Tottenham Hotspur

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Wolves are in the news this week for their pursuit of a vote on the scrapping of VAR.

Their wishes drew further scrutiny on Wednesday when Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon found himself in the middle of a contentious call before offering a strong view on the technology after his side went down at Manchester United.

"Modified" is the word when we are talking about VAR going to a vote.

We are still getting to grips with it, but we have seen some good come from it. There have been some instances of indifferent decisions because calls are getting too many looks at them from so many angles.

They still do not know what is a good tackle and what is not. I think they need help from some former players, who have been in that situation and understand what the differences are in those challenges.

We keep talking about different angles and that is not going to go away because with VAR or without it, on certain challenges we would still disagree. You could have two current players in a room and they still would not agree.

It is Wolves' opinion on VAR and if they feel it is not working for them, then you can understand why they are saying to have a go without it again.

Molineux boss Gary O'Neil has been very frustrated, but he has also been balanced and tried to stay quiet. Now he does not want to stay quiet because he feels it does not benefit them and decisions are not going their way.

Overall, we have seen good things from VAR, even if it does bring with it a delay and a wait.

It would be a shame now for it to all go away when we have all the technology in place.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

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When Ange Postecoglou said "there are some strange things here" at Tottenham, he knows the mentality has to change.

He is constantly being asked about mentality and desire and whether they can be in it to compete alongside Manchester City. But he wants them to be much more ruthless to be in a better situation on and off the pitch.

The fans do not always accept this. Some wanted Spurs to lose to City in order to stop Arsenal from winning the league and this did not sit well witch Postecoglou.

Their recruitment has got to be better because they have got to build a squad that can get into the top four. I believe he has an eye on who he would like to bring in and that is key because he has got to be involved in those decisions.

He needs time but ultimately you do not get that in football. If he wins games then that gives him the time to develop what he wants to do.

He has come across really well all season in interviews and it is only at the end where has got a bit frustrated.

Fans should just want honesty. They can shout, rant and rave, with no real understanding of the situation but he does have an understanding of the situation.

Is that not the idea of a manger, to say when things are not good enough?

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Ange Postecoglou has led Spurs back into Europe next season but it was a disquieting end at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday.

How are you feeling before the final game at Sheffield United on Sunday?

Has there been enough signs of progress for Spurs?

Are you expecting a positive end to the season at Bramall Lane?

Have your say here.

We asked for your views on Ange Postecoglou's comments after Tottenham's defeat by Manchester City, where he described the foundations of the club as "fragile"

Here are some more of your thoughts:

Peter: Totally agree with the manager. It's time Tottenham did something to eradicate this mentality. Stick with the manager and give him the players he needs. There are too many players to change, but that should not stop it from happening. I have been a fan for more than 60 years. Change must be done and now. And fans cheering Manchester City is disgusting.

Paul: Ange needs to be very careful. He hasn't been here long enough to question... the fact he has started to talk in code/riddles suggests he needs to look closer at home. He is a paradox - one moment he doesn't care how others think, yet then he argues with the fanbase. Get on with the job your paid to do, Ange!

Dean: I'm with Ange here. The game is about winning, and only that. The way to stop Arsenal is to be better than them, that's that. Our fans should have been using their energy and passion to get behind Spurs, that's what he was saying.

Daniel: This seems exactly like a manager who is going to leave. He's also been quite hypocritical here as well by talking about us fans not supporting him, when he's been playing down Champions League qualification all season.

Simon: I was at the gam and the atmosphere was completely flat in the backdrop of a better performance. It felt like 60,000 people gone along to make sure they lost and were more interested in singing "stand up if you hate Arsenal". Ange has a point - focus on yourself and let them bottle it anyway.

Craig: Ange might be right. But that fragility comes from serial underachievement. Had Spurs experienced success like our neighbours the fans' attitude might have been a little different. He won’t understand deep rivalry because, at the end of the day, managers and players are journeymen with no club allegiance who sell their souls for the money.

Here are the key facts and figures before Sunday's game between Sheffield United and Tottenham in the Premier League.

• Sheffield United have lost their past three league games against Tottenham, as many as they had in their previous 13 against them (W5 D5).

