Tottenham Hotspur

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There are question marks around Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou and it is easy for fans to call for someone like Mauricio Pochettino to return when they felt like they had success under him even without winning trophies.

Postecoglou could build something similar if he is given five years like Pochettino. If he is given what he wants and time to work and is measured on that then that is a more reasonable way to see whether he is taking the club in a different direction or not.

It's about how we measure success. Pochettino got to a Champions League final where Spurs lost to Liverpool, and consistently qualified for the competition, but did not deliver a trophy.

It's always difficult for managers to come back. They will always get respect if they have done well at the club previously but then if things start going badly a well-respected figure can lose that status quite quickly with the fans.

It depends if the club view that as the right direction or as a step backwards. Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea and was an absolute legend from his first stint and again at the start of his return, but things unfolded and there was a bit of a sour taste when he left after the second spell as he lost the dressing room.

The difference between those two managers is that Mourinho was a serial winner whereas Pochettino has not done that.

If they are looking for someone to get the fans back on board it is a good option but is Pochettino the right man to change and progress the club? I probably don't think so.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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In the third part of our Q&A on Spurs, our news reporter Nizaar Kinsella tries to put his finger on the concept of culture at Tottenham and why this club in particular is criticised over not being able to win trophies.

Francis asked: What do people mean, specifically, when they say there's no winning DNA at Tottenham? Is it player culture, staff culture, the medical team? Very few teams win things, even fewer win regularly, but this is commonly pointed at Tottenham in a way it isn't at other clubs.

Nizaar answered: I've always been told by high achievers in football at other clubs that you must first go close to winning before actually crossing the line.

The concern with Tottenham is they were close under Mauricio Pochettino but have let that ebb away, chasing the winning DNA with Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho, all the while disconnecting from the fans by abandoning a style of football fans wanted.

For a time, Ange Postecoglou looked to be the man to tie it together but look further away than ever. The longer you go without winning a trophy, the harder it gets and many in that squad have never won silverware.

When you meet footballers, the vast majority of them go their entire careers without winning a trophy and Spurs trying to break that cycle is the hardest thing to achieve in the sport - in the toughest league in the world.

• Not a Spurs fan? Find and follow your club here

Alex asked: With a succession of successful managers who have not won anything at Spurs, is the problem that it's too comfortable and lacks a winning culture with average players?

Nizaar answered: For all I have said about the medical reasons, the manager and the ownership, I also think the players deserve scrutiny. Particularly, there remain questions about whether the leadership group consists of strong enough winners or whether Spurs are just not quite talented enough to win.

It is also fair to say the recruitment in the summer around young players may have seen Spurs take one step back to take two steps forward.

Having met a lot of the Spurs players in my decade in football, there are clearly a lot of wonderful, honest and ambitious people involved. The young players seem extremely talented, but it just has not come together for a winning culture.

Come back later on Wednesday for our final part looking at the boardroom at Tottenham

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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In the second part of our Q&A with our Tottenham news reporter Nizaar Kinsella, he looks at your questions on Spurs' squad and whether there is a historical issue behind under-performance.

John asked: Spurs always seem to have quite a big drop off when missing certain players. Why do you think squad depth has been such a persistent issue at Spurs?

Nizaar answered: This is an age-old philosophical debate about Spurs dating to Mauricio Pochettino's time as manager. More recently, we heard vice-captain Cristian Romero say Spurs simply have less squad depth than their rivals in December when speaking after defeat by Chelsea.

Part of it may be the stature of the club. Are Spurs really a club you expect to carry the biggest and deepest squad of options? Do they inherently deserve to win trophies?

But I went to the protests at the recent Manchester United game and there was a sense that with such high profits being pocketed amid good off-field progress, that more could be done to push for silverware with fans in attendance highlighting how the club had been successful in that regard before Enic's ownership.

As for why? I think Spurs have tried to build a substantial squad but have made too many missteps in the transfer market, including players like Bryan Gil and Tanguay Ndombele.

I think they need to be near-perfect in the market to match those clubs who are more able to write off transfer failures and go again.

