Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham Hotspur lacking conviction as winless run goes on

LONDON – After watching his Tottenham Hotspur side throw away yet more Premier League points from a winning position, manager Ange Postecoglou's patience is beginning to wear a bit thin.

The Australian did not mince his words after the 2-1 home defeat by West Ham United on Dec 7 gave the north Londoners an unwanted record.

They are now the first team to take a 1-0 lead in five successive Premier League matches without winning any of them, and one point from the last 15 on offer has derailed a season that had looked so promising.

Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy has won much praise since he took the Tottenham job in the summer. But, however attractive some of his side’s play has been, even with a chronic injury list, he says winning games is what matters.

“We had some unbelievable chances – for us, it’s another game, like the Aston Villa game and other games earlier this year,” he said.

“I said during the week, our attacking play has a long way to go.

“In general, we have a long way to go, and tonight was more evidence of that.

“This isn’t about us playing good football, it’s about us winning games.

“I set teams up to win games and 1-0 at half-time was not a good performance from us. A good performance would have been 3-0 or 4-0 up. It’s just not having that conviction in front of goal to finish teams off. As simple as that.

“Sometimes we can disguise how we’re going by playing some nice stuff. But like I said from day one, that’s not what I’m about.”

Spurs enjoyed overwhelming possession in the first half and led through Cristian Romero’s header. But West Ham hit back with goals by Jarrod Bowen and James Ward-Prowse with their fans joyously singing “Tottenham Hotspur, it’s happening again”.

After Dec 3’s enthralling 3-3 draw at champions Manchester City, it had appeared Tottenham had stopped the rot. But the loss to the Hammers left them in fifth place with 27 points, nine behind leaders Arsenal. They host Newcastle United on Dec 10.

Meanwhile, Everton struck three times in the final 11 minutes to climb out of the relegation zone despite a 10-point deduction as Newcastle, who have won just once away from home in the league this season, were stunned 3-0 at Goodison Park.

Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Beto scored the goals as the Toffees’ fine form continued despite the blow of being hit by the toughest sanction dished out in Premier League history for breaches of financial rules.

“This season, apart from the obvious with the 10 points, we’ve been in terrific form,” said Everton boss Sean Dyche.

“The underbelly of a strong side is not just the quality. It’s the feel of the entire group... the hard runs, the hard yards but for each other.” REUTERS, AFP