Earlier this month, Tottenham held a 2-0 lead at Brighton during halftime, only to suffer a 3-2 loss by the end of the match.
This defeat has highlighted a challenging start to the season for Ange Postecoglou’s team and was quickly followed by the international break, giving the squad ample time to reflect on their performance.
This weekend, Spurs will return to action against fierce competitors West Ham, which presents either a chance to bounce back or a difficult setback for their supporters.
Before the match, Postecoglou spoke to the press, clearly outlining his approach for the important game.
“The international break might have its pros or cons. While it could benefit the players, I dislike having to sit with a loss,” Postecoglou mentioned to Optus Sport.
“You want to rid yourself of the defeat and move on, rather than dwelling on it.
“It’s easy to overthink such situations. It was a painful outcome.
“The first half against Brighton was fantastic, likely our best performance this year, yet the second half was disappointing.”
“It wasn’t just the loss that stung; it was the way we played that left me uneasy.
“With international fixtures, as soon as the match ends, everyone disperses, making it hard to analyze in the dressing room.
“I’ve been reflecting on this for 10 days, and I’m ready to unleash my thoughts when they return. It will serve as my release.”
How effective Postecoglou’s release will be on his players is yet to be determined, but a London derby against West Ham might just provide that extra push for Tottenham, especially since they were unable to secure a win against them in both Premier League encounters last season.