What’s left for Tottenham? FA Cup exit leaves questions | OneFootball

Ange Postecoglou is running out of patience. He is running out of fit players too.

Tottenham Hotspur’s FA Cup exit at Aston Villa means another chance at silverware is gone. Days after their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool, Spurs are now staring at the same old questions.

What is left of this season? And how long can this slide continue before something gives?

Postecoglou bristled at criticism, calling it ‘agenda-driven’ and refusing to judge his players in these circumstances. He is right to defend them.

Eleven first-team players are unavailable. His squad is stretched beyond recognition. “Take them out of any team,” he said. “How did Liverpool go today?”

He was referring to their shock FA Cup loss at Plymouth Argyle. But Liverpool’s crisis lasted one game. Tottenham’s has dragged on since November.

There is no hiding from the numbers. Spurs have won just eight of their last 22 games in all competitions. They have slipped from seventh to 14th in the Premier League. Their season is at risk of fizzling out.

Postecoglou’s vision demands intensity – high pressing, quick transitions and relentless movement. But against Villa, they looked exhausted. “Because they’re tired, mate,” he added. “They can’t.”

That much was obvious. Villa sliced through them inside the first minute. Jacob Ramsey’s shot should have been saved, but Antonin Kinsky’s weak hands turned it into a gift.

Tottenham struggled to create, lacked conviction in key moments and conceded soft goals. Morgan Rogers made it 2-0 after a mix-up at the back. Mathys Tel’s late goal only offered false hope.

Spurs’ fans made their frustrations clear. The ‘Levy Out’ chants echoed through Villa Park.

Some of them will buy Postecoglou’s argument about injuries. Others will wonder why their club is once again limping towards the finish line.

There is still the Europa League, but even that feels like a long shot. Without reinforcements or a sudden return to form, it is difficult to see Spurs seriously challenging for anything.

Postecoglou insists things will turn around. “This group of players, once we get the rest of the group in, will be outstanding,” he said.

Maybe. But how long can Spurs keep stumbling before the season – and their momentum under Postecoglou – falls apart completely?