More stories

  • in

    ‘It’s not fair’ – League One manager bites back at Wrexham and says success down to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

    WREXHAM have been told their success is only down to “billionaire owners” Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.Shrewsbury boss Gareth Ainsworth bit back at the Red Dragons, calling their financial advantage “not fair”.Wrexham have been told their success is only down to owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenneyShrewsbury boss Gareth Ainsworth bit back at the Red Dragons, calling their financial advantage ‘not fair’Wrexham have enjoyed a meteoric rise up the EFL since Hollywood stars Reynolds and McElhenney purchased the club for around £2m in 2021.The Red Dragons are on course for an astonishing third successive promotion after clambering out of the National League, through League Two and towards the Championship.Their American co-owners have helped to make all of that possible, with nearly £6.2m spent on transfer fees since the summer of 2021.Wrexham splashed more than £4m in the January window, including £1m on proven ex-Reading striker Sam Smith, 26, who is a product of Manchester United’s academy.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut Ainsworth – who is against the National League’s three up, three down proposal – has taken issue with the Welsh outfit after becoming frustrated at being unable to compete on a level playing field.He told BBC 5 Live Sport: “If a team just can’t keep up financially for no other reason than the other teams have got billionaires coming in and millionaires, it’s not fair that they just sink out of the league and out of obscurity. It then all becomes all about money.“Wrexham have only done that because of the money they’ve had, you know. “And of course they’re competing well but they’ve had billionaire owners and it’s not fair. I don’t think that it should just be about that.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“And I’m speaking as an advocate from a club with a local businessman who’s put his money in and he just can’t compete with Wrexham because we’re not bringing American billionaires in. “So my argument would be, yes, these teams have done well, but have a look at the money that they’ve had invested in them as well.”Danny Devito celebrates Wrexham’s last-gasp win over Barnsley as he watches from virtual stadium in LATo clarify, actor Reynolds is an estimated net worth of £280m, while McElhenney is worth around £40m.Shrewsbury sit second bottom of League One but one of their six wins of the season came in a 2-1 victory against Phil Parkinson’s side in January.Smith’s deal marked the third time Wrexham had broken their own transfer record in six months – first signing Ollie Rathbone and then Modou Faal in a £590,000 deal last summer.Wrexham are fighting for promotion alongside League One’s biggest spenders Birmingham City, who count NFL legend Tom Brady as a minority investor.All 72 clubs in the National League have signed a letter to EFL chiefs asking them to back a vote of member clubs over changing to a three-up, three-down system between League Two and the fifth tier.National League clubs argue that the current system, where only one club gets automatic promotion to the EFL with a second place available through the play-offs, is inconsistent with the rest of the pyramid.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

  • in

    How Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou abandoned principles in Anfield rout as Mathys Tel plays in baffling position