• Tottenham won 3-1 in their most recent away league game against Sheffield United and they last won consecutive visits to Bramall Lane in December 1975.

• Sheffield United have won their final league game in each of the past three seasons. They most recently did so in more consecutive campaigns between 1969-70 and 1973-74 (five), with the fourth game in that run coming against Tottenham.

• Tottenham have lost their final league game in only one of the past 13 seasons, with that loss coming at already-relegated Newcastle in 2015-16.

We asked for your thoughts on the comments from Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou following yesterday's 2-0 loss to Manchester City.

You can send us your views on the matter here and these are some of your responses so far:

Nick: He’s managed Celtic and the Old Firm games. Ange’s comments after the match and in the press briefing were spot on. He understands rivalry but also what the fans have been asking for years, to win something. This team is fragile, with some of them going to move on and Ange needs the finances and the support of the fans to make this a success.

Linda: I have supported Spurs for over 50 years and as much as I would hate Arsenal to win the league, I would always want us to win games, especially if it means us getting a top-four spot. Yes Ange is absolutely spot on, there are elements of our club that are flaky and I am hoping that he is the man to sort it all out - we need that winning mentality.

Jose: Ange needs to wind his neck in and show some appreciation to the fans who have been backing him and the team despite this dreadful run we are currently on. One away win in 2024. One clean sheet in 20 games. It's 12 defeats in 27 games. Easily beaten at home by all three of our rivals. Out of both cups in three matches. Do your job!

Raj: Although it wasn't quite as bad as Conte's comments (after the infamous Southampton game), it does have a similar feel of a broken manager who is frustrated and angry. I just hope it doesn't end up going down the same route. Ange has achieved something small but significant in his first season - give him the time, resources and freedom to continue!

Geoff: I thought that our manager was spot on. We need to give him our full support. He is a winner. How can we ever have satisfaction in losing a match? I was disappointed that we lost but proud of our players who matched Man City for most of the match. We must build on the shoots of progress this year. Come on Spurs fans exciting times, believe.

Jonathan: Ange is wrong to question the fans. It was he who downplayed Champions League qualification all season. It was he who said set pieces weren't important, it was he who refused to adapt tactically throughout the season, as it "isn't who we are, mate"! Yet last night, he suddenly changes all of that and questions the ambition of the fans.

Make your selection over here

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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou did not hold back on his frustrations after their Champions League ambitions were finally ended by Manchester City.

Postecoglou claimed the 48 hours prior to the game had exposed fragilities in the foundations inside and outside the club.

He refused to elaborate, saying it was "just my observations" but Postecoglou left more questions than answers following his statement.

Was he referring to the subdued atmosphere inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the home fans knowing any sort of positive result would hand the Premier League title initiative to bitter rivals Arsenal?

And what about inside the club? Was he referencing the attitude of his players or something more significant? Postecoglou was keeping that to himself.

Postecoglou was astonished at the suggestion Spurs fans might prefer to lose and damage Arsenal's aspirations rather than win and lift their own.

Did he feel it revealed a small-time mentality that was fiercely opposed to his own approach?

The reaction revealed the partisan nature of football rivalry, which Postecoglou himself will have experienced when in charge of Celtic in Glasgow.

It certainly made for a tense night as Postecoglou was captured arguing with a Spurs fan behind his dugout and the home support chanted, "Are you watching, Arsenal?" after Erling Haaland put City in front.

Clearly all was not well and while Postecoglou's response was not an outburst - he is too low-key in public for that - what it certainly did was hint he will want changes in attitude in the summer.

Postecoglou must also reflect on his own part in a serious Spurs slump that resulted in a miserable end to the season and ensured Aston Villa made it into the top four ahead of them.

He may feel, with some justification, that fifth is a very respectable finish after selling Harry Kane last summer but the bottom line is Spurs were in a great position to make the Champions League, only to slip and allow Villa to beat them to the prestige and riches the tournament offers.

Spurs and Postecoglou can dress it up any way they like - there is no escaping this was a missed opportunity.

Postecoglou complains about "fragile" Spurs foundations

We asked our Tottenham fan contributor for their four player of the season choices and you can now vote for your top one.

