Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has admitted that he will "never understand" Spurs fans wishing defeat on their own side against Manchester City on Tuesday night.
Over the past 24 hours, social media has been awash with Lilywhites supporters rooting for the reigning champions to beat Tottenham in Tuesday's Premier League match, in order to dent the title hopes of their bitter foes Arsenal.
The Gunners' 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday leaves them one point clear of Pep Guardiola's side at the top of the standings, but Man City have a game in hand and are therefore still in control of the title race.
As a result, should Guardiola's side get the better of Tottenham on Tuesday, they will guarantee a fourth straight title by also beating West Ham United this weekend, but a draw or Spurs win will see Arsenal handed the initiative ahead of the final day.
As far as Tottenham are concerned, their Champions League chances will still be alive if Aston Villa fail to beat Liverpool on Monday, but many have expressed a preference for their side to lose on Tuesday and settle for Europa League football if it means Arsenal are unlikely to win the title.
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Postecoglou: 'If social media is your world, you need counselling'
Asked about Tottenham fans wanting their own team to lose in his pre-game press conference, Postecoglou issued a typically strong response, claiming that the majority of Spurs fans will still be hoping for victory on Tuesday and insisting that those caught up in the social media swirl need help.
"If you're going by social media then 99% of them will [want Spurs to lose] but please don't tell me that's your world. If it is you need counselling," football.london quotes Postecoglou as saying.
"I understand rivalry but I'll never understand anyone wanting their own team to lose. People are allowed to feel way they do but I've been consistent and strong in my belief that it's important for this club to get to where we want to, not look for a silver bullet.
"It's hard work, perseverance, quality not false dawns and know what real success looks like. Anything in between, bragging rights, are meaningless to me. We've got a game tomorrow we want to win.
"You think the majority of our fans don't want us to win? I don't see it that way, I think the fans inside the stadium will create the same atmosphere they always do."
Man City yet to win PL game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
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Despite Postecoglou's affirmations, it will only be too fascinating to see how Spurs fans react if a goal goes in at either end of the field on Tuesday, but Lilywhites fans pining for their beloved side to lose will not be reassured by this head-to-head statistic.
Since Spurs moved to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Lilywhites have won all four Premier League home games against Man City, who succumbed to a 1-0 defeat in February 2023 thanks to the goal that made Harry Kane the club's all-time record scorer.
On the first weekend of the 2021-22 season under Nuno Espirito Santo, Tottenham overcame the Citizens by the same scoreline courtesy of a Son Heung-min effort, and the South Korean was also on target alongside Giovani Lo Celso in a 2-0 success in November 2020.
The maiden meeting at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in February 2020 also ended 2-0 to Spurs, but Man City did lift that hoodoo in the FA Cup earlier this year, when Nathan Ake's late goal proved the difference.
However, as admirable as Tottenham's winning home run is against Man City, many Spurs fans will ostensibly not be losing sleep over their record ending on Tuesday, even if it means kissing goodbye to their Champions League hopes for another year.
Ben Knapton