    JAMIE REDKNAPP put it best: “I cannot remember a team in my lifetime go down with less of a fight than Spurs did today.”Yes indeed, Tottenham were brutally dismembered by a rampant Liverpool in Thursday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final humiliation.Tottenham looked lost, clueless and hopeless against LiverpoolCredit: GettyAnge Postecoglou endured arguably the worst night of his career with his confused tactics absolutely taken advantage of by a brutal Reds teamCredit: GettyLiverpool had plenty to celebrate on Thursday… Tottenham, not a thingCredit: PAHolding a shock 1-0 lead from the first leg, Spurs were never truly in the tie at Anfield.And when Cody Gakpo poked home the Reds’ opener to level the scoreline on aggregate, everyone just seemed to know the writing was on the wall.Mohamed Salah converted a penalty early in the second half to take the aggregate lead, before Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk made it 4-0 to shovel salt in Spurs’ seeping wound.Liverpool were at their scintillating best: winning the ball back on the high press, pinging pinpoint passes and breaking with terrifying pace. They made Spurs look non-league at times.READ MORE SPORT STORIESArne Slot inherited a squad many believed would struggle to crack the top-four.Yet the Reds won the 36-team Champions League group, are six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand, are into the Carabao Cup final and are preparing for their FA Cup fourth round tie with Plymouth.But for as good as Liverpool were on the night, my goodness Tottenham allowed them to look like 2010-11 Barcelona with a dash of heavy metal Gegenpress.In fact, Spurs looked like a team with no tactics, no structure, no clue…Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhen Ange Postecoglou took over at Tottenham, he was quick to implement his own style and did enjoy initial success.The Australian boss had a plan and wouldn’t turn his back on that for instant success.However, against Liverpool at Anfield, Spurs were all over the place – quite literally.Ange lined up his XI in his usual 4-3-3, with a decent amount of width with two full backs and two wingers.Despite that, the average positions of all 11 players were desperately central.Tottenham played bizarrely narrow with just one player averaging in Liverpool’s halfSon Heung-min was the widest player on the night – averaging just left of the centre-circle.But ‘full-backs’ Djed Spence and Archie Gray ended up playing bafflingly central.That was, in part, caused by Spence playing – as Redknapp put it – “14 different positions” on the night.But Gray is a central midfielder played constantly out of position due to injuries. Credit to the 18 year old for his adaptability, versatility… and general ability!Son was also the player who ventured the furthest forward… averaging a fraction over the halfway line.Liverpool, of course, don’t allow teams time to breathe and are rarely out-possessed, while their counter-attacking speed and prowess can lead to some lack of shape.But the average position map makes for embarrassing reading.And then there’s the Mathys Tel problem…Where was centre forward Mathys Tel playing? Left-wing-back? Right wing? Certainly not strikerThe stats make for grim reading for Tottenham fansThe January loan signing from Bayern Munich, 19, hasn’t scored a single goal this season.Yet the striker was in demand, with Spurs battling the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal for his signing.Spurs fans worried about paying £10MILLION for a three-and-a-half-month loan deal, but Postecoglou adamantly claimed the French teenager was going to be at the club for years to come.Tel climbed off the bench late in the first half following an injury – yes another Spurs injury – to Richarlison.Tel was expected to lead the line, as the Brazilian had done, centrally.Tel took just one touch in the Liverpool box – from a fairly innocuous positionAnd yet, according to his heat map and touch map, spent the majority of the night in the left-wing-back position… and a small chunk on the right wing.In all, Tel – the centre-forward Ange so desperately wanted – had just ONE touch of the ball in the box, in a not-so-dangerous position wide on the right and barely made it into the centre of the pitch.Again, Liverpool’s stellar play led to some backs-against-the-wall stuff from Tottenham – as proved by their “inexcusable” effort of ZERO shots on target.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut chasing the game, with a cup final on the line, after nearly three decades without a trophy, with millions of people watching…To just seemingly give up? It’s inexcusable… and it will surely lead to a major debrief in North London in the coming days.Tottenham’s top 10 biggest signings: Hit or miss?1) Tanguy Ndombele – £52.7mNdombele joined from Lyon in 2019 with huge expectations after shattering Tottenham’s transfer record.But he would go on to play just 91 times for the club, scoring 10 goals and is now set to leave one year before the end of his contract.2) Richarlison – £49.3mRicharlison almost broke the £50m mark when he arrived from Everton in 2022 as Harry Kane’s back-up.And while his tally of 12 goals this season was a significant increase on the three from his opening Spurs campaign, he is being linked with a departure this summer.3) Brennan Johnson – £46.8mJohnson was signed by Ange Postecoglou last summer and has impressed in patches during his first season in North London.He scored five goals and 10 assists in 38 games and will look to build on that in the 2024/25 campaign.4) Cristian Romero – £44.2mRomero initially joined on loan from Atalanta in 2021, before his impressive displays saw him secure a permanent deal the following year.He is two games shy of 100 for Spurs and, while he can be reckless with his tackling at times, is beginning to form a promising partnership with Micky van de Ven.5) James Maddison – £39.4mMaddison was handed Kane’s No10 shirt after arriving at Spurs and hit the ground running with three goals and five assists in his opening 11 matches.But after getting injured against Chelsea in October, he failed to return with the same sharpness – managing just five goal contributions in 15 league matches as he missed out on England’s final 26-man squad for the Euros.6) Davinson Sanchez – £35.7mSanchez joined Spurs from Ajax in 2017 and played more than 200 games across a six-year spell.But he was always considered a somewhat erratic defender who did not play more than 20 games in a Premier League season from 2020 onwards.7) Pedro Porro – £34mPorro was another signing who originally arrived on loan in January 2023, before he signed permanently last summer.He has 54 appearances for Spurs under his belt, scoring seven goals and impressing under Postecoglou this season.8) Micky van de Ven – £34mRapid Dutch centre-back Van de Ven was named Spurs Player of the Season in his first campaign at the club.His pace, athleticism, and technical ability on the ball have made him arguably Postecoglou’s best signing to date.9) Moussa Sissoko – £29.8mSissoko came to North London for a substantial fee after being relegated with Newcastle and went on to enjoy five years at Tottenham, playing more than 200 games.Unfortunately for the French midfielder, he is best-known for giving away a controversial penalty for handball in the first minute of Spurs’ 2-0 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019.10) Giovani Lo Celso – £27.2mLo Celso joined on loan from Real Betis in 2019 – a deal that was made permanent the following season.He has 10 goals and eight assists in 108 games, with some Spurs fans still unsure about the Argentine. More

