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Postecoglou concedes Spurs playing with 'anxiety and nervousness'
Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham Hotspurs' returning players will help the nervousness on show in their comeback draw with Bournemouth.
Ange Postecoglou conceded his side are playing with "anxiety and nervousness" despite coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth on Sunday.
Postecoglou watched on as Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson put Bournemouth ahead, with the Cherries seemingly on their way to a first top-flight win in two matches.
But Pape Sarr's fortuitous goal changed the balance of the tie, with Son Heung-min sealing a share of the spoils late on with a penalty after being fouled by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Indeed, Tottenham's comeback was the 26th different time that they have been two goals down in a Premier League match and came back to salvage at least a point (W9 D17).
Only Manchester United have done so on more occasions in the history of the competition (30), and Postecoglou lauded his players for the fighting spirit they showed.
"At 2-0 we had a bit of a mountain to climb," Postecoglou said. "It was a chaotic game today and the boys showed a real mentality.
"It would have been really easy at 2-0, with the atmosphere in the stadium, to let it slip away from us, but they fought hard and got themselves back in the game.
"There is definitely a sense of nervousness there. It is just anxiety and nervousness which we need to get under control.
"I don't preach from the altar. People are allowed to feel the way they do. Playing away at AZ [Alkmaar, on Thursday] they certainly helped their team, and we'd like to think on Thursday we will make it just as hostile for the opposition."
Spurs conceded an expected goals (xG) total of 2.74 in the game, even with Cristian Romero back in defence from the start and Micky van de Ven returning from the bench.
Romero made his first appearance since December, but endured a nervy few moments early on, almost gifting Bournemouth two early goals following slack pieces of play.
Van de Ven last appeared in January, while Dominic Solanke is also back in the mix, and Postecoglou is confident his team will improve having those three players back.
"We've been keen to get Romero back and his first pass shows he's not played for three months," Postecoglou said.
"I think Micky van de Ven, Dom and Romero are quality players, and we've hardly had them all year.
"It gives the team a bit of a boost to see them out there. It would have been a fairly deflating feeling had we not got back into it
"It gives us and the players some understanding that when we stay strong we can overcome whatever kind of struggle we have."
Andoni Iraola, meanwhile, said he was upset that his side had not won after being 2-0 up, though their impressive form on the road continued despite the draw.
Only Liverpool (35) and Arsenal (27) have picked up more points away from home than Bournemouth in the Premier League this season (23).
Iraola believes a run of one victory in five shows his side have lost the winning habit, which they must recover if they are to qualify for Europe next season.
"Considering how the game was going, it is not good enough for us to just get a point," Iraola said.
"We are playing well, creating chances and controlling games, but we have to find a way to win them. At the end of the season, every point is key, and today we feel we lost two very important points.
"We tested the keeper two times in the first five minutes, but we needed to capitalise.
"We had chances to score the third one and the fourth one, but we couldn't take our chances. We are disappointed.
"We have lost something in the last few games. We are performing well and having good moments, but we are not winning, and big teams find ways to win.
"I hope we don't play as well next time and find a way to win against Brentford."