Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou have had a disastrous week.
Tottenham had 15 days to reflect after losing to Newcastle United on April 13 before returning to action.
Spurs have lost a north London derby, suffered another setback at Stamford Bridge, and were comfortably defeated by Liverpool on Sunday all in the space of a week.
One recurring trend that has plagued the Champions League-chasing team is surrendering from set-plays, particularly corners.
Two of Arsenal’s three goals came from corners, and Chelsea also scored from dead ball situations.
Many have questioned Ange Postecoglou about this and how he could possible require a set-piece coach, but he has consistently denied it.
That hasn’t impressed Tim Sherwood, who claims the former Celtic manager ‘talks too much to the press’ and is ‘too honest’, as he told Premier League Productions (06/05/24 at 2:30 pm).
He also mentioned how goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who had a fantastic start to the season, has since been ‘found out’ and is’very weak’ from corners.
Guglielmo Vicario and Tottenham’s troubles with corners
“Ange, I love him, he looks like a guy you want to go out and have a pint with on a Sunday, but he talks too much to the press and he is too honest,” remarked Sherwood.
“He’s talking about the set pieces. The high line, and this is us. This is where we will play. I believe they have been found out. It appears they have a small amount. It doesn’t matter what he says regarding the set-pieces. It’s important. He has no reason to claim it isn’t essential. Why are you saying that?
“The goalkeeper has been found out.” He has been a target, and he appears to be extremely vulnerable to crosses. People are highlighting this. This is the premier league. This is the world’s most competitive league. You are going to be found out. With all due respect, this is not Scotland. Or Japan. “Or Australia.”
Ange Postecoglou does not require a set-piece coach. Aston Villa’s set-piece coach, Austin MacPhee, is highly regarded and has achieved great success for the team.
However, Villa have struggled defensively this season, conceding the same number of set-plays as Tottenham (14).
So, requests for Postecoglou to bring in a set-piece coach are out of the question. Tottenham simply needs to trust him. Give him some time, and we’ll see what he prepares.
That will take not only time and patience, but also Daniel Levy’s marmite-like support for his boss in the transfer market.
