'For this manager': Tottenham told two of their players are actually 'liabilities' for Ange Postecoglou now

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After Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, debates are likely to stir about whether Spurs should persist with Ange Postecoglou at the helm or look to make a prompt change.

TBR Football understands Daniel Levy is still backing Ange Postecoglou, despite being trigger-happy when sacking previous managers such as Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte.

Postecoglou was gutted after Tottenham lost to Arsenal and felt a club of the Lilywhites’ stature cannot afford to be losing 11 out of their 21 Premier League games.

The Tottenham hierarchy will be in agreement with the former Celtic boss as they are truly having a nightmarish league campaign.

The manner in which Arsenal won should concern the Spurs dressing room as well — with Declan Rice pointing out Tottenham’s defensive frailities during his post-match interview.

Despite Ange Postecoglou’s tactical decisions often called under question throughout his time in the Premier League, he took the bold decision of playing with no natural holding midfielder in the second half.

Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr criticised after Arsenal vs Tottenham

Postecoglou substituted both Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr and brought on James Maddison and Brennan Johnson. Lucas Bergvall, who was hailed by Rice was deployed in an unfamiliar role as a number six at the Emirates Stadium.

Craig Burley felt Ange Postecoglou had no choice but to take both Bissouma and Sarr off against Arsenal, who he feels have become “liabilities” for the Tottenham boss.

The former Brighton technician carelessly losing the ball in the build-up to Leandro Trossard’s goal and the 22-year-old having picked up a needless yellow card for kicking the ball away to delay the restart after a free-kick was awarded.

The pundit said via ESPN FC: “He takes off [Pape Matar] Sarr and [Yves] Bissouma who have fast become liabilities for this manager and this club. Bissouma with his performances and his discipline and Sarr with his discipline and his indiscipline, got a booking for, I think kicking the ball away and he’s always prone to a challenge, a rash challenge.”

“As soon as he got booked for that, I said to you guys, he’ll put his foot somewhere and that kind of forced the manager to taking them two off.”

Craig Burley concluded: “He takes them off because Bissouma’s having one basically and Sarr’s probably not going to see the game out. I’ve seen them make rash challenges before, he’s on a stupid yellow for kicking the ball away and he’s a guy who dives into challenges.”

Tottenham could sell Bissouma, as they have been linked with a move for Quinten Timber.

Ange Postecoglou rates Sarr highly and it is important to remember that his powerful run ultimately led to Spurs winning the corner that ultimately led to Heung-min Son’s opening goal.

Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr stats in Arsenal vs Tottenham

The midfield pair would have been disappointed after Ange Postecoglou decided to hook them off at half-time.

However, the statistics make for grim reading for both Sarr and Bissouma, starting with the former.

The fact that Sarr lost seven out of his eight duels while being dispossessed twice despite only having 15 touches of the ball might justify why Postecoglou felt it was time for him to come off the pitch.

Sarr has impressed at Tottenham for the most part but in a North London Derby, standards have to be raised by every player on the pitch.

As for Bissouma, it remains alarming that such an experienced player could be as unconcentrated as he was in the lead-up to Trossard’s strike — as the statistics suggest how disappointing the Malian was.

Like Sarr, Bissouma has been praised at Spurs too but unless he steps up his game, it would be no surprise if either one of Bergvall or Archie Gray usurp him as Ange Postecoglou’s go-to number six.

As for the former, he too will need to up his game as things look far from rosy for Spurs.