than some other Bournemouth participant within the Premier League this season (23). At Wolves, he turned the primary participant in Premier League historical past to win three penalties in a single match.
Solely Kluivert (5), in the meantime, has netted extra league targets for the Cherries than his 4 this marketing campaign.
Tottenham – Brennan Johnson
Johnson was on course for Spurs towards Fulham final trip, netting his tenth objective throughout all competitions this marketing campaign.
Solely Erling Haaland (17), Mohamed Salah (12) and Christopher Nkunku (11) have netted extra amongst all Premier League gamers.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Tottenham have gained 10 of their 14 Premier League video games towards Bournemouth (71%), drawing two and shedding two. Of all sides they’ve confronted not less than 10 occasions within the competitors, solely towards Swansea Metropolis (79%) have they got a better win charge.
They did the double over the Cherries in 2023-24, successful 3-1 at house final December after triumphing 2-0 on the Vitality in August.
Spurs common 2.5 targets per sport within the Premier League towards Bournemouth (35 targets in 14 matches), their highest charge towards any aspect they’ve confronted not less than 10 occasions within the competitors.
Nonetheless, they’ve solely gained twice in six away matches within the prime flight this marketing campaign, drawing one and shedding three.
Every of Tottenham’s final 5 Premier League away wins have been to nil, together with a 4-0 victory at Metropolis final trip on their travels. They haven’t gained any of their final 14 when conceding on the street (5 attracts, 9 defeats), since a 2-1 triumph at Crystal Palace in October 2023.
Bournemouth have three wins of their final 4 at house so must be anticipated to supply a stern take a look at. An entertaining draw may very well be on the playing cards.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Bournemouth – 36.5%
Tottenham – 39.1%
Draw – 24.4%
