The booing inside the Tottenham Hotspur stadium was not loud but it was clearly audible. After a shaky start to the season, a third consecutive home defeat to Arsenal was hard for Spurs fans to take.
After the match, coach Ange Postecoglou pointed out that he always won the title in his second season. However, the Australian strategist is also aware of the current difficulties for the team. "I am not saying things that I do not believe. But the optimism of the fans is being tested."
Postecoglou argues, with some good reason, that Tottenham's performance in the first four games of the new season was worth more than four points. But Spurs were poor against Arsenal and even when they played well, their failure to take their chances was a problem.
Excluding the first 10 games of last season, when they won eight under Postecoglou, Spurs' form has been alarmingly poor, with just 44 points from their next 32 Premier League games.
Their points tally is ninth among Premier League clubs, sandwiched between Bournemouth and West Ham, for most of the calendar year, with them 14 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and 35 points behind leaders Manchester City.
In other words, this is the performance of a mid-table side rather than a team competing for a European spot. And worryingly, Tottenham are getting worse rather than better. Spurs have won just three of their last 11 Premier League games.
One of Postecoglou's main responsibilities when he arrived at the club last summer was to overhaul Tottenham's style of play. Under Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho, the "Roosters" were often lacking in mobility and slow, and after the Australian strategist arrived, that has changed somewhat.
Spurs have changed their style. They play higher up the pitch and press harder than any other Premier League side. They are also more focused on possession. When it all comes together, it seems Tottenham’s peak is not far away.
The problem is that matches where “Angeball” is running smoothly are becoming rare. Instead, an apparent reluctance to adopt Postecoglou’s approach has become a problem.
The Arsenal game was just one of many in which Tottenham have failed to capitalise on possession. Spurs have averaged over 60% possession in 10 of their last 13 Premier League games. But surprisingly, they have won just four of those games.
Tottenham’s opponents are looking to counter, sitting back and taking pressure while knowing that chances will come from set-pieces, a weakness that Postecoglou’s side paid for so many times last season.
"We know that set pieces are dangerous and can easily lead to goals. We defended well, but a moment of lack of concentration cost us.
"Once again we lost points from set pieces, we will have to learn from this defeat. We have to improve our game. We need to aim for the football we want," said Postecoglou.
Postecoglou is prioritising the long-term. He spoke of progress in his post-match press conference, although he admitted there was still room for improvement. But if Tottenham continue to perform as they have, it is doubtful Postecoglou will retain his job.
