‘Lacking conviction’ – Frustrated Postecoglou demands more from Tottenham

Ange Postecoglou saw his side fall to defeat for the fourth time in five games last night in a disappointing London derby against West Ham. Discussing the game with the press, Postecoglou outlined the issues he saw in his team’s performance.

Spurs went into the home tie against West Ham full of confidence after securing a valuable point against Manchester City at the weekend.

The return of Cristian Romero, back from a three-game suspension, was also a boost to the Lilywhites, and the centre-half made the difference in the first half by scoring his first home goal for the club.

That goal was not enough, however, as West Ham came out of the blocks with enthusiasm in the second half and produced a deserved comeback. The Hammers’ renewed spirit, twinned with defensive errors from Spurs, ultimately changed the game.

Jarrod Bowen benefited from a ricochet off Ben Davies to pounce and level the scores early in the second half. Then, a poor pass back from Destiny Udogie left Guglielmo Vicario in trouble and James Ward-Prowse stuck the ball in the net to make it 2-1.

Postecoglou needs determination from his players

Speaking to the press (via Football.London) after the game, Postecoglou was not happy at all, and made it very clear where he felt his side had gone wrong tonight.

He said: “Like I said it’s just not having that conviction in front of goal to finish teams off. As simple as that. If we weren’t creating chances, if we were out on our feet then those kinds of things you could factor into it. But I don’t see that.

“All our chances, especially in the first half, have nothing to do with fatigue. It’s to do with lacking conviction, at the moment we’re just going through this spell where we’re playing so-called good football but I don’t see that. All I see is us not really showing any real clear conviction in what we’re doing.

“It’s almost like we’re thinking the ball will go into the net by itself but it won’t. You need to have that determination to do that and you need to have that determination to keep the ball out of your net at the other end.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I know West Ham played a very effective low block tonight which suppressed Tottenham, but the players in that Spurs side should be finding ways through and taking the chances when they come.