• Not a Spurs fan? Find and follow your club here

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Ian asked: Do you think Ange should use the remaining league games to get a settled core of the team or rotate the players to look at all his options (if he feels he still be in the job next season)?

Nizaar answered: I saw Wayne Rooney and Troy Deeney criticised Ange Postecoglou on Match of the Day for rotating at Fulham. I was at that match and the performance was again poor. They both agreed a consistency of selection is necessary to build a bit of form.

However, I do feel he showed a good responsibility to the club in rotating to keep players fit rather than simply picking a team that would win on the day.

My belief is that it is not ideal to rotate seven players per match but there needs to be some competition and prospect for the fringe players now Spurs have everyone fit, and after signing three players in January without letting anyone go.

There are also players like Micky van de Ven who still need managing.

After the international break, those lacking match fitness after the winter injury crisis should be even more robust and able to handle two games per week.

There will also be fewer excuses available to Postecoglou when he has a stronger, fitter squad at his disposal.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Over the course of Wednesday, we are putting your questions to our Tottenham reporter Nizaar Kinsella.

In this first part, he gives his thoughts on whether the days of boss Ange Postecoglou are numbered.

Tim asked: Do you think Ange has a future with Spurs?

Nizaar answered: I get the sense Spurs don't want to make a change right now but that there is genuine frustration growing about the underperformance behind the scenes.

Spurs really want Postecoglou to work out and have been very patient with him so far. The Australian has said he has not felt "alone" during this time and been supported.

But, with all their goodwill and hope the Europa League can save Postecoglou, I am not sure they can win the argument that he should stay if they get knocked out of Europe.

As of today, that's my best read of the situation.

• Not a Spurs fan? Find and follow your club here

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Stuart asked: With the procession of injuries that Tottenham Hotspur have suffered, and the relatively promising numbers behind the performances at the start of the season, is it fair to judge Ange Postecoglou on this season's results?

Nizaar answered: I think it is fair to caveat Spurs are falling drastically short of their targets amid an injury crisis under Postecoglou. I do, however, not think all the injuries are simply down to luck.

We know that there are a huge number of players injured on their return to play from injury, especially from hamstring injuries, which are often linked to player workload.

We know that Micky van de Ven played for longer than suggested by the medical department against Chelsea. We know that the medical team changed behind the scenes and the club are recruiting new staff as we speak. We know the medical record has declined since head of medicine and sport science Geoff Scott left, for example. We know several players, like Van de Ven and Romero, have sought external medical advice.

There is a legitimate question about the demands of Postecoglou's style of play on his squad.

Therefore, I think we will need real answers from people around north London about the three-month injury crisis in winter and what they plan to do to avoid this happening, especially if this season ends poorly.

If these answers do not come, I'd be sceptical of claims that it is just luck, that Postecoglou is not at least partly to blame and that all will be well next season.

Come back later on Wednesday for part two looking at Tottenham's squad

Nick Godwin
BBC Radio London reporter

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Of all the curiosities in this exasperating season for Tottenham, surely it is the midfield - or lack thereof - that stands out as the most infuriating.

Even Ange Postecoglou, who has gone above and beyond in defending his players this season, ran out of patience with Yves Bissouma on Sunday, subbing him at half-time and criticising his display afterwards.

I have had the distinct impression all season that the Tottenham manager is not sure how to use his midfield with the options available. Bissouma has started 14 Premier League games, Pape Sarr 16 and Rodrigo Bentancur 16 as well - although bans and injuries have affected those numbers.

There is no consistency there at all.

Lucas Bergvall has increasingly become part of the reckoning - great for him and he has had some good moments - but an 18-year-old fresh from the Swedish league should surely be playing a less prominent role in a team with designs on Champions League qualification at the start of the season.

Archie Gray was always supposed to be a midfielder but has been pressed into service elsewhere. He may be the long-term answer but to ask him to stitch this Tottenham team together for the climax of the season seems unfair.

With Tottenham's Premier League form seemingly in terminal decline, those two Europa League games against Eintracht Frankfurt have taken on even greater significance and you would want your best team ready and motivated for that huge task.

