In the wake of a dramatic Carabao Cup victory over Manchester United, Jamie Carragher has raised concerns about Tottenham Hotspur’s approach under Ange Postecoglou, claiming the players are too rigid in their style and lack the necessary game management to cope with changing situations.
It was a night that had all the hallmarks of a classic Carabao Cup encounter: end-to-end action, moments of brilliance, and a fair share of chaos.
Tottenham Hotspur emerged victorious with a 4-3 win over Manchester United, thanks to a thrilling display that saw Dominic Solanke bag a brace, alongside goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-min Son.
Despite the Lilywhites taking a commanding 3-0 lead, their defensive frailties nearly cost them dearly. Manchester United, though ultimately undone by errors of their own, capitalised on Tottenham’s lapses to stage a dramatic comeback.
Fraser Forster’s mistakes handed the Red Devils two easy goals after Altay Bayindir’s error gifted Tottenham their opener.
The win secured Tottenham a spot in the semi-finals, but it was their approach—particularly their failure to manage the game—that became a talking point yet again.
While fans celebrated Spurs’ semi-final berth, Jamie Carragher was not as impressed. Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event as relayed by BBC Sport, after the match, the former Liverpool defender criticised both the players and the manager for their tactical inflexibility, going as far as to label their style robotic.
Carragher said: “At that stage [just after Tottenham conceded] you do not pass the ball back to the goalkeeper and make him nervous.
“What we have created now is robots on the pitch. I was not a great player technically or physically, but I understood the game. Some of the things I saw tonight I would not have allowed to happen.
“The manager has told you to play a certain way but someone has to get a grip and say ‘no, we are changing for the next five or ten minutes’.
“It frustrates me when players cannot see how the game state changes and recognise they have to change their approach to suit it.”
Carragher’s critique raises important questions about Spurs’ identity under Ange Postecoglou.
While the Australian manager has revolutionised the club’s playing style, making it more attack-minded and entertaining, there remains a glaring issue with game management.
Tottenham’s unwillingness—or inability—to abandon their philosophy in moments of crisis nearly cost them a crucial match.
There is merit to Carragher’s argument, as game awareness is critical in knockout football, and Spurs’ defensive lapses could easily have derailed their Carabao Cup campaign.
However, it is also worth noting that errors from individuals, rather than the system itself, played a significant role in allowing Manchester United back into the game.
Postecoglou’s tactics delivered a commanding 3-0 lead, but lapses from Fraser Forster and others undid much of the good work.
Tottenham must address these issues quickly if they are to claim their first piece of silverware in years. A semi-final place represents a golden opportunity, but success will require not just brilliant football but also pragmatism and discipline in key moments.
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