Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou's 'boasting' comment is a sign of a man under pressure - and this is why
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The silverware drought at Tottenham is becoming more pressing by the day, and with recent performances underwhelming, there is mounting pressure on the manager to deliver results. This is especially true for a club considered part of the traditional ‘Big Six’ and playing in one of the best stadiums in the world. Since their 2008 League Cup victory, the Lilywhites have failed to win a single major trophy.
During this drought, other top clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea have endured rough patches, yet they still managed to win significant silverware. Some of these teams have rebounded to become title challengers, while Spurs continue to flatter to deceive.
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Hide AdTottenham did make the Champions League final in 2019, but since then, it’s been mostly downhill. Ange Postecoglou is not responsible for the 16-year trophy drought, but he was hired to end it. His pre-match interview ahead of the League Cup game at Coventry hinted at a shift in attitude, showing he’s ready to win silverware.
Speaking to the press about Tottenham's long trophy drought, the Australian manager said: “I kind of flip it. As I keep saying to the guys, 'What a great opportunity. Imagine you are the ones to do it.'
“It was the biggest attraction for me coming here. I get it, it's the Premier League, and everyone wants to be here. It's a big club, and you do get well-rewarded financially and talk to fantastic people [in the media] like yourselves. All these things are great attractions, but the one that ticked the biggest box for me was to imagine I did win something. Imagine it was in my second year!"
This marks a stark contrast to what he said before their FA Cup match against Burnley in January when he remarked that winning one trophy wouldn’t cure all the club's issues. It's refreshing to see Postecoglou now aiming for silverware, a mindset any manager of Tottenham should have. Over the weekend, when asked about winning trophies in his second season, he asserted: "I'll correct myself - I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing's changed."
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Hide AdDomestically, Spurs compete in three competitions. While they may not be expected to challenge for the Premier League title right away, there’s no excuse for poor showings in cup competitions. Postecoglou’s team is also competing in the Europa League this year - a competition that, for once, doesn’t feature Sevilla, the team that often dominates it. Furthermore, there are fewer big clubs expected to drop down from the Champions League.
This leaves the likes of troubled Manchester United, struggling AS Roma, a rebuilding Ajax, an inconsistent Lazio, and an average Rangers as the main threats in the competition. If Postecoglou can’t make a serious run against these teams in their current states, then serious questions will need to be asked.
The same applies to domestic cup competitions. Excuses will not be tolerated if Tottenham fail to make progress. Last season, Manchester United, despite inconsistent form, won the FA Cup against Manchester City, the best club in the country. That result proved that single-game outcomes are determined not just by the quality of players but also by how well the team is coached on the day. Even Chelsea, despite their struggles, made it to the League Cup final at Wembley, while Tottenham, in better form at the time, were knocked out in the second round by Fulham.
Poor performances in cup competitions will not be acceptable this season, whether in the Europa League, FA Cup, or League Cup. The journey begins at Coventry tonight, but Postecoglou knows it cannot end there. Nothing short of a convincing victory is expected. After Coventry, Tottenham will welcome Azerbaijan's Qarabag to their stadium in the Europa League. That match, too, needs to lay the foundation for what Spurs hope will be a trophy-winning campaign.
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