Tottenham Hotspur’s season continues to unravel as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to bitter rivals Arsenal in the north London derby. The loss compounds a dreadful run of form that has seen Spurs slump to 13th place in the Premier League, closer to the relegation zone than the coveted top four. With injuries piling up, performances faltering, and the club’s ambitions slipping away, manager Ange Postecoglou finds himself under mounting scrutiny.

The numbers paint a bleak picture for Spurs:

• 11 Premier League defeats this season, equaling their worst record at this stage in previous campaigns (1997-98, 2003-04, 2008-09).

• They have lost 18 points from winning positions, the second-worst record in the league after Fulham.

• One win in their last nine league games, with just five points earned in that period – only Leicester City and Southampton have fared worse.

Despite a momentary lead against Arsenal thanks to Son Heung-min’s goal, Spurs failed to register another shot on target, allowing Arsenal to overturn the deficit with two quick goals. The defeat not only stings due to its rivalry but also highlights the growing gap between Tottenham and the Premier League’s elite.

Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer called the performance “unacceptable”:

“Tottenham fans have every right to be concerned. You can’t face your biggest rivals and have the manager admit the team wasn’t near the required level. That’s not good enough.”

Spurs’ lengthy injury list has undeniably contributed to their woes. Key defensive players, including Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, and Ben Davies, are all sidelined. Yet pundits argue that the squad, even depleted, should be performing better.

Peter Crouch, speaking on TNT Sports, expressed his frustration:

“We know about the injuries, but some of the more experienced players need to step up. Two 18-year-olds [Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray] were Spurs’ best players against Arsenal. That’s embarrassing for the senior squad.”

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand was scathing about Tottenham’s defending:

“It’s like watching an academy under-18s game. The players don’t seem to communicate or adapt on the pitch. They’re making the same mistakes repeatedly.”

When Ange Postecoglou took over in June 2023, his high-pressing, attacking philosophy was heralded as a refreshing change for Spurs. Early in the season, this approach delivered memorable wins against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool. However, with injuries exposing the squad’s lack of depth, Postecoglou’s refusal to adapt his tactics has drawn criticism.

Ferdinand added:

“Ange’s principles are admirable, but with so many key players out, he has to be more pragmatic. Adaptability would be sensible right now.”

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown echoed these sentiments:

“Tottenham took too many risks, and Arsenal took full advantage. Postecoglou’s approach is exciting when it works, but in moments like this, it’s costly.”

Tottenham supporters are becoming increasingly restless. One win in nine league games has seen the club drift into mid-table obscurity. For a team with ambitions of Champions League football and a long-overdue trophy, this is unacceptable.

Son Heung-min, Spurs’ captain and leading scorer, admitted the players must take responsibility:

“It’s up to us. We weren’t disciplined enough, and the table doesn’t lie. It’s not good enough.”

Postecoglou, for his part, did not shy away from the pressure:

“The defeats hurt me. It’s not acceptable. Too many games have slipped away from us, and that needs to stop. We have to focus on the next game and fight back.”

With Spurs out of the Carabao Cup semi-finals and struggling in the league, the pressure on Postecoglou has reached critical levels. The Carabao Cup remains their best hope for silverware, but they must overcome Liverpool in the second leg of their semi-final, where they hold a slender 1-0 advantage.

Former Spurs winger Aaron Lennon suggested the cup is keeping Postecoglou in the job:

“If Tottenham weren’t in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, there would already be serious questions about the manager’s future.”

Spurs now face a crucial trip to Everton on Sunday, a game Postecoglou has labeled as pivotal:

“There’s no other way of looking at it. We need to focus on Everton. Giving up is not an option.”

With Everton battling relegation themselves, this game could set the tone for the rest of Tottenham’s season. Victory might provide a glimmer of hope, but defeat could leave Postecoglou skating on even thinner ice.

Postecoglou’s honeymoon period at Tottenham is long over. While injuries have undoubtedly played a role, the inability to adapt, the defensive frailties, and the growing discontent among fans suggest that time is running out for the manager to turn things around. If results don’t improve soon, Tottenham may be forced to make a tough decision about the future of their project under Postecoglou.