Tottenham's Injury Crisis May Expose Media Bias
Tottenham Hotspur rode high into their recent Monday night clash with London rivals Chelsea but they left sunken and defeated. Long-term injuries suffered by Micky van de Ven and James Maddison opened everyone's eyes to a reality where Big Ange's men are in fact human; not robots.
The easiest hat trick one will ever witness from Blues forward Nicolas Jackson sealed Spurs' fate that night, and they have since suffered two more defeats in their next two games. In a season where Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has faced more than his fair share of scrutiny, the role of the media's agenda-setting may become quite telling in response to the sudden collapse in the form of Postecoglou's Tottenham.
James Maddison has been readily identified as Tottenham Hotspur's difference maker; the glue of the team that makes everything work. He's made for Ange-ball. And this is understandable and reasonable.
But what about Lisandro Martinez? Is he not the former Ajax centre-half best fitted for Erik ten Hag's style, the defender most compatible with Andre Onana's ability to comfortably possess the ball in one's own box?
Is Antony not the only winger in the squad who ten Hag himself bought? Does he not understand better than anyone what the manager wants out of his players?
Were Casemiro and Christian Eriksen not instrumental to the transformation of the midfield last season, fundamental pieces of the manager's instant success?
Were Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka not prerequisites along the back line that led United to the most clean sheets of any team in the Premier League last campaign?
Every player mentioned above - alongside Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, and marquee summer arrivals Rasmus Højlund and Mason Mount - has missed significant periods of time this season due to injury. Nevertheless, prominent pundits in the UK (the likes of Simon Jordan and Paul Merson, so note my reluctance to describe them in such a manner) have ruthlessly vocalized their disapproval of the job the United manager is doing.
The list of excuses often found for other managers never seems to be found when analyzing Erik ten Hag. Nevertheless, it should come as no surprise. When a manager begins a tenure - particularly in the Premier League - the English media tend to have their minds mostly made up already. Their treatment of that coach from that point forward is controlled by their premade perception of his ability.
Mauricio Pochettino faces less media pressure at Chelsea than Thomas Tuchel ever did. Jose Mourinho was everything wrong at Manchester United, and Ole Gunnar Solsjkær was the perfect saviour. It is a shame that it happens, but it's an ever-divided Manchester United fanbase that stands responsible for uniting against the treatment of the boss. If they don't, the cycle will repeat.
Much like United, Tottenham have ground out a number of one-goal victories against lowly opposition this season. This is a supposed travesty on ten Hag's part. Big Ange, on the other hand, likes to call you "mate" in his interviews. So on Tottenham's part, it is a marvellous accomplishment.
As Manchester United continue to add three points to the tally week in and week out, the noise will hopefully die down eventually. And one can only pray for the expert pundits if the Reds finish above Tottenham. There will be no saving face by way of the injury excuse.