  • in

    Major European football final ‘under threat’ with city ‘not willing to pay a single penny towards hosting it’

    THE Mayor of Munich has thrown a curveball to Uefa bosses – after claiming the city won’t pay to host the Nations League finals.Germany will host the Final Four stage of the tournament should they beat Italy in their quarter-final next month.This year’s Nations League final is set for June 8Credit: GettyShould Germany reach the Final Four, bosses hoped to stage it at Munich’s Allianz ArenaCredit: GettyMunich Mayor Dieter Reiter claims the city won’t pay a ‘single euro’ towards hostingCredit: GettyDieter Reiter addressed the “Nations League thingy” during a council meeting in Bavaria on Wednesday. The mini-tournament will be held between June 4-8, just a week after Munich’s Allianz Arena is due to host the Champions League final.Germany’s FA and Uefa are keen to stage Nations League games in both Munich and Stuttgart, should the Germans see off Italy.Reiter claims he was contacted over the matter by Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe mayor argued he could see the “pragmatic reasons” behind hosting the games in Munich, per BILD. But Reiter hit back at suggestions the city would provide a fan park or pay for logistics. He said: “We have nothing against you playing here, but we will not spend a single euro on it.”We will not be able to organise a fan festival and everything that goes with it, logistically speaking.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSReiter has put off making a final decision until a council meeting next month. Should Italy beat Germany in the quarter-finals, the Azzurri will advance to the Final Four and host the mini-tournament in Turin.First look inside the Scotland dressing room for Euro 2024 opener against Germany as Sunsport granted VIP stadium accessThe Nations League was launched in 2018 and was designed to promote more competitive international football outside of summer tournaments. Spain are the current holders, with France and Portugal also lifting the trophy. This year’s competition resumes on Thursday, March 20 with the first legs of the play-offs.Holland vs Spain, Croatia vs France and Denmark vs Portugal complete the quarter final ties.The second legs will be played on Sunday, March 23. More

  • in

    Compete against other Dream Team users for cash with Plucky – Score Predictor and Last Man Standing Paid Leagues

