Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou has attributed the team’s inconsistent start to the season to his own approach rather than the players.
Spurs suffered a 2-1 defeat to Ipswich on Sunday, marking their fifth loss in 11 Premier League games and placing them 10th, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.
While they’ve advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, they recently lost to Galatasaray in the Europa League after winning their first three matches in the competition.
Tottenham’s longest league winning streak this season stands at two games, with five consecutive wins across all competitions as their best overall run.
When asked about the reasons for their inconsistency, Postecoglou told BBC Sport: “It’s just down to me. I’m not getting consistent performances from the players.
“It’s something I need to address. I’m the person in charge so that’s usually the way it goes.
“I take responsibility when their performances don’t meet the levels that they should.”
Asked by Sky Sports if it was a new feeling, he said: “No, I think it’s been our season so far. It’s been really inconsistent.”
Tottenham once again fell behind and trailed 2-0 at the break after goals for Sam Szmodics and Liam Delap.
Rodrigo Bentancur’s header gave Spurs hope but they were unable to force an equaliser.
It was the 13th time Spurs have fallen 1-0 behind in 15 home Premier League matches in 2024.
Only Spurs themselves in 1994 (14), Ipswich in 1994 (14) and Crystal Palace in 2017 (14) have fallen behind more at home in a single calendar year.
“There are different reasons [to why it has happened],” Postecoglou told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Today was a bit different to other times. We were way too passive.
“If you give the opposition that much of a head start it takes a lot to claw it back.”
Following Tottenham’s loss to Arsenal in the north London derby in September, Postecoglou expressed optimism, stating, “I always win things in my second season” at a club and added he “absolutely” thought Spurs could challenge for silverware this season.