“I’m So Angry!” – Dejan Kulusevski Slams Spurs After Nottingham Forest Defeat | OneFootball

Dejan Kulusevski’s Candid Criticism Highlights Deeper Issues at Tottenham Hotspur

There’s an uncomfortable truth lurking beneath Tottenham Hotspur’s campaign, and it took Dejan Kulusevski — rarely one to speak out — to lay it bare in no uncertain terms. After Spurs slumped to their 18th Premier League defeat of the season, this time against Nottingham Forest, the Swedish winger voiced what many fans have long feared: this side isn’t ready to compete on multiple fronts.

“It’s not good enough,” Kulusevski said bluntly following the 2-1 defeat. “We must respect every game and perform like it’s your last.” It was a withering assessment, but one that felt entirely justified given the pattern Spurs have fallen into — moments of brilliance followed swiftly by maddening collapses.

Postecoglou’s Vision Faces Reality Check

Ange Postecoglou arrived with a reputation for fearless, front-foot football. At times this season, Tottenham have indeed looked the part — fluid, dynamic, capable of overwhelming opponents. But what Kulusevski’s frustration reveals is a gap between ambition and execution. Against Forest, Spurs conceded early, again undone by balls into the box. “[We] must take responsibility,” Kulusevski demanded, highlighting the team’s repeated failure to defend crosses.

Photo IMAGO

Tottenham’s lack of depth and readiness for a demanding schedule has been ruthlessly exposed. “This year we cannot say that we’re prepared,” Kulusevski admitted, citing the club’s injury woes and lack of planning. “We did a lot of things wrong from the beginning of the season and we’re paying for it right now.”

It’s not just hindsight. The warning signs were there. A lack of rotation options, overreliance on key players, and no coherent contingency plan when injuries inevitably struck — all contributed to Spurs’ slide.

Consistency Still Eludes Spurs

Thursday night’s win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League quarter-final seemed a turning point. Instead, it served as yet another false dawn. “After big nights like Thursday, you always go down,” Kulusevski noted. That admission — that the squad lacks the mental and physical resilience to handle the grind — is damning.

Forest capitalised, with Elliot Anderson scoring via a deflection just five minutes in. Chris Wood added a second, and while Richarlison’s late goal briefly reignited hope, Spurs were never truly in control. It wasn’t just the loss — it was how familiar the collapse felt.

This inconsistency is fast becoming Tottenham’s hallmark, and for all Postecoglou’s tactical acumen, there’s only so much he can do if the squad can’t meet the demands of competing across Europe and domestically.

Photo: IMAGO

Path Forward Demands Clearer Strategy

Kulusevski’s comments weren’t just post-match frustration — they were a rallying cry for strategic clarity. “The top clubs… know exactly what they’re doing,” he pointed out. “They’re bringing in a lot of players that are ready to play both competitions.”

There’s a template here, and Spurs need only look at the elite sides to find it. Depth, planning, and mental steel are not optional for teams with European aspirations — they’re essential. Tottenham Hotspur cannot continue to rely on moments of magic or individual brilliance to mask structural shortcomings.

Ange Postecoglou’s tenure is still in its early stages, and there are undeniable positives. But Kulusevski’s comments strip back the gloss and expose the cracks that need urgent fixing. Whether through recruitment, tactical evolution, or sheer grit, Tottenham must evolve — or risk falling further behind.