“I’m not stubborn”- Ange Postecoglou reveals exactly why he refuses to change his style of play at Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur experienced a surprising and disheartening defeat just before the international break, as they let a comfortable two-goal lead slip away to ultimately lose 3-2 to Brighton. The loss has left fans and pundits alike questioning the team’s form, as this marks Tottenham’s worst start to a Premier League campaign in 16 years. Currently sitting ninth in the table, the team has managed to secure just 10 points from their first seven matches, a far cry from the level of performance expected from the north London club.
The dramatic collapse on the south coast has led to growing calls for manager Ange Postecoglou to adopt a more pragmatic and cautious approach to his style of play. Many believe that by being more conservative, Tottenham could have held onto their lead and avoided the defeat. Despite these calls for change, Postecoglou has firmly stood his ground, maintaining that he will not alter the attacking philosophy that has defined his managerial career.
Ange Postecoglou’s Stance on a Pragmatic Approach
In response to criticism urging him to adopt a more defensive and pragmatic strategy, Postecoglou has made it clear that he is unwavering in his commitment to his tactical philosophy. The Australian manager, who has built his career on a high-tempo, attacking style of football, believes that deviating from his principles would undermine the success that brought him to Tottenham in the first place.
During an interview with Optus Sport, Postecoglou explained his reasoning: “From my perspective, people want me to adopt the same approach that everyone else takes, but I’m simply not going to do that. There’s a reason I’ve reached this point in my career, and it’s because I’ve stayed true to my own methods, not by following what everyone else does.”
He continued, “I understand the argument for being more pragmatic, but I don’t want to be like everyone else. What some might see as stubbornness or dogmatism, I see as a strong belief in my way of doing things. It’s that belief that has brought me success, and I don’t intend to change that now.”
For Postecoglou, remaining committed to his attacking style is a non-negotiable part of his identity as a manager, and he feels that his faith in this approach will ultimately yield the results Tottenham needs, even if it comes with some bumps along the way.
How Postecoglou Could Line Up Against West Ham
As Tottenham prepares to face West Ham United in a crucial London derby following the international break, the return of key players to training has provided a much-needed boost. Heung-min Son, Richarlison, and Wilson Odobert are all expected to rejoin team training this week, giving the squad a timely injection of attacking options ahead of their clash with the Hammers.
Of the trio, Son is the most likely to start, as the South Korean forward remains a central figure in Tottenham’s attack. Son is expected to take his place in the starting XI, likely replacing Timo Werner, who has started the last three matches but has struggled to make a significant impact.
Richarlison and Odobert, however, are still recovering from minor injuries, and the West Ham match may come too soon for their return to the starting line-up. Instead, they could make their comebacks in the upcoming Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar, where they will have more time to regain full match fitness.
As for the likely line-up against West Ham, Postecoglou will stick to his preferred attacking set-up, even with the pressure to adopt a more cautious approach. The predicted starting XI could see Vicario in goal, with a backline of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie. In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to return alongside playmaker James Maddison, with Dejan Kulusevski offering creativity from the right.
In attack, Brennan Johnson could continue in his wide role, while Son is expected to lead the line, supported by Dominic Solanke, who has impressed since joining the team.
Tottenham’s Predicted Line-up vs West Ham:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Maddison, Kulusevski; Johnson, Son, Solanke.
The London derby is shaping up to be a key test for Postecoglou and his commitment to his philosophy. With Tottenham looking to bounce back from their poor run of form, the pressure is mounting, but the manager’s determination to play his way suggests that he’s in it for the long haul, win or lose.