‘A lot’ of fans ‘don’t understand the situation’ at Tottenham, says boss

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said he “can’t flick a switch and change” his style after whistles blew throughout his side’s 6-3 home defeat by Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

Despite scoring two more goals than any other team in the Premier League, Spurs are 11th in the table and eight points off fourth place, with one point from their last four home league games.

“I think I’ve been very, very patient over the last 18 months, answering the same question over and over again,” Postecoglou responded to the suggestion that his team could adopt a less cavalier tactic.

“If people want me to change my approach, it won’t change. We do it for a reason because we think it will help us be successful.”

“They are a very good football team”

Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou reacts to his team’s defeat by 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 include a 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion and a 4-3 defeat at home to Chelsea after leading 2-0 in both games.

They were 5-1 down at one point during the leaders’ onslaught, even though Postecoglou had 10 players absent through injury and illness.

“It was a bridge too far for us, in the sense that you could tell we lacked a bit of energy and ability to really compete with (Liverpool) at the same level,” Postecoglou said.

“If people don’t understand the circumstances we’re in right now and the challenges we have as a team and as a team … I have this idea that people think I should just flip a switch and change and that would somehow make us different. But that’s what – I’m just going to continue to stay focused on trying to build this team to be the team that we want to be.

“It’s really, really painful” 😟

Son Heung-min’s open and honest reaction to Spurs’ defeat by Liverpool 👇 pic.twitter.com/NMaRr8u9PV

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2024

“In the meantime, we will have to accept that there will be challenges. who knows. Maybe some of the (fans) actually understand the situation we’re in right now.

“Not many seem to have. In the context of what we’re trying to do and where we’re at, I hope they see what we’re trying to build here, because I really believe it’s going to give the fans and the club what they want. But that’s up to them.”

Postecoglou: ‘Others will judge’

Postecoglou stressed that fan support is “important” and was upbeat when asked about his stance.

“We’ve had shorter turnarounds than almost every team we’ve played so far, whether it’s here or in Europe,” he added. “I couldn’t rest or rotate players.

“If you say that (11th place) means I’m not doing a good job and I should be embarrassed somehow, that’s for others to judge.”