'Has to be': Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer think they've spotted the real issue at Tottenham after Everton loss

Today at 02:43 AM

Tottenham slumped to their twelfth Premier League defeat of the season against Everton on Sunday afternoon, a 3-2 defeat which only added to concerns in north London.

Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham side were somehow 3-0 down at half-time to an Everton side who had only scored 15 goals in 20 league games previously this season.

Postecoglou had perhaps hoped that the introduction of Ben Davies could have helped his side defensively, but Spurs were arguably worse than ever in front of their own goal.

Things slightly improved in the second 45 minutes, but Jamie O'Hara thought Tottenham were shocking, and he was absolutely right.

Of course, the result and performance sparked the usual debate of whether Postecoglou is still the right man to lead this project forward in N17.

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer not sure Ange Postecoglou is Tottenham’s biggest problem

Speaking on 'The Rest Is Football' podcast, both Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer discussed the situation, concluding that it can't just be Postecoglou that is the issue at Spurs.

The duo mentioned all of the brilliant managers who have passed through the club in recent years, pointing to bigger issues above Postecoglou right now. 

READ MORE: What Richarlison was seen doing with Everton fans at full-time away from his Tottenham teammates

Shearer began: "What about if I said to you, Mourinho, Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo, and now Postecoglou, they’re not all bad managers, are they?"

Lineker replied: "Certainly not. Some of the very best."

Shearer: "So what does that tell you?"

Lineker: "Conte, look how well he’s doing now with Napoli. Great win for them."

Shearer: "Look how well he’s doing at Forest. What’s the problem?"

Lineker: "Well, maybe it’s, I mean, I think both Conte and Mourinho have both been quite damning of the way the football club is run.

"I mean, they’ve got a great football stadium and probably, well, definitely one of the best in Europe. They’ve got a wonderful training ground and that kind of thing that’s really good.

"But you’re right, they’ve been underperforming considering the managers that they’ve had in recent times.

"So you have to have a little look beyond perhaps just, it’s always the coach’s fault, isn’t it?"

Shearer: "It has to be deeper than that."

Lineker: "Yeah it has to be."

Ange Postecoglou still needs to improve things on the pitch

As mentioned, Spurs did hit a new low on Sunday, falling to 15th spot in the Premier League.

James Maddison understood why fans were unhappy, almost apologising to those who had made the trip to Merseyside.

Tottenham aren't quite in the relegation battle right now but Ipswich Town are only eight points behind in 18th.

Leicester City's trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next week now seems immensely important, an absolute must win for Spurs.

And perhaps it might be time for Postecoglou to turn to the likes of Richarlison and Mikey Moore to provide some fresh impetus.

Whilst there do seem to be bigger issues at the club as mentioned, Postecoglou can ultimately only affect matters on the pitch, where efforts also need to improve.