Ange Postecoglou urges Tottenham players to "feel the pain" after Wolves defeat

11 November 2023 , 16:22

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Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham suffered back to back defeats (Image: VINCE MIGNOTT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Ange Postecoglou urged his Tottenham players to feel the pain after two injury-time goals sentenced them to defeat at Molineux.

Under-strength Spurs looked to be heading back to the top of the Premier League thanks to Brennan Johnson’s first goal for the club after two minutes.

But Pablo Sarabia brought Wolves level in the 91st minute with a sensational volley before setting up Mario Lemina for the winner six minutes later.

It was Tottenham's second defeat in six days and a philosophical Postecoglou said: “It's part of the pain of football when things happen in those circumstances. You've just got to take it. I can't fault the players' effort or their commitment. It was always going to be a tough game.

“We started well but we could have been a little bit more positive and aggressive with the ball. I've got to temper that with the fact we have had so many changes and we're not going to get the same, especially when three of your back four are almost starting for the first time.

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“We were winning the game and maybe in the back of our guys’ minds, there was a little bit of self-preservation to get us through to the end of the game.

“You could see they were feeling it towards the end. For the most part, Wolves didn't have many big chances but at the end they scored. Wolves were able to lift themselves, particularly with the crowd behind them. Our character and commitment was there, don't dismiss that. There are plenty of positives to take and they will be stronger for it.”

Simon Mullock