    WANT to compete in Paid Leagues when playing Score Predictor or Last Man Standing?Thanks to Plucky, you can do just that for the remainder of the season.Feeling lucky?Credit: Dream Team/PluckyWhat is Plucky? Plucky allows you to bet against other Dream Team users when playing Score Predictor or Last Man Standing, allowing you to win more than just bragging rights.Plucky is not a game provider but a trusted third-party that provides a regulated and licenced platform, which ensures all users can play for money in a safe and secure way. Please be aware that a small cut of the pot goes to Plucky for the service provided.How to enter Paid Leagues with PluckyIn order to participate in a Paid League, you must first register an account with Plucky.Users can enter public Paid Leagues for Score Predictor and Last Man Standing as determined by the availability on Dream Team’s website/app.Plucky pays out prizes to the winners when results are confirmed.Please note private Paid Leagues are not currently available for Last Man Standing but will be launched soon.Score Predictor Paid LeaguesOnly Chairmen can turn their Score Predictor Mini Leagues into Paid Leagues through Plucky. The Chairman is deemed the ‘initiator’ and will have the choice to set up their Paid League as ‘winner takes all’ or one which has prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.The initiator will also choose the stake to be paid per user (between £5 and £50) and the relevant Matchweek.The initiator should then invite the other members of their Mini League to join.At the end of the scoring period, Plucky will credit the winning prize amounts to the relevant users’ account to be withdrawn.Full terms and conditions apply. 18+Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk More

  • in

    Barcelona dressing room ‘left unimpressed at Marcus Rashford pursuit with three key stars opposing transfer’

    BARCELONA’S pursuit of Marcus Rashford has reportedly sparked revolt in the Nou Camp dressing room.The Spanish giants spent the January transfer window weighing up a swoop for the Manchester United outcast.Marcus Rashford’s negotiations with Barcelona caused unrestCredit: RexThree Barcelona stars made a stand and spoke out about the possible transferCredit: AlamyA sensational loan deal was potentially on the cards – with the player himself said to be keen.However, Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages proved a stumbling block – especially as United wanted Barca to cover 70 per cent.The forward ended up joining Aston Villa until the end of the season – with the option of a £40million permanent summer move. But now Catalunya Radio via Sport in Spain claim even the talks over signing Rashford led to unrest among the existing players.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSAnd three key stars allegedly spoke out against the transfer.It is stated Barcelona needed to let both Ansu Fati and Andreas Christensen leave in January to free up the necessary wages to make a Rashford deal financially viable.However, both men are said to have flat-out refused to exit. And pals Pedri, Gavi and Ronald Araujo all reportedly stood up to the club to make their feelings known. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe trio are three of Hansi Flick’s most important players in a team going strong in LaLiga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.And all three signed new contracts in the last few days of the transfer window.Marcus Rashford says joining Aston Villa from Man Utd was an easy decisionSo it seems the trio used their bargaining power to voice their concerns as they agreed their long-term futures to Barcelona, who are currently playing home matches at the Olympic Stadium while the Nou Camp is renovated. The report suggests Pedri, Gavi and Araujo did not believe signing Rashford was a suitable option given the players already in the team, the club’s ethos with its homegrown talent and the cost of the deal – which would see them force out two members of the squad.And it appears Deco and the Barca hierarchy listened to their players as they backed out of the deal.The likes of Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and AC Milan were also linked with Rashford over the course of the January transfer window.But Rashford said it was an “easy” decision to join Villa, where he will play Champions League football again. And he is keen to make an early impression on his new boss Unai Emery.Rashford insisted on training on his first day off and has already started looking at accommodation in the West Midlands as he refuses to commute from Manchester. READ MORE SUN STORIESVilla insiders say the man who left Old Trafford under a cloud has got the bit firmly between his teeth and is ready to kickstart his career under Emery.Rashford – who has taken Jhon Duran’s old No9 shirt – could make his debut for Villa in the FA Cup at home to Tottenham on Sunday. Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the seasonCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Arsenal lining up ‘unprecedented’ summer spending spree with Alexander Isak top target and lengthy shortlist