Image source, Getty Images

Son Heung-min

Another fine season for Sonny after being appointed club captain in the summer. The South Korea international has scored 17 goals and grabbed nine assists despite now being without his influential partner, Harry Kane. He now sits fifth on the club's all-time goalscorers' list with Martin Chivers's 174 goals the next target.

Pedro Porro

Signed by Antonio Conte to play as a wing-back, many did not see Porro being able to adapt to Ange's inverted full-back system. How wrong they were. Excelling in this new role has seen him recalled to the Spain team while also grabbing seven assists in the Premier League. Porro will also be in contention for the club's goal of the season following his 25-yard strike against Burnley in the FA Cup.

Cristian Romero

The World Cup winner, now in his third season as a Tottenham player, has matured and cut out some of the aggressive and rash challenges seen previously. The vice-captain is also the highest-scoring central defender in the Premier League this season with five goals.

Guglielmo Vicario

The vocal and passionate Italian shotstopper in his first season at the club has been superb. Having instantly replaced club legend Hugo Lloris after more than a decade between the sticks, and adapting to the Premier League with ease, the next challenge is becoming Italy's number one.

Honourable mentions

Micky van de Ven has had a brilliant debut season and we all wonder where Spurs might be had he not picked up a six-week hamstring injury. And Destiny Udogie, who - at just 21 - has also settled in effortlessly and become one of the best left-backs in the league. He was rewarded with senior Italy caps and a new contract with Spurs until 2030.

Pick your 2023-24 Tottenham player of the season from our shortlist here

John Wenham can be found at Lilywhite Rose, external

After Tottenham's 2-0 loss to Manchester City yesterday, manager Ange Postecoglou said the foundations at the club are "fragile."

"It's inside the club, outside the club. Outside, inside, everywhere. It's been an interesting exercise. It's just my observations, " he said.

He was also filmed speaking to a Tottenham fan in the crowd and after the defeat, seemed deeply frustrated with the general approach to the fixture given the impact a loss would have on the title hopes of rivals Arsenal.

Spurs fans we want to hear your opinion on it. Could Postecoglou have reacted differently to it or does he have a point?

Let us know your thoughts here

Tottenham's 25-year-old Brazil defender Emerson Royal is a target for AC Milan with the Brazilian high on their shortlist for a new right-back. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

We asked for your thoughts after Manchester City moved to within a win of the Premier League title with a 2-0 victory that ended Tottenham's top-four hopes.

Here are some of your responses

Tottenham fans

George: We deserved more from the game. City don't dominate us at home. We lacked that finishing touch plus Ortega was outstanding. Our football at times was really penetrative. Didnt careless about what it meant to Arsenal. I wanted to win this game. Our home form has been sketchy this season. Need a striker.

Paul: At least Arsenal fans can’t complain that we rolled over for City. We dominated for long periods of the game and had several good chances but the finishing or the final pass was not good enough. Van der Ven did well at left-back and Maddison was more involved than he has been in the past eight or nine games. We need to finish strong on Sunday in Sheffield.

Pete: One of the best performances from a Spurs side this season, especially on the back of the three defeats against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, which, let’s be honest, were not good with Spurs showing little heart or quality. Tonight they showed both. At the beginning of the season with an unknown manager I would have taken this league position.

Lee: I don’t understand the Spurs supporters saying that they were conflicted. I wasn’t for one moment - I'm glad City won. We were never going to finish fourth.

Manchester City fans

Elz: Champions again ole ole! Champions again ole ole! On the brink of another title - Ortega miraculous, Haaland ruthless, Doku a game-changer. It's what we do.

Koeran: City weren't at their sparkling best, they were clearly nervous but they broke the Spurs curse and are on the brink of history... AGAIN! Come on City!

Ken: Champions display with clear sense of victory. Premier League 2023-24 has been won and lost today. Congratulations to the Champions - Manchester City.

Pat: A nervy performance from City but what a result. We started slow and the early periods of the game probably belonged to Spurs but we gradually grew in confidence and by half-time were looking more comfortable. The unusually flat atmosphere in the stadium didn’t help City but the second half showed a more determined approach and the quality shone through.

Image source, Reuters

Tottenham's defeat by Manchester City on Tuesday meant Spurs will not qualify for next season's Champions League.

