Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has said he “cannot flip a switch and change” his style after boos were heard at full time in his side’s 6-3 home defeat by Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
Despite scoring two goals more than any other team in the top flight, Spurs are 11th in the table and eight points shy of fourth place, having taking one point from their last four home league games.
“I think I’ve been really, really patient over the last 18 months, answering the same question over and over again,” Postecoglou replied to a suggestion that his team could adopt less cavalier tactics.
“If people want me to change my approach, it’s not going to change. We’re doing it for a reason because we think it’ll help us be successful.”
“They’re a very good football team”
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou reacts to his side’s defeat to Liverpool 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/OlCjwmb9oB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2024
Tottenham vs Liverpool ‘a bridge too far’
Tottenham’s results this season have included a 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion and a 4-3 loss at home to Chelsea after being 2-0 ahead in both games.
They were 5-1 down at one point during their drubbing by the leaders, although Postecoglou had 10 players absent through injury and illness.
“It was a bridge too far for us, in terms of you could tell that we were lacking a bit of energy and the ability to really compete with [Liverpool] at the same level,” Postecoglou said.
“If people don’t understand the circumstances we’re in at the moment and the challenges that we have as a team and a squad… I get the idea that people think I should just flip the switch and change and that would somehow make us a different. But it is what it is – I’m just going to continue staying focused on trying to build this team to be the team we want.
“It’s really, really painful” 😟
An open and honest reaction from Son Heung-min to Spurs’ defeat to Liverpool 👇 pic.twitter.com/NMaRr8u9PV
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2024
“In the interim, we’re going to have to accept that there are going to be challenges. Who knows? Maybe some of [the fans] actually understand the situation we’re in right now.
“It seems that many don’t. In the context of what we’re trying to do and where we’re at, I kind of hope they see what we’re trying to build here, because I really believe that it will give the fans and club what they want. But that’s up to them.”
Postecoglou: ‘Others to judge’
Postecoglou emphasised that the backing of supporters is “important” and was bullish when he was asked about his position.
“We’ve had shorter turnarounds than just about every team we’ve played so far, whether it’s been here or in Europe,” he added. “I haven’t been able to rest or rotate players.
“If you’re saying that [11th place] means I’m not doing a good job and I somehow should be uncomfortable, that’s for others to judge.”
