After finishing the 2023/24 Premier League campaign in fifth position, missing out on Champions League football by just two points after a late-season blip, Tottenham Hotspur were expected to push for a top-four this term under Ange Postecoglou.

After Spurs lost Sunday's reverse fixture 1-0 at Bournemouth in December, Postecoglou angrily clashed with fans in the away end and Spence - an unused substitute on the day - was the peacemaker, running over to raise a conciliatory hand to supporters and walking the head coach away.

There is ‘no future’ for Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham if they fail to beat AZ Alkmaar, believes ex-Arsenal star Perry Groves. On Thursday it’s do or die in Tottenham’s bid

Tottenham's Ange Postecoglou said his side did not have the right mindset for their Europa League round-of 16-defeat at AZ Alkmaar.

Ange Postecoglou got his midfield selection wrong against Bournemouth as he fielded Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr.

Tottenham face AZ Alkmaar in Europa League last 16 with first leg away on Thursday; ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie OHara: AZ Alkmaar is the biggest game of Ange Postecoglous career; Sky Sports Paul Merson:

This one wasn't the injuries, so you can check one item off Ange Postecoglou's possible reasons for Tottenham Hotspur poor start in a draw with Bournemouth in North London on Sunday.

Ange Postecoglou was pleased with Tottenham’s fight in a “chaotic” 2-2 Premier League home draw with Bournemouth, but acknowledged they must improve for Thursday’s crucial Europa League tie with AZ Alkmaar.