Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has firmly responded to fresh accusations of ‘Spursiness’ as he prepares his team for their clash against West Ham this Saturday. Despite still fuming over his side’s recent collapse away to Brighton, Postecoglou remains adamant that he can rid the club of its so-called soft centre.
Having spent the international break reflecting on the second-half meltdown that saw Spurs squander a 2-0 lead to Brighton, Postecoglou isn’t one to shy away from the challenge. He believes that if he cannot change Tottenham’s culture and their tendency to falter under pressure, the failure would rest solely on his shoulders.
“Failure Is on Me, Not the Club”
In addressing the infamous tag associated with Tottenham’s inability to win major trophies, Postecoglou took full responsibility for any potential shortcomings. Speaking candidly, he said:
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“If I accept that this is somehow impossible to change, I’m really stealing a living. I knew the club hadn’t won anything for years when I took the job, but I’m here to change that. If I can’t, the failure is on me.”
He also dismissed the comments made by his predecessor, Antonio Conte, who criticized the club’s ownership and accused players of not handling pressure. Postecoglou made it clear that if he had believed such issues were insurmountable, he wouldn’t have taken the managerial role. He stressed that history doesn’t dictate what the future holds for the club under his leadership.
Postecoglou’s Approach to Change
Postecoglou’s stance reflects his determination to shift Tottenham’s mentality. He believes that the club’s past struggles should not be seen as an excuse for continued underperformance. According to him, the ability to change Spurs’ fortunes lies entirely in his hands.
“The reason I think the past is irrelevant is because I wasn’t here. I can’t change it, but I do think success is achievable. That’s why I’m here, and it’s up to me to make that happen,” Postecoglou stated.
A Tough Talk with Players
The defeat to Brighton, where Tottenham lost control after leading 2-0 at half-time, has not only frustrated the Spurs manager but also prompted tough conversations within the squad. Postecoglou didn’t mince words when addressing his players, pointing out a conscious drop in their performance early in the second half. He revealed that the team’s running stats had declined significantly, by “20 to 30 percent”, immediately after the break.
Postecoglou made it clear that this kind of performance wasn’t acceptable, adding that he didn’t seek player feedback following the game. “I didn’t ask for their feedback, mate. It’s not up for debate,” he stated firmly.
Focus on the Upcoming Clash
As Tottenham prepares to face West Ham, Postecoglou will have key players Son Heung-min and Richarlison back from injury, hoping their return will boost the team. Despite the recent setback, the Spurs boss is determined to instill a winning mentality and move past the club’s old habits.
For Postecoglou, the solution lies not in dwelling on the past but in rewriting the club’s future, one game at a time.
