Dejan Kulusevski has hinted that Tottenham Hotspur may need to reassess their approach in order to achieve greater consistency throughout the season. The Swedish winger’s comments come after a mixed run of results, where Spurs have shown flashes of brilliance but struggled to maintain momentum. Tottenham’s recent 6-3 defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League, despite Kulusevski scoring in the match, exemplifies the team’s inconsistency. This loss came after a high point in November, where Spurs triumphed 4-0 against Manchester City, showcasing their potential to compete with the best.
However, the defeat to Liverpool added to a disappointing run for Spurs, who have managed only one win in their last five league matches, with a victory over Southampton being their only positive result during this stretch. Kulusevski suggested that the team may need to adopt a more controlled approach, particularly in terms of managing the physical demands of the season and the impact of opponents’ rest periods. “If you want to get a result, maybe yeah,” he said when asked if adding more control to their game could help them achieve better consistency. He also emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes and adapting to different challenges in order to improve their overall performance.
Tottenham’s inconsistency has also been evident in other competitions. While they beat Manchester United 4-3 in an exciting EFL Cup tie, they have been held to draws in the Europa League by Rangers and Roma. The upcoming match against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day presents another opportunity for Spurs to bounce back, but it will not be an easy task, as Forest are in good form.
Under manager Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham has embraced a high-scoring, attacking style of play that has been entertaining but often leaves them exposed defensively. Spurs’ matches this season have averaged an impressive 3.6 goals per game, the highest rate of any manager with more than 50 Premier League matches. While this attacking brand of football has won praise for its excitement and boldness, it has also been a source of defensive vulnerabilities, with Tottenham often conceding goals in high-scoring encounters.
For Nottingham Forest, Anthony Elanga has been in form, scoring in his last two appearances following a long goal drought. Meanwhile, Tottenham's star player Son Heung-min has a strong record on Boxing Day, having contributed four goals and two assists in his previous Boxing Day appearances. The upcoming clash at the City Ground is expected to be closely contested, with Spurs historically dominating the fixture in recent years, winning their last three visits to Nottingham without conceding a goal. Forest, on the other hand, secured a Boxing Day victory over Newcastle last season but have not won consecutive top-flight games since the early '90s when they beat Spurs in back-to-back fixtures.
According to Opta's win probability model, Nottingham Forest holds a slight advantage in the upcoming match, with a 41.2% chance of winning, compared to Tottenham's 34.3%. The likelihood of a draw is pegged at 24.5%, which reflects the tight nature of the contest expected between the two sides. With both teams in need of a positive result, the match promises to be a highly competitive affair, with the outcome having significant implications for both clubs as they head into the New Year.
For Tottenham, a win would be crucial to restoring some confidence and maintaining their place in the upper reaches of the Premier League table. However, Kulusevski’s comments underline the need for a more measured, adaptable strategy going forward, one that could help Spurs weather the physical toll of a long season while ensuring that they are competitive at both ends of the pitch.
