Postecoglou "hurting" after late goal costs Spurs in 2-2 draw with Wolves

Ange Postecoglou Picture by Charlie Stong

Ange Postecoglou admits he is "hurting" after a disappointing 2-2 home draw with lowly Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium yesterday.

Spurs have won just one Premier League game in seven since their emphatic 4-0 win at the Etihad against Manchester City in November.

But Jorgen Strand Larsen's goal three minutes from time means Spurs have picked up just five points in the seven games since that trip to Manchester, conceding 15 goals in the process.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Postecoglou said: "It is a disappointing outcome. We went a goal down but after that I thought we got control of the game. 

"It wasn't easy to get openings but I thought we looked threatening when we got forward. We scored a couple of goals, missed a penalty. Then I thought in the second half we had some really big moments to kill the game off.

"They weren't really creating that much. Fraser (Forster) I think had one save to make with his feet, but we needed that third goal and obviously they scored at the end and we were left with a disappointing outcome, but it was not through the want of trying."

Postecoglou was faced with the prospect of all four first-team central defenders being absent through injury yesterday, and although Radu Dragusin recovered sufficiently from an ankle knock in the defeat at Nottingham Forest to start yesterday, he was partnered by versatile youngster Archie Gray, with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies all still out.

Spurs were also without full-back Djed Spence, who was suspended for one match after receiving two yellow cards against Forest.

First-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is expected to be out until February while d Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Mikey Moore are also out. 

"The lads are fairly fatigued, especially in that final third we are not as sharp as we can be, which is understandable because we are asking a lot of a small group of players," said Postecoglou.

"We haven't got any ability to rotate. The players are giving everything they can at the moment but unfortunately we cannot give them what they really need which is some recovery and rest because we have got so many players out.

"They are very disappointed. I can see how hard they are trying. A lot of the guys are finding some kind of energy and are trying but we are certainly not as sharp as we can be.

"It doesn't seem like we are getting a smooth run at anything in terms of getting players back to freshen up the team. When we get one back we lose one, but we just have to get through it.

"There is still a hell of a lot for us to play for and with what is on the horizon we have to make sure we give the players all the support we can to perform at their best.

"Of course I am hurting. I am responsible ultimately so of course it hurts. 

"When I see how hard they are trying it hurts even more because you want them to get a reward, and I think today they deserved a reward for their efforts even though they were dipping into reserves of energy.

"At the same time it is my responsibility for where we are now and it is my responsibility to try to get us out of it."

Spurs face in-form Newcastle at home on Saturday before Liverpool visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next midweek in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.