    ARSENAL are gearing up for an unprecedented summer spending spree after signing ZERO players in January.And Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is the name at the top of Mikel Arteta’s lengthy wanted list.Alexander Isak is understood to be Arsenal’s top targetArsenal fans aren’t exactly happy that the club failed to bring in reinforcements last month – Arteta expressed his disappointment too before taking his team out to Dubai for some TLC.Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final exit to Newcastle will serve only to strengthen the fans’ view that the window was a huge letdown.Fans and pundits alike have been belting: “Arsenal need a striker!” for some time now.Injuries to star boy Bukayo Saka (hamstring), goalscorer Gabriel Jesus (knee) and now seemingly Gabriel Martinelli have only compounded that assertion. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe Gunners have just one fit centre-forward in ex-Chelsea man Kai Havertz, 25, having decided to stick with what they have instead of bringing in a body to bolster the team.Arsenal did try to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa but had a £45m bid rejected after the Villans sold Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr for £70m.With all that said, Arteta’s quiet January should result in a summer of hefty spending.The foundations are in place but there is an understanding the next window is “critical” to firing the club towards trophies, reports The Mail.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSArsenal are at risk of finishing second best in the Prem for the third successive year after Liverpool’s incredible season replaced the dominance of Manchester City.But the Gunners also have their eyes on winning the Champions League for the first time in their history.Mikel Arteta looks ahead to Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle in Carabao Cup semi-final second leg Achieving that goal requires investment. Having kept their purses closed in January, there will be a spending spree before next season.But the big money will be spent on a new dream ticket centre forward – ideally 25-year-old Isak.The Swede has scored 59 goals in 94 games for Newcastle since joining the Toon for a club record from Real Sociedad in 2022.Yet before Isak’s move to St James’ Park was made final, Arsenal had been chasing the striker too.But his £75million release clause was deemed a risk at the time for the then 22-year-old star.Arteta insisted the Gunners’ lack of transfer activity was NOT a “gamble” in January as the club will splash the cash in few months.Martin Zubimendi, who has a £52million release clause, looks certain to arrive from Real Sociedad in the summer.Arsenal are preparing for the expected midfield departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey, who are both out of contract in June.They will likely go all out for Red Bull Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, 21, who is valued at £60m, after registering their interest during the last two windows.Arsenal will likely go all out for Red Bull Leipzig striker Benjamin SeskoCredit: RexThe North London club will explore a move for a versatile right winger too, with Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams on the list.Meanwhile, Wolves forward Matheus Cunha was linked with a move to the Emirates in the summer.Cunha surprisingly signed a new four-and-a half-year deal to stay at Molineux on February 1 – but it does include a £62.5million release clause.Potential moves for Mathys Tel – who has since joined rivals Tottenham – and AC Milan striker Alvaro Morata were also discussed.The role of interim sporting director Jason Ayto was an intriguing backdrop to Arsenal’s January activity.READ MORE SUN STORIESAyto is effectively sitting an on-the-job interview for the permanent position after Edu’s shock departure towards the end of 2024.While fans are furious, Ayto’s considered approach is one that’s aligned with the club’s long-term strategy.Midfielder Martin Zubimendi looks set to join in the summer too More

  • in

    Michail Antonio begins next stage of rehab after West Ham star broke his leg in terrifying car crash

