‘The whole thing’: Chris Sutton unhappy with what he’s heard about Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham now
Chris Sutton is unhappy with what he’s heard about Ange Postecoglou’s tactics at Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend.
During an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live, the analyst discussed Tottenham’s 3-3 draw against Manchester City on Sunday.
At the Etihad Stadium, Spurs had a wild first half and were lucky to trail only 2-1 at the half following Son Heung-Min’s early goal.
Tottenham continued to try to play out of the back, and Ange Postecoglou was criticized for his style of play.
At halftime, the Australian made a little adjustment by substituting Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for Bryan Gil and forcing Dejan Kulusevski wide.
Spurs were rewarded for their efforts when Kulusevski and Giovani Lo Celso scored goals to secure them a point on the road.
In the second half, though, Postecoglou continued to play the same way. Rather than backing down, the former Celtic player pressed his Tottenham teammates to play with greater confidence.
After Sunday’s match, Kulusevski did indeed disclose that the Spurs manager was upset with his team at halfway and instructed them to play with greater conviction.
Furthermore, Chris Sutton is adamantly against the criticism that Postecoglou got during Sunday’s game.
Sutton unhappy after what he’s heard about Postecoglou at Tottenham
Sutton refuted suggestions that Postecoglou was “naive” in his approach to the City game in an appearance on The Monday Night Club.
Given the success his attacking style has brought him as a manager, the pundit thinks the Spurs manager has every right to continue using it.
“Overall, I heard a lot of things yesterday criticizing Postecoglou and how the Spurs were gullible and would be caught off guard and how they needed to adjust and change their style of play before the game,” Sutton remarked.
“Postecoglou holds distinct opinions about football. I know I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: why in the world would he alter his formula if he has 26 years of successful management experience using it?
It is only this season that he has managed in the Premier League. However, it suits him. His convictions serve him well.
“Why, once the formula works, is he going to adjust and do something different?”
Sutton raises an excellent point regarding Postecoglou’s steadfast dedication to playing an offensive style of football.
The Aussie has enjoyed success everywhere he’s been by urging his players to be brave and stick to his philosophy. He’s also enjoyed a positive start to life at Tottenham given the injuries and suspensions he’s had to deal with over the past few weeks.
It’s also crucial to note that Postecoglou has performed well for Tottenham this season in a number of pivotal games.
Spurs have drawn at Arsenal and City and defeated both Manchester United and Liverpool at home.
Spurs supporters are undoubtedly on the edge of their seats thanks to Postecoglou’s playing style, but their early-season performance suggests his strategy is effective.
Before a number of important players were forced to miss time due to injury or bans, Spurs had never experienced a Premier League loss. However, Tottenham’s situation is beginning to improve once more as they prepare to play West Ham on Thursday and will be glad to have Cristian Romero back.
