Postecoglou takes blame for latest Tottenham loss, but retains faith

LIVERPOOL, England : Under-pressure manager Ange Postecoglou remained confident that he can turn around Tottenham Hotspur's season despite a demoralising 3-2 loss at struggling Everton on Sunday.

Postecoglou's injury-hit side crumbled in the first half at Goodison Park, conceding three goals, and a late rally failed to salvage what would have been a flattering point.

It was Tottenham's 12th defeat in the Premier League this season, only the sixth time Spurs have lost as many as 12 games from their first 22 matches and the first since 1997-98.

With Tottenham down in 15th place and closer to the relegation zone than the top half, Australian Postecoglou appears to be on increasingly thin ice with the club reportedly linked to several possible replacements.

He again lamented injuries after defeat at Everton, saying he only had 11 fit players to start the game after suffering another blow in the build-up with striker Dominic Solanke ruled out with an injury picked up in training.

Asked by Sky Sports whether his faith in his team was wavering, the 59-year-old said: "No it doesn't. If you look at the situation we're in, it will eventually dissipate. I certainly hope and believe it will.

"We'll give ourselves the opportunity to get consistency in performance and results. I certainly haven't lost belief or determination to turn it around and the players showed in the second half that they haven't either."

Tottenham have one only once in their last nine league games - against bottom club Southampton - and have lost seven in that period to slide down the table.

Speaking to reporters at Goodison Park, Postecoglou said he took responsibility for the latest defeat.

"It wasn't great the first half. I guess the majority of that is down to me. I