Tottenham (England) is struggling at the starting line of the 2024-2025 season. It is time for "captain" Son Heung-min to play again.
Tottenham won 2-1 against Coventry City in the third round of the League Cup (Carabao Cup) held at the Coventry Building Society Arena in the U.K. on Wednesday with Brennan Johnson's come-from-behind goal in the second half. Tottenham won the last official League Cup in the 2007-2008 season and is aiming to win its first trophy in 17 years.
Tottenham succeeded in changing the mood by winning the match. Watchers say that Tottenham had a tough time beating Coventry City in the Championship (division 2). About 64 hours after the match, Tottenham also have to play in the fifth round of the league. Tottenham will face Brentford on Monday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It is a game in which they cannot miss three points.
Tottenham's early days of the season are not good. As the team lost 0-1 at home to Arsenal on Saturday, it lost to Newcastle United for the second straight time. With one win, one draw and two losses in four matches since the season's opening, the team has only accumulated four points, falling behind the top 10. It is the worst start for Tottenham, which was also considered a candidate for the semifinal this season. Above all, the loss to Northern London rival Arsenal is even more painful.
A question mark has also been drawn on the leadership of Tottenham manager Anji Postecoglou, who had high expectations. In the local media, he is mentioned as the No. 1 candidate for dismissal in the early days of the season. Postecoglou, who is in his second year as a coach, elevated his team to the top with his hot attack football last season. He has been expected to be the head coach to save Tottenham from the downturn, which Jose Mourinho, Nunu Espiritu Santo and Antonio Conte have not resolved.
However, the team has yet to find a solution to its defense instability, which it has exposed since the end of last season. Moreover, its attack efficiency has also decreased significantly. Not only Son Heung-min but also most of its offensive resources have decreased. Striker Dominic Solanke's performance in the summer transfer market has not yet met expectations.
Postecoglou expressed his unwavering confidence that he would "lift the trophy this season," stressing that "every game is an opportunity to move on the path to success," but public sentiment remains chilly. Shortly after the match against Arsenal, the soccer media "90min" said, "Tottenham dominated the game, but rarely sent the ball to dangerous areas. The movements at both ends were too predictable," adding, "We have narrowed the financial gap with the top teams in the league, but there is no legacy of a successful team yet." Analysts say that the gap between the two teams in the league is large with Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
Naturally, harsh criticism is directed at Son, the team's main player. Fans are also criticizing Postecoglou's decision not to replace Son, who showed poor performance in the match against Arsenal. Son has had two goals in four matches in the league, both of which were scored in the second round match against Everton (4-0 win). Son, who is playing full-time in all four matches in the league, is being negatively evaluated in the other three matches. Some criticize Son's leadership in the locker room.
The match against Brentford requires a come-from-behind victory not only for Postecoglou who is rumored to be dismissed but also for Son, who is said to have been hit by an aging curve. Son's dependence on Son will inevitably increase. In general, strikers are not showing good performance. Son will play a match against Arsenal following the A-team schedule in early September, and will likely take a heavy responsibility despite the physical burden of playing as a substitute (about 30 minutes) until the League Cup. 토토사이트
Brentford is currently ranked ninth in the league by accumulating six points (two wins and two losses). Son has scored two goals in six matches against Brentford.