An Everton fan analyzes the Club tactics ahead of their clash against Tottenham
As a lifelong Tottenham Hotspur supporter, I’ve witnessed countless managerial changes at my beloved North London club. Each new appointment brings a wave of hope, followed by the familiar uncertainty that seems to define life as a Spurs fan.
Despite my deep British roots, I’ve called Western Australia home for the past 15 years. Supporting Tottenham from the other side of the world means late-night kick-offs, bleary-eyed mornings, and countless hours glued to a TV screen while most of my neighbours sleep. Football, or soccer as it’s known here, isn’t the beating heart of Australian sport – cricket, rugby, and AFL rule the roost. The Premier League’s feverish buzz doesn’t reach quite as far here. That was true, at least, until Ange Postecoglou arrived.
Angemania Down Under
Everything changed on June 6, 2023, when Tottenham appointed Postecoglou – the first Australian ever to manage a Premier League club. For the first time, English football dominated headlines across the country. Suddenly, people who had never cared about Tottenham were talking about the Premier League. Cafés buzzed with conversations about “Big Ange.” Even casual sports fans were intrigued to see how one of their own would fare in the most demanding league in the world.
And, to be fair, the beginning was magical. Ten games unbeaten, free-flowing attacking football, and a renewed sense of belief among Spurs fans everywhere. It felt like Postecoglou might actually be the man to finally break Tottenham’s long-standing cycle of false dawns. Fans in London, Perth, and Sydney alike began to dream again.
But as the months rolled on, that dream began to unravel. Injuries, defensive frailties, and tactical stubbornness saw Tottenham’s form nosedive. Many fans started to lose faith in the Australian. I, however, held on – partly because of my growing connection to Australia, but mostly because I wanted to believe that Postecoglou’s long-term vision could transform the club’s DNA. I was convinced that with patience, financial backing, and a bit of luck, he could build something lasting.
The Night Everything Changed
That belief came crashing down on January 19, 2025, at Goodison Park. Tottenham arrived on Merseyside to face Everton low on confidence after a North London derby defeat. Expectations weren’t sky-high, but what unfolded that evening was nothing short of humiliating.
Everton – a hardworking but limited side – tore through Tottenham’s defence with alarming ease. By half-time, Spurs were 3–0 down, and truthfully, it could have been more. The performance was lifeless, disorganised, and devoid of fight. Watching from my living room in Perth, I felt disbelief turn to frustration, and frustration to resignation. Two late goals from Spurs added a thin layer of respectability to the scoreline, but the damage had been done. For me, that was the night I accepted that Postecoglou wasn’t the man to take us forward.
A New Chapter Under Thomas Frank
Fast forward to now, and Tottenham are preparing to return to Goodison Park under new management. Thomas Frank’s arrival in the summer has brought stability and a more pragmatic approach. The Dane’s Tottenham side are tougher to beat, better organised defensively, and more disciplined overall. There’s a sense of structure and balance that was often missing under Postecoglou’s all-out attacking philosophy.
However, Frank’s tenure hasn’t been without its criticisms. While Spurs are more solid, they’ve also looked somewhat blunt going forward. The attacking spark that once defined Tottenham’s identity has dimmed, and fans have voiced concerns about the lack of creativity and tempo in possession. Frank’s cautious approach has delivered results, but supporters are still yearning for the kind of expressive, front-foot football that has long been part of the club’s tradition.
The Importance of a Statement Win
Sunday’s clash with Everton will be more than just another Premier League fixture – it will serve as a barometer of Tottenham’s progress since that dark January afternoon. The Toffees have improved since then, with a more confident and cohesive squad, but this is exactly the kind of match Frank must win to reinforce belief in his project.
For Tottenham, this isn’t just about three points. It’s about redemption – about showing how far the team has come since that dreadful performance that marked the beginning of the end for Postecoglou. Frank needs a statement victory to maintain early-season momentum and to convince the fanbase that, despite stylistic growing pains, the club is moving in the right direction.
It would take a truly disastrous performance for Tottenham to sink to the levels seen in that Goodison Park nightmare. But football has a funny way of revisiting old wounds. This weekend’s result will reveal whether the scars of last season have truly healed – or if Spurs are still searching for the identity they’ve long been chasing.