The fact the Spurs midfield appears a work in progress even as we speak piles even more pressure on the players who do get selected for those defining games.

• Not a Tottenham fan? Find and follow your club here

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Rory from Ireland asked: Manchester United and Spurs both hope to reach the Champions League by winning the Europa League, but are they ready?

‌Pat answered: Both United and Spurs are having awful seasons compared to what they would have expected and both are relying on the Europa League to give them some succour. I would love to say that they are in their poor league positions, 13th and 14th respectively, because they have decided to concentrate on the one trophy they both can still win, but it clearly isn't the case. They simply haven't been good enough domestically.

‌If either does win the Europa League and 'sneaks' into the Champions League via that route then I have no problem. As they say, "dems da rules". And you just have to use them to your advantage.

‌Will either team be ready was the question. The answer is, that depends, ready for what? Ready to win it? Absolutely not, both look miles away from that possibility, even if qualifying would allow them to speed up the rebuild if you are United or provide additional squad depth in Spurs' case.

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‌If the question is more about surviving in the Champions League for a decent amount of time, well yes, both could. When you are involved in the new League style, there is every chance of getting a decent draw and there are teams in there that are not from the absolute elite level.

In a one-off game with a fair wind could United or Spurs beat the likes of Brugge, Brest, Bern's Young Boys, Bologna, Benfica or Bratislava? Yes of course they could, and that is only the teams beginning with a B (well, kind of beginning with B).

‌There are plenty of teams that will make it into the Europa Conference League that are highly unlikely to win it.

I am convinced neither of those two would embarrass themselves but then again I expect both those teams to be far better next season than they have been this time round.

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We asked you about the prospect of Mauricio Pochettino returning to Tottenham in the future, after he said he would like to return to the club one day.

Here are some of your comments:

Michael: Absolutely would welcome him back. Give Ange next season to keep equilibrium. If it doesn't work then Poch returns after the 2026 World Cup! He has unfinished business.

Jimmy: I personally haven't felt a connection to the club since he left five or six years ago. Football is all about emotion to me and I've felt a disconnect since the day he left. Like most of my fellow season ticket holders, we'd have him back tomorrow. It's been a badly fractured fanbase since his departure and only he can reunite us.

Steve: I don't want Poch back. He bottled it last time and I've seen nothing since to suggest he's changed.

Adam: Would love to see Poch back with us one day, really hope it happens. Unlikely to be in the next cycle but hope it works out in the end, incredible memories from that Champions League final run, including how much it meant to him, that will always stay with me.

Mark: I think he has unfinished business at Spurs. If Levy had supported him with signings when he asked, then I think our wait for a trophy would have been ended. We have struggled to fill the void since his departure and I would welcome him back with open arms.

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We are at the business end of the season and Tottenham still have silverware to fight for, despite inconsistent form of late.

We are putting our Spurs expert on the spot to answer questions on your Tottenham topic of choice.

BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella will answer a selection later this week.

Submit your question for Nizaar here

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Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says he would be open to a return to Spurs in the future.

"When I left the club I always remember one interview I said I would like one day to come back to Tottenham," the Argentine told Sky Sports.

"I am in the USA, so I am not going to talk about that now - but what I said then I still, after six years or five years, feel in my heart. Yes, I would like one day to come back."

What do you think, Spurs fans? Would you want Pochettino to return in the future, or should the club move on?

Tell us here

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

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Ange Postecoglou's days as Spurs manager have felt numbered for a while now. After yet another defeat in the Premier League on Sunday, that number is getting perilously low for the adamant Aussie.

The 'Ange In' faithful will reassure you to trust the process, arguing this manager has a clear plan to get Spurs back to winning ways by playing stylish football and that he has just been desperately unlucky with an unprecedented injury crisis.

However, the 'Ange Out' tribe have lost all patience in a manager who they feel is out of his depth and unwilling to adapt. They argue his style of play is, in large part, what created such a devastating series of injuries in the first place.

I sit somewhere in the middle. I desperately want it to work out for Ange, not because I feel particularly warm and fuzzy about the man himself – he's no Poch – but more because I cannot face another trip on the managerial merry-go-round.