Ange Postecoglou's side had spells at the top of the table in the early weeks of the season and were unbeaten in the Premier League until 6 November, but five defeats in the past six games have ended their hopes of finishing the campaign in the top four.

Ex-Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast: "I think it was really important [to qualify for the Champions League] for the manager and for the recruitment of players who can come in the door to make them even stronger, to have that belief and to set high standards.

"I think they had a right go [against City], we've seen a good side of them. There has been big improvements but that inconsistency towards the end has been really disappointing."

Newcastle and Chelsea, who play their penultimate league games on Wednesday, could still finish above Tottenham - although avoiding defeat by already-relegated Sheffield United on Sunday will confirm Spurs in fifth position and guarantee a spot in next season's Europa League.

Former Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer added: "They've just lost that little bit. They're not at the same of level of intensity, the communication on the pitch is not at the same level as it was earlier in the season, and they've got a really big game on the final day of the season away at Sheffield United.

"They've got to go there, put in a proper performance and show their fans that they're going to finish on a high note."

Listen to more analysis on BBC Sounds

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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou speaking in his post-match news conference after losing 2-0 to Manchester City: "The foundations are really fragile. The last 48 hours have shown me that. It's inside the club, outside the club."

"Outside, inside, everywhere. It's been an interesting exercise. It's just my observations mate [to journalist]. I'm not going to tell you, because it's for me. I'm the one who's got to do it.

"You can make your own assessments of what's happened. I understand. I probably misread the situation as to what I think is important in your endeavour to become a winning team, but that's ok. That's why I'm here."

Speaking to Sky Sports directly post-match: "It was a tight game and in the big moments we weren't able to capitalise and they were.

"I thought we were in the game the whole time, even at 1-0 we had a great chance to go level. In the second half we were chasing the game so they got a little more space but I thought we were well in it up until that point [the second goal]."

Is tonight a missed opportunity?: "Yes of course. We lost the game so it was a missed chance for three points. We had the opportunities and we had to punish them."

On how Tottenham measure up against City: "Nothing earth shattering that I didn't know before the game. We still have some work to do. We need to do some work to catch up."

On missing out on the Champions League: "We lost the game so I am disappointed.

Any pride to take? Not right now because we have lost. We will assess the season, still one more game to go, one more game against Sheffield United and we need to make sure we win.

"I think wherever you finish is a fair reflection of where you are at."

• Manchester City will sit top of the Premier League table heading into the final day of the season for the sixth time in the last seven seasons (exception 2019-20), going on to win the title in each of those previous campaigns.

• City are now unbeaten in 22 consecutive Premier League games (W18 D4), including all 18 in 2024 (W15 D3). The last two teams to make as long an unbeaten start to a calendar year failed to go on to win the title in that same year (Liverpool in 2022 – 2nd and Chelsea in 2008 – 2nd).

• None of Tottenham’s 19 home league games finished as a draw this season (W13 L6) - It is the first time in their history that they have not drawn at home in a league campaign.

• Tottenham are now guaranteed to finish outside of the top four positions in the Premier League for the fourth time in the last five seasons, after finishing in the Champions League spots in each of Mauricio Pochettino’s final four full campaigns in charge (2015-16 - 2018-19).

• Erling Haaland’s opener was the first goal Manchester City have scored in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with what was their 79th shot at the venue. It was the Citizens’ first away league goal against Spurs since Riyad Mahrez netted at Wembley Stadium in October 2018.

• Kevin De Bruyne has assisted Erling Haaland 12 times in the Premier League since the beginning of last season - at least four more times than any other player has for a teammate in the competition.

• De Bruyne has now recorded 10+ assists in six different Premier League seasons, the joint-most times alongside Cesc Fabregas; the Belgian (112) also moved ahead of the Spaniard into outright second for most assists in the competition’s history, behind only Ryan Giggs (162).

Manchester City moved to within one win of a historic fourth successive Premier League title with victory at Tottenham.

Erling Haaland's second-half double settled a tight encounter in which Spurs' hopes of a top-four finish ended, and sent Aston Villa into the Champions League for the first time next season.

Pep Guardiola's reigning champions will now lift the crown again if they beat West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on Sunday (16:00 BST).

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The team news for the Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City is in, with less than an hour to go until kick off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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