Charles Jackson
LONDON – Ange Postecoglou has warned that the foundations of the Tottenham team he is trying to build are “quite fragile” after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City saw them eliminated from the top four race.
Postecoglou did not elaborate on the specific concerns that have arisen for him over the past 48 hours, a period in which there has been much debate over whether Spurs and their fans might want to miss Tuesday’s game in order not to help the club’s title cause. their great rival Arsenal. The Australian stated, however, that his concerns were related to “outside, inside, everywhere” at the club.
Two goals from Erling Haaland in the second half secured City’s victory that means they are in control of their destiny on the final day of the season. If Tottenham had taken a point, Arsenal would have been ahead on the final day. Meanwhile, City’s victory sparked scenes of jubilation across the Midlands, while Aston Villa celebrated Champions League qualification. Despite losing talisman Harry Kane on the eve of the season, Spurs have increased their points total from last season and will secure promotion to the Europa League by avoiding defeat to Sheffield United on the final day.
Given that Tottenham also gave City some headaches in a dramatic encounter – particularly when Heung-min Son wasted an excellent opportunity to equalize in the 86th minute – there is a case to be made that the foundations are in place for a better second season under Postecoglou. When this suggestion was presented to him, however, his response was emphatic.
“I think the last 48 hours have revealed to me that the foundations are quite fragile, mate,” said the Tottenham manager. “That’s exactly what I think. I think the last 48 hours have revealed a lot to me. That’s okay. It just means I have to go back to the drawing board with some things.”
Asked if this was a reference to the Tottenham club or its fans, he added: “Outside, inside, everywhere.
“You guys can make your own assessments about what happened. I understand. I probably misread the situation as to what I consider important in their effort to become a winning team, but that’s okay. That’s why I’m here.”
In that 48 hour span, there has been a lot of debate among Tottenham fans about whether they would have the stomach to help Arsenal’s cause. Speaking before the match, Postecoglou made it clear he did not hold that view and videos on social media suggested he was also unimpressed with fans at the ground who wanted their side to defeat.
Certainly, there was a notably subdued atmosphere in north London, with the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium briefly awakening to anti-Arsenal chants from the off. Chances for Son, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski brought cheers from the home fans, but Haaland’s 51st-minute goal was soon followed by chants of: “Are you watching Arsenal?”
Postecoglou said: “I’m just not interested [in the Arsenal rivalry] friend. Maybe I’m out of step, but I don’t care, I just want to win. I want to be successful at this football club, that’s why I was hired.
“So what other people, how they want to feel and what their priorities are, is of no interest to me. I know what’s important to build a winning team, that’s what I need to focus on.
“Of course [affects the players when the crowd is subdued]. It is what it is. I can’t dictate what people do. They can express themselves however they want. But yes, when we have late winners in games it is because the fans helped us.”