    MICHAIL ANTONIO is jetting out to Dubai today to step up his rehab following his shocking car crash in December.The West Ham striker, 34, required surgery on a broken leg after a the smash in his £260,000 Ferrari which saw him airlifted to hospital.Michail Antonio is set to begin the next phase of his rehab following surgery on a broken leg in DubaiCredit: Instagram @michailantonioMichail Antonio crashed his Ferrari into a tree in a horror smash before CristmasCredit: Steve BellAntonio was discharged before Christmas and former Hammers manager, Julen Lopetegui, said he expected him to be able to play in the Premier League again.The Jamaica international has visited the club’s Rush Green training ground on a few occasions since new boss Graham Potter took charge.And now he is moving onto the next stage of his recovery, with nearly a fortnight at a training facility in Dubai.Antonio flies out today and will return to London on February 20.READ MORE SPORT STORIESThe striker is currently out of contract at the end of the season, though the club are weighing up whether or not to extend his deal in order to cover the full recovery.A decision on all new contracts, with Vladimir Coufal’s deal also up in the summer, will be made towards the end of the season.Fellow stricken striker, Niclas Fullkrug, has also been working in Dubai in order to aid his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered in Potter’s first game in charge.The Hammers are struggling with injuries across the pitch, which has not aided Potter’s start to his new job.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCaptain Jarrod Bowen returned from injury in the defeat to Chelsea this week.But Crycensio Summerville, Lucas Paqueta, Edson Alvarez and Jean-Clair Todibo were all absent as well as Fullkrug and Antonio.West Ham star Michail Antonio injured in horror crash in Ferrari as club reveals he’s ‘stable’ in hospitalMichail Antonio’s incredible riseBy Jon BoonThe outpouring of love from the football community for Michael Antonio has been massive, with the striker recognised as a big character in the game.The Wandsworth-born forward started from humble beginnings – playing for non-league Tooting & Mitcham United.After impressing in 2008, he was offered a trial at Reading – some five divisions up – and Alan Pardew duly snapped him up.However, he later revealed he got kicked out by Tooting, after he refused to sign a contract.Antonio said: “They kicked me out because I refused to sign a contract.“I was like: ‘If someone comes in for me I don’t want to be tied down. I want to be able to go and not you out price me’.”Following spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, in 2015 he was plucked from the Championship in a £7million deal by West Ham.He’s been there ever since, winning a player of the year award, twice being named Premier League player of the month and lifting a European trophy.Away from football, Antonio has bravely opened up about his mental health struggles in recent times.The Jamaica international was recently asked by Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast what he would like to do when he retires from the game.He revealed: “I want to go into entertainment.”So more on the basis of A League of Their Own, Play to the Whistle…”Read more about Michail Antonio’s incredible rise and life away from the game. More

  • in

    ‘Horrendous’ – Jamie Carragher reveals moment Postecoglou’s Tottenham reign changed and they’ve been ‘awful’ ever since

