Tottenham Hotspur

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie at Championship side Coventry City (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Yves Bissouma will not be available to play, but "hopefully he will be OK" to face Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.

• There will be some squad rotation because he is "keen" to give his younger players game time: "They are ready to play - that's why we brought them to the club. They are training really well. The games haven't gone the way we wanted, in terms of giving them some more exposure, but we always knew that this is the period where it starts."

• He added: "The main thing is that we want to win, so you are looking at which players are in the best position to do that. We are looking at how much the guys have recovered and the guys who haven't played much."

• On his comments about "always winning silverware in his second season", he said: "I just stated a fact. Am I supposed to just lie or just say it never happened? I'm not sure how I'm supposed to answer something that is true."

• He added: "It has always happened and my plan is for it to happen again this year. If it doesn't happen, then I can't answer that question in the same way next year - I can say 'mostly' not 'always'."

• The Carabao Cup is "an opportunity to get on that road to success" and the players recognise the need to "win to progress", so the "focus" has been on beating Coventry City this week.

• He played down Cristian Romero sharing a social media post regarding his organised return from international duty: "[The retweet] was mentioned to me [after the game], but it wasn't mentioned to me before the game. All of the players were back by Thursday for the Sunday game. Prior to the game, there was nothing mentioned."

Follow all of Tuesday's news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

The New York Times' Chief Soccer correspondent, Rory Smith, believes Tottenham are at risk of teams now attempting to exploit weaknesses on set-pieces.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Smith said: "Once the perception that a team is weak from set-pieces sets in, I think that has an actual affect. It gives the opposition something."

Smith added that Spurs' opposition will think they can "exploit" the situation "whether it's statistically, true or not".

In Sunday's north London derby it was a goal conceded from a set-piece that saw Arsenal come away with all three points.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham's upcoming trip to Coventry City suddenly feels like a big game as Ange Postecoglou's leadership comes under scrutiny.

Of course, it is early days in the season but just one win from his first four Premier League matches has left Spurs needing results by mid-September.

Meanwhile, after a series of relaxed and fun news conferences, the Australian's post-match comments after the 1-0 defeat by Arsenal were fractious.

There may also be questions about Cristian Romero's sharing of an Argentine journalist's social media post pointing out that Spurs didn't book him a private jet when returning from international duty and that he arrived back either tired or ill.

Not one to suffer fools lightly, Postecoglou could continue his combative streak or seek to lighten the mood and highlight these are just early days in the season.

Either way, it will be a temperature check on the north Londoners and how people are feeling behind the scenes following Sunday's disappointing derby.

Come back to this page later on for all the key lines from Postecoglou

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

We need to talk about Son Heung-min.

A little while ago he said he would like to be remembered as a Spurs legend, but doesn’t think he can be considered one until he’s won a trophy with the club.

Last season wasn’t the best for Son, not by his usual high standards anyway. As a fan, I gave him a bit of a free pass because a) it’s Sonny and b) he was being played out of position in a way that I didn’t think suited him.

So I was really pleased when we signed Dominic Solanke – not least because we were desperate for a striker – but mostly because I knew it would mean Son could get back to business on the wing.

However, at 32 years old, is that actually where Son is best? Does he still have that electric burst of pace? Or is it the system that is failing him? When Ange first arrived at Spurs there was a lot of talk about risk and reward football. Unfortunately, the only risk I’ve seen consistently from this Spurs side is at the back. Where has the risk gone from our wide attacking players?

Either Son needs to start receiving the ball higher up the pitch so he can challenge the opposition with his quick feet and close ball control – rather than relying on his pace over longer distances – or, dare I say it, he needs to play as a striker, but this time in a front two with Solanke.

Ange needs to change something to ensure he gets the best out of Son – and everyone else for that matter. Let’s hope the manager is less predictable and takes more risks with his set-up in the cup this week. We all want a trophy – and Son deserves that legendary status.

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on X, external

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There is nothing like a derby defeat by your biggest rivals to send the mood around a manager spinning in the wrong direction.

Before the international break, the narrative was Tottenham had played well at the start of the season but were unlucky to earn just four points from the first three games - beating Everton, drawing with Leicester and losing at Newcastle.

Although poor finishing from Spurs was again the decisive factor in the 1-0 loss at home to an injury-hit Arsenal on Sunday, manager Ange Postecoglou now appears under pressure from sections of the fanbase.

