Ange Postecoglou has admitted that his Tottenham Hotspur players simply “can't accept” their miserable run of form.
Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Arsenalwhile shrouded in controversy, it was Tottenham's 11th defeat in just 21 Premier League games this season – equaling their previous unlucky record from the 1997/98, 2003/04 and 2008/09 seasons.
She leaves Spurs 13th in the table, just eight points above the relegation zone with just two wins from their last 11 games.
“This cannot be accepted by anyone at the club, we lose so many games in a league season, it's not fair,” Postecoglou said after the latest defeat.
“It's not good enough, especially the first half, we were too passive, we let Arsenal take control of the game. I'm very disappointed with the way we played with and without the ball, we let them dictate the pace of our second half it was a little better, but not enough.
“That's not who we are. It's not the way I've set the team up to play. To sit back and let Arsenal play just wasn't good enough.
“There is no magic cure. We have to work hard and go to battle on Sunday and turn our fortunes and our season around. There are always reasons why things happen but the reality is that our results and form in the league has not been that good that should change.
“We just didn't play close to the identity of what I want to be. We're an aggressive team with and without the ball – we showed that against Liverpool, but tonight we were too passive. That's not acceptable. The second half was a bit better, but it was not enough”.
Tottenham face relegation-threatened Everton next weekend before finishing January at home to a struggling Leicester City side. Brentford, Manchester United and Manchester City are all on the schedule for February.