Postecoglou sends seven words message to his Tottenham players after Brentford win
In the wake of Tottenham Hotspur’s emphatic 3-1 victory over Brentford, manager Ange Postecoglou shared his enthusiastic assessment of the team’s performance, declaring, “it’s exactly who we want to be.” This match marked a significant turning point for Spurs, who had faced a challenging start to the season, managing only one win from their first four league fixtures.
The game commenced with a jarring setback for Tottenham as Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo scored within just 25 seconds, a scenario that could have rattled a less resilient team. However, instead of succumbing to the early pressure, Spurs rallied remarkably. They showcased their character and determination, going into halftime with a 2-1 lead, courtesy of goals from Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson. James Maddison then sealed the win with a late goal, ensuring Tottenham left the pitch with all three points.
Postecoglou was quick to praise his players for their spirited response to the initial setback. “I thought it was fun, it was exciting,” he reflected in his post-match interview with SPURSPLAY. “I told the lads after the game that this is exactly who we want to be.” He acknowledged that while there were moments when they allowed Brentford back into the game, the overall performance was a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline.
“The pressing was unbelievable, and our general play in the front third was really, really good today,” Postecoglou continued. “The boys had a real clear focus on how we could break them down and create opportunities for ourselves. We scored three great goals and definitely should have added more, but overall, I’m really pleased.”
The match showcased not only tactical brilliance but also a collective effort from the squad. Postecoglou noted that despite not securing that elusive third goal sooner, the team displayed composure and tenacity throughout. “Obviously, we kind of kept them in the game by not getting that third goal, but it had a little bit of everything,” he explained. “We needed our goalkeeper a couple of times, and everyone contributed to the win.”
A significant storyline heading into the match was the performance of Dominic Solanke, who had faced scrutiny after failing to score in his first three appearances for the club. Postecoglou had emphasized the importance of patience and development, and after Solanke netted his first goal, the manager lauded his contributions. “Dom is still working his way to match fitness,” he noted. “You could see towards the end that he was running out of gas. We wanted to take him off a bit earlier, but we needed that third goal to kill the game off.”
Beyond just the goal, Postecoglou emphasized Solanke’s overall impact on the game. “He led the line really well and was crucial for us in linking up play,” he said. “We knew Brentford would press aggressively with man-to-man marking, and he did an excellent job of holding the ball up for us.”
The victory against Brentford not only provided a much-needed boost to Tottenham’s morale but also illustrated the team’s growing identity under Postecoglou’s stewardship. As the players continue to adapt to his philosophy, their performance against Brentford suggests that they are on a promising trajectory.
Looking ahead, Postecoglou remains optimistic. “This win is a stepping stone for us. We need to build on this momentum, focus on our next matches, and strive for consistency.” As Tottenham seeks to solidify its standing in the league, the blend of tactical discipline and attacking flair shown against Brentford could be pivotal in their quest for success this season. With a renewed sense of purpose and determination, Spurs are poised to face the challenges ahead, eager to solidify their identity as a formidable force in the Premier League.