Kings of Inconsistency
Spurs’ Crippling Unpredictability: A Source of Endless Frustration for Fans
After nine league games, Ange Postecoglou’s men have won as many as they’ve lost (four) and find themselves ten points off the top of the table with their title chances all but gone before the leaves have fallen off the trees. This gloomy sentiment resonates not just among fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but also with analysts and bookmakers.
Spurs’ Long Title Odds
For instance, Paddy Power Sports price Spurs at 66/1 to win the league which means any bet on the Lilywhites at this stage will return a significant amount owing to how unlikely it is.
For those intrigued by the long odds and potential returns, the Irish bookmaker provides tools for calculating winnings this season. With options that include single bets and a lucky 15 bet calculator, you can assess your potential payouts on Postecoglou’s men during this campaign.
In this particular example, a £10 bet on Spurs to win the league would return a profit of £660 – emphasising how unconvinced the bookies are with what they’re seeing as far as their title credentials go.
So, away from these high odds, what lies at the heart of Spurs’ current problems and why could you be in line to win a king’s ransom if they lifted the Premier League trophy next spring?
A Familiar Tale
The reality is that Spurs tend to fall flat after a statement win. This theme was evident after blowing Manchester United away 3-0 at Old Trafford only to lose to Brighton in their next league fixture having surrendered a two-goal lead.
Although Spurs bounced back with an emphatic 4-1 win against West Ham, they promptly followed that up with a disappointing defeat against relegation-threatened Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The bottom line is that Spurs are unpredictable which is not a trait that wins you titles. Crucially, this crippling inconsistency also isn’t likely to spread harmony among a fanbase who are desperate to win another trophy.
To that end, you might say that the responsibility of eradicating this unpredictability and capitalising on positive results ultimately rests with Postecoglou.
However, there is an acceptance among Spurs supporters that the club has long had a soft underbelly and the only way to address this issue is to give Postecoglou the space needed to change the ethos of the club.
Admittedly, it isn’t easy to stomach comments from the Australian like, “If you do get something out of the game, you’re falsely rewarded and I don’t want to get falsely rewarded” after referring to the second-half capitulation against Brighton.
While being happy with losing when playing poorly can come across as too self-righteous when any point is always better than none, there is something to be said for Postecoglou’s uncomfortable honesty.
The Ange Way
Indeed, the 59-year-old’s comments are often jarring, and even scarcely believable as was the case on the South Coast. However, they do publicly raise standards and hold players accountable which might be an effective way of stopping the Lilywhites from wilting when the heat is turned up in the future.
The truth is that managers with more accomplished CVs have tried and failed to change the culture at Spurs.
Right now, Postecoglou is in the process of doing what he thinks might work so that silverware will return to the club. While only time will tell if he is successful, the Australian must be given an extended chance to see if he is successful.
All views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of The Fighting Cock. We offer a platform for fans to commit their views to text and voice their thoughts. Football is a passionate game and as long as the views stay within the parameters of what is acceptable, we encourage people to write, get involved and share their thoughts on the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.
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