The Australian has won just 44 points from his past 32 matches as manager after a poor end to last season.

And vice-captain Cristian Romero has shared a social media post by an Argentine journalist saying he played with a fever and that Spurs did not optimise his travel back from international duty.

Amid this backdrop, Postecoglou's previously affable news conferences turned prickly again when addressing Gabriel's winner from a corner.

"I know, for some reason, people think I don't care about set-pieces, and it's a narrative that you can keep going on for ages and ages. I understand that," he said.

"We work on them all the time, like we do with every other team. You know that they're a threat. For the most part we handled them really well, but we switched off in one and we paid a price."

He also added when speaking to Sky Sports: "I always win things in my second year - nothing has changed. I don't say things if I don't believe them."

Ironically, Arsenal highlighted the benefits of sticking with a project manager, especially in a sub-par second season, but there could be a lot of debate around Postecoglou in the coming months.

Image source, Getty Images

Former West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan says Ange Postecoglou is "in a proper league where people are finding chinks in your armour," after Tottenham lost Sunday's north London derby.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Nolan said: "I don't think they have the squad to be better than Arsenal at this moment in time.

"It's the Premier League, not the Scottish League - you're not in Australia or Japan now.

"It will be interesting to see what happens because it was very poor from Tottenham. I expected more due to Arsenal's vulnerabilities."

Listen to the full episode here

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Tottenham fan Ricky Sacks from the Last Word On Spurs podcast, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "We were playing an Arsenal side without both of their key midfielders.

"Tottenham will not get a better chance to beat an Arsenal side, given where Arsenal are at now.

"The concerning thing is Tottenham, for all of their opportunities, had nothing really.

"To be honest with you, Spurs didn't lay a massive glove on Arsenal and that is the biggest frustration.

"I think the majority of Spurs fans want this to work under the manager, but as the weeks go on it does feel that we're getting more questions than answers.

"That is really concerning at the moment."

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Spurs fans

Adam: Depressingly familiar performance symptomatic of recent times, promising much but failing to deliver. Set-piece problems need addressing urgently. There is much to admire about the style of the current team, but the content is still too thin.

Larry: Same old, same old. What is the use of having the majority of the possession or 'controlling ' the game if you don't convert it into goals and wins? Don't believe that Postecoglou has any idea of a plan B, and needs to employ a set-piece coach!

Andy: Possibly the worst performance from a Spurs team in a north London derby that I’ve seen in years. We still can’t defend set-pieces and our goal threat is becoming laughable. Nobody wants to take responsibility up front. I couldn’t name one Spurs player who rated more than a 4/10 and I’m being generous.

Arsenal fans

Anish: Excellent defensive shape and looked solid throughout the game. Always a threat on the counter, especially in the first half. Hard work and discipline by all players saw us through the game to take back the three points and a clean sheet.

George: Yet again confirming the steps forward Arsenal are making. Winning in more ways than one - even when depleted, they find a way. Not many teams will win at Tottenham this season. We have a superb defence and a much stronger squad. With that said, it is time for us to win a competition.

Dan: The Arsenal of old would have played a far more expansive game. They'd have looked better but wouldn't have got a win. It's great to see Arsenal playing with a plan, playing with grit and showing that they can 'do a job' on top teams in order to get a result.

Image source, Getty Images

Is the direction Tottenham are going in under Ange Postecoglou worrying?

Darren Fletcher, host of the latest BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast, opened discussion by breaking down Spurs' stats since the Australian arrived in June 2023.

"They did not lose any of his first 10 matches in the Premier League - and they won most of them. But from that point, they have played 32 Premier League games and won 13, lost 14 and drawn five. They have taken 44 points from a possible 96, and kept four clean sheets in the process.

"That is form of a mid-table team at best. Not of a team that want to be the biggest in London and better than Arsenal.

"Is that good enough for Tottenham Hotspur?"

Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker replied: "Last season I was massively impressed and thought we could see a change happening there. But Tottenham completely lack balance.

"Yes, their football is entertaining but there is no plan B. Teams have worked them out, yet they still continue to play the same way with the same style.

"It is only a matter of time before the fans start wanting to win matches, and climbing up the league, without the entertainment value.

"That is why the balance is so important. Teams want to entertain, but your job is to win the football matches.