    JAMIE CARRAGHER has pinpointed the moment Ange Postecoglou’s entire Tottenham reign changed for the worse – and reckons Chelsea are to blame.Spurs were marmalised by rampant Liverpool in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, losing 4-0 on the night having won the first leg 1-0.Jamie Carragher has pinpointed the moment Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs reign began to sourCredit: ReutersTottenham were battered 4-0 by Liverpool to crash out of yet another cup competitionCredit: ReutersJamie Carragher believes Chelsea have played a role in Tottenham’s recent demiseCredit: RexCody Gakpo levelled the tie in the first half before Mohamed Salah gave the Reds an aggregate lead.Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk both netted late goals to smear salt in Spurs’ immense wound.The result compounded what has been a miserable season for Tottenham – who sit 14th in the Premier League.And former Reds ace Carragher reckons he’s pinpointed the moment Postecoglou’s fortunes changed – the 4-1 defeat at home to London rivals Chelsea in November 2023.READ MORE SPORT NEWSSpeaking on Sky Sports after the game, Carragher said: “They’ve lost 20 in their last 45 games, since. That’s an awful lot.”Going back to that Chelsea game at home from last season, since then their record is horrendous.”It’s not just a case of injuries right now, which I do sympathise with and playing 18 year old…”I’d like to see him given till the end of the season, but I think we’ve got to be careful talking about the injuries of the last two, three months.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”This form has been a problem since last season.”And former Liverpool star Carragher was hardly surprised by the Anfield demolition job, adding: “It’s Tottenham!Inside Tottenham’s horror performance as season worst stats expose disasterclass from Ange Postecoglou’s flops“When do Tottenham ever win a big game? When do Tottenham ever go and surprise, win against the odds?”The odds were massively in favour against Liverpool, they’re at Anfield, they’re the best team in the country, possibly the best team in Europe right now.”But it’s not just this Spurs team. They never shock you, never do something out of the ordinary.”But Carragher wasn’t the only Sky Sports pundit to tear into Spurs.Jamie Redknapp said: ” It was fun watching Tottenham for a while.”But there’s the old saying: ‘When the fun stops, stop.'”Redknapp – appearing to place the blame on boss Postecoglou – continued: “I cannot remember a team in my lifetime go down with less of a fight with what Spurs did today.”Not having one shot on target in the semi-final of a second leg when you’re trying to change the course of your history?”I feel sorry for those players… there’s been some lows – Palace, Ipswich and Everton this season.”But when you look at that today, the scoreline? Just horrendous.”Another former Spurs ace, Michael Dawson, was equally critical, ranting: “That was a low, low night for Spurs.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It was always going to be backs against the wall but they didn’t show any character in possession, out of possession and they didn’t show any desire to keep the ball out of the back of the net.”To come here and get beat 4-0 without any fight and without a shot on target, it’s a damaging performance.”Tottenham’s top 10 biggest signings: Hit or miss?1) Tanguy Ndombele – £52.7mNdombele joined from Lyon in 2019 with huge expectations after shattering Tottenham’s transfer record.But he would go on to play just 91 times for the club, scoring 10 goals and is now set to leave one year before the end of his contract.2) Richarlison – £49.3mRicharlison almost broke the £50m mark when he arrived from Everton in 2022 as Harry Kane’s back-up.And while his tally of 12 goals this season was a significant increase on the three from his opening Spurs campaign, he is being linked with a departure this summer.3) Brennan Johnson – £46.8mJohnson was signed by Ange Postecoglou last summer and has impressed in patches during his first season in North London.He scored five goals and 10 assists in 38 games and will look to build on that in the 2024/25 campaign.4) Cristian Romero – £44.2mRomero initially joined on loan from Atalanta in 2021, before his impressive displays saw him secure a permanent deal the following year.He is two games shy of 100 for Spurs and, while he can be reckless with his tackling at times, is beginning to form a promising partnership with Micky van de Ven.5) James Maddison – £39.4mMaddison was handed Kane’s No10 shirt after arriving at Spurs and hit the ground running with three goals and five assists in his opening 11 matches.But after getting injured against Chelsea in October, he failed to return with the same sharpness – managing just five goal contributions in 15 league matches as he missed out on England’s final 26-man squad for the Euros.6) Davinson Sanchez – £35.7mSanchez joined Spurs from Ajax in 2017 and played more than 200 games across a six-year spell.But he was always considered a somewhat erratic defender who did not play more than 20 games in a Premier League season from 2020 onwards.7) Pedro Porro – £34mPorro was another signing who originally arrived on loan in January 2023, before he signed permanently last summer.He has 54 appearances for Spurs under his belt, scoring seven goals and impressing under Postecoglou this season.8) Micky van de Ven – £34mRapid Dutch centre-back Van de Ven was named Spurs Player of the Season in his first campaign at the club.His pace, athleticism, and technical ability on the ball have made him arguably Postecoglou’s best signing to date.9) Moussa Sissoko – £29.8mSissoko came to North London for a substantial fee after being relegated with Newcastle and went on to enjoy five years at Tottenham, playing more than 200 games.Unfortunately for the French midfielder, he is best-known for giving away a controversial penalty for handball in the first minute of Spurs’ 2-0 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019.10) Giovani Lo Celso – £27.2mLo Celso joined on loan from Real Betis in 2019 – a deal that was made permanent the following season.He has 10 goals and eight assists in 108 games, with some Spurs fans still unsure about the Argentine. More