Also, when Angeball works – as evidenced in the build-up play for our third goal against AZ Alkmaar last Thursday – it is a delightful experience.

One of my key concerns is that we do not have enough Angeball-type players on rotation to consistently execute this style and, instead of accepting that and adapting, Ange ploughs on regardless, resulting in some embarrassing performances and frustrating losses.

A lot of the players seem shell-shocked from spending the majority of the season surviving rather than thriving. Is this really all down to injuries though or are there deeper-rooted issues in Postecoglou's approach?

As the injured players return, we are about to find out the true extent of these issues – real and perceived – and, ultimately, if Angeball is more likely to fail or to succeed.

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

Liverpool are ahead of Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle United in the race to sign 24-year-old Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. (Football Insider), external

Tottenham have identified Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Fulham manager Marco Silva as their top targets, should they part ways with Ange Postecoglou. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Ange Postecoglou missed an "opportunity" by rotating his squad against Fulham on Sunday, says former Premier League striker Wayne Rooney.

The Tottenham boss made seven changes to his starting XI from the one that saw his side through to the last eight of the Europa League on Thursday night.

However, it came back to bite him as Spurs lost 2-0 at Craven Cottage - their 15th defeat of a disappointing league campaign.

"I really like Ange, I think he is a top manager, but I just didn't understand the changes [against Fulham]," said Rooney on BBC MOTD2.

"You have got a responsibility to the fans who want Tottenham to do well and it is clear the fans are not happy with what is going on at the moment, both on and off the pitch.

"I thought this match was an opportunity to build on going through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League and give the Tottenham fans something going into this international break.

"I know as a player, when you lose a game going into that international break, it is horrible, there is no worse feeling. You have got two weeks thinking about the game.

"I don't think Tottenham are in a position where they can rest players and make as many changes."

Ex-Watford forward Troy Deeney agreed, adding: "When you look at Spurs, they are in a situation now where they're just hoping [to finish the season well]. You have got to go with your strongest team.

"[Wilson] Odobert just scored two goals - let him play. If he gives you 60, 70 minutes and he blows up then no problem, take him off, you've got 18 days [break].

"Keep that strong squad, get that momentum going and go into that international break [on a positive result]."

Watch the discussion back on BBC iPlayer

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Fulham and Spurs.

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Will: What a win. We always bounce back from poor games and we have shown that again. It's a tough run of games until the end of season but we play well against big teams so it's not over till it's over.

Bob: I listened on the radio and was nervous that we didn't put Spurs to the sword in the first half. We always seem edgy. We get into good positions but don't score. Muniz again finished well, and Sessegnon - who when at Spurs just couldn't get going - comes home and proves he has still got a lot to offer. Fulham are a family club, always has been, always will be!

Ash: We were average, some great moves but bitty in places. We've played better this season and lost. A win but can't build momentum - the international break tends to work against us. Still all to play for and chase down the teams above us. We will definitely beat our Premier League points total.

Spurs fans

Alexander: Another dismal performance - particularly in midfield. Why Ange insists on picking Bissouma I just fail to understand and then he takes him off at half time. This is the worst organised team I have seen since Spurs were relegated. Not many of your readers will remember the 1970s but I do!

Dave: Please can we be put out of our misery and start preparing for next season with another manager? We will not win the Europa League, our Premier League performances continue to be an utter embarrassment and we are lucky there are three teams adrift at the bottom - it's the same boring excuses week after week.

Tony: Same old rubbish. Didn't start playing until the second half, we can't keep the ball and can't seem to pass it too well either. We try to play football in the wrong areas instead of clearing the ball away from danger. Frankfurt will be licking their lips after watching this performance.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's three Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

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:

• Ipswich Town 2-4 Nottingham Forest

• AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford

• Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea

• Fulham 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

• Leicester City 0-3 Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur are one of several Premier League clubs tracking the progress of Inter Miami's American midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, 20. (TBR Football), external

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

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Spurs have lost 15 of their 29 league matches this season - their joint-most at this stage of a Premier League campaign (also 15 after 29 in 1997-1998).