"I am starting to worry about them because they are too aggressive. How much longer can they go on doing this? The numbers are not for great reading.

"It comes to a point where you have to start looking at the manager and his tactics."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's two Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Saturday's games.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest

• Aston Villa 3-2 Everton

• Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal

• Wolves 1-2 Newcastle United

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Ange Postecoglou spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Tottenham's defeat to Arsenal: "I thought it was a tight game all the way along. we controlled it for the most part and got off to a good start. We didn't capitalise on the opportunities and we were unable to get on top of them.

"We lost concentration [for the goal]. We've got some big guys in there who really attack the ball and we just switched off for a second.

"I think I've said my piece. For the most part we controlled the game today, had good territory and possession but we didn't make the most of it and we got punished."

Image source, Getty Images

There were seven yellows cards in the first half of Sunday's North London derby (five for Tottenham, two for Arsenal); the joint-most cards ever shown in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League match.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Tottenham’s performance, external

What did you make of Arsenal’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Read the match report and follow reaction

There are two Premier League games on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

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BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary on both games on BBC Sounds

• Wolves v Newcastle - BBC Radio WM from 16:30 BST

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Sol Campbell believes Tottenham have a 'window of opportunity' against Arsenal as Mikel Arteta could be without several players for the North London derby.

Declan Rice is suspended and Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori got injured on international duty - adding to the longer term absence of new signing Mikel Merino.

When asked about the situation, Campbell, who famously made a controversial move from Spurs to Arsenal on a free transfer, said: "I think controlling the midfield might be a problem [for Arsenal]. I think the defence and frontline will be fine. I think where it could be won and lost is in midfield.

"In that sense, the defenders will have to do a little bit more work. Sometimes, in these situations, you can see where you can step up. Sometimes you’re not going to have every single player on the field and you might have to do an extra 10 percent to get through the game.

"That’s the challenge in football and say the Arsenal players should be up for and Tottenham should look to take advantage of. But Arsenal have got a good record and they are going in the right way with a good mentality.

"They can handle it but Tottenham have an window of opportunity that might not be there next time in midfield. It's still a top game with bragging rights. It's a special game. It can be a tight game and you're on tenterhooks. It's been spicy in the past as well."

Campbell also said Arteta's new contract was "deserved", adding: "They have rewarded him for great performances and nearly winning the league. Let’s see if they can take it one step further but, again, there’s injuries so it will be about the squad."

And believes Sterling will be a great addition for their title charge. "I tell you what, if you just look at the deal, it was a great one for Arsenal because I think Chelsea are paying half the wages. Really Arsenal can't lose.

" If he steps up, with something to prove, he is at a club with a manager he knows, and that really helps. Raheem knows how Mikel Arteta works, and the manager knows what makes him tick and how to get the best out of Sterling.

"It's a fresh start. Raheem knows he's at a top club. It's a perfect opportunity for him, now take it!"

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week four, he takes on Femi Koleoso and Ife Ogunjobi from jazz band Ezra Collective, the 2023 Mercury Music Prize winners.

Sutton's prediction: 3-2

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has just signed a new contract, so maybe his mind has been on that new deal and how he can spend it on furnishing his house rather than the north London derby.

Being serious, though, Rice and Odegaard are such big losses that I can't help but feel it will have an impact. Arsenal have got quality players like Jorginho and Thomas Partey to come into their midfield, but they are missing two of their best players.

The Gunners will get chances in this game and I expect them to score - they won this fixture 3-2 last season and drew 2-2 at the Emirates, and I am expecting more of the same.

This time, however, I am going to back Spurs. I know everyone who is reading this will probably go for a draw but I am not going to do that. Instead, I am going to stick my long neck out and say 'Angeball' will come out on top.

Spurs have dominated games and created chances this season, but they just need someone to stick the ball in the back of the net and I have a feeling that will happen for them here. If I am right, then we may as well hand the title to Manchester City.

Koleoso's prediction: 0-3

I am going for an Arsenal win - if Ange plays with a high line again then I am pretty confident we will win. Spurs also don't defend set-pieces very well, and we are good at them.

Ogunjobi prediction: 1-1

As a neutral, I am going for a draw. I am interested to see how Arsenal get on in midfield without Rice and Odegaard.

Read the full predictions and have your say here