Postecoglou has, the truth is, contributed to the maelstrom of madness that seems to always swirl throughout the Spurs group. Just some weeks once more, after Tottenham’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal, a Sky Sports activities actions reporter talked about one factor he had acknowledged by the pre-season: that he “usually” wins trophies in his second full season at a membership, from South Melbourne by to Celtic.
In response, Postecoglou poured petrol onto the fireplace.
“I’ll proper myself,” he acknowledged. “I don’t usually win points, I always win points in my second 12 months. Nothing’s modified. I’ve acknowledged it now. I don’t say points till I think about them.”
That assertion grew to develop into the yardstick by which Postecoglou could possibly be measured, and as well as the keep on with which he could possibly be overwhelmed every time his group fell fast. This was on the highest of the early season rigidity surrounding Spurs, who, primarily based on the prevailing view in Premier League punditry, “needed” an outstanding start on account of how they ended the ultimate advertising marketing campaign. Nevertheless they gained solely one amongst their first 4 video video games to start the 2024-25 season, and after failing as soon as extra inside the north London derby, you didn’t ought to enterprise too far into the online’s darkish corners to hunt out supporters genuinely calling for his head.
Correctly, they’ve gained eight of their 10 matches since. Not that you just’d realize it. And though they seem to be a long way from the place Postecoglou wishes to take them, they’re on observe to do what he acknowledged they may do: win one factor.
The Premier League will almost positively be too highly effective an ask, since Spurs are already 10 elements off the tempo, nonetheless they stand a extremely precise probability of together with what would merely be Tottenham’s second trophy this century to the membership’s assortment.
First, the Carabao Cup. Beating any group coached by Guardiola isn’t any indicate feat, and Postecoglou has now pulled it off for the first time in 4 makes an try (or 5, in case you embody the nice Metropolis carried out in direction of Yokohama F. Marinos in 2018). Sure, Man Metropolis have been hit by harm and rested Erling Haaland, nonetheless they nonetheless started Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake, and launched Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva off the bench. There’s no such issue as a weak Metropolis, and this was their first defeat in all competitions this season. Plus, the group fielded by Spurs was, on widespread, two years youthful.
And certain, Metropolis dominated possession, and as a consequence, Spurs defended quite a bit deeper than they need. Nevertheless they nonetheless caught to the core guidelines of Angeball: attempting to keep up the ball as quite a bit as doable, pressing the opposition relentlessly as quickly because it’s misplaced, and when it is gained once more, collaborating in forward as shortly and instantly as feasibly doable. On one different day, with larger ending, they may have gone two, three or way more goals away from Metropolis fairly than needing to defend to the demise to see them off.
It was an effective way to bounce once more from a dreadful 1-0 defeat to beforehand winless Crystal Palace on the weekend, and a effectively timed reminder that whereas Postecoglou will not ever stray from his guidelines, he does tweak and tinker inside that, whatever the notion of him as an ultra-dogmatist who in no way changes one thing. Importantly, it locations them merely three wins from lifting the Carabao Cup. Subsequent up is a home quarter-final in direction of Manchester United in December, and no matter their axing of Erik ten Hag as coach and the pending appointment of Ruben Amorim, that fixture ought to keep up no concern.
Secondly, there’s the Europa League. Spurs are one amongst solely three teams remaining with a really perfect doc, and within the occasion that they finish inside the excessive eight of the model new 36-team “Swiss system″ format, they’re going to progress on to the spherical of 16. Third-placed teams from the UEFA Champions League not drop proper right down to the Europa League, each, and on paper, you’d say Tottenham are one in all many best golf gear left in it, with one in all many strongest squads, and can see themselves as among the many many favourites.
There’s the FA Cup, too, which is however to start out for Premier League teams.
Nevertheless it isn’t about silverware for Postecoglou, though he has promised it. As he acknowledged this week, worthwhile two trophies didn’t save ten Hag from the axe.
Tottenham are, clearly, a bit in progress. There are flashes of absolute magic in one of the best ways they play, which say the wait will possible be worth it – after which irritating lapses that hint on the reverse. Nevertheless video video games are increasingly more being carried out on their phrases.
Postecoglou’s historic previous implies that consistency will come lastly, and when it does, they will be a formidable group. The proof is slowly mounting that he may have some idea about soccer, no matter being Australian.
His best downside in England was in no way going to be on the pitch. He’s purchased that lined. A very powerful downside was always going to be political: getting adequate time to see this enterprise by to completion, soothing the twitchy impulses of Tottenham’s long-suffering supporters, and making sure their impatience doesn’t seep into the boardroom. It’s about staying true in among the fickle environments in world sport. It’s what makes this such an thrilling storyline to take a look at unfold.
Thus far, so good.
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