Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has said he “can’t flip a switch and change” his style after boos were heard at the end of his team’s 6-3 home defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
Despite scoring two more goals than any other team in the top flight, Spurs are 11th in the table and eight points off fourth place, having earned one point in their last four home league games.
“I think I’ve been very, very patient over the last 18 months, answering the same question over and over again,” Postecoglou responded to a suggestion that his team could adopt less cavalier tactics.
“If people want me to change my approach, that’s not going to change. “We do it for a reason because we believe it will help us be successful.”
“They are a very good football team”
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou reacts to his team’s loss to Liverpool 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/OlCjwmb9oB
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2024
Tottenham vs Liverpool ‘a bridge too far’
Tottenham’s results this season include a 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion and a 4-3 defeat at home to Chelsea after being 2-0 ahead in both matches.
They were trailing 5-1 at one point during the defeat to the leaders, although Postecoglou had 10 players absent through injury and illness.
“It was a bridge too far for us, in terms of you could tell we were lacking a bit of energy and the ability to really compete with (Liverpool) at the same level,” Postecoglou said.
“If people don’t understand the circumstances we’re in right now and the challenges we have as a team and as a squad… I get the idea that people think they should just flip the switch and change and that somehow gives us would make a different. But it is what it is: I will remain focused on trying to build this team to be the team we want.
“It’s really painful” 😟
An open and honest reaction from Son Heung-min to Spurs’ loss to Liverpool 👇 pic.twitter.com/NMaRr8u9PV
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2024
“In the meantime, we will have to accept that there will be challenges. Who knows? Maybe some (of the fans) really understand the situation we are in now.
“It seems that many do not do it. In the context of what we’re trying to do and where we are, I hope they see what we’re trying to build here, because I really think it’s going to give the fans and the club what they want. But that depends on them.”
Postecoglou: ‘Others to judge’
Postecoglou stressed that the support of his followers is “important” and was optimistic when asked about his position.
“We’ve had shorter turnarounds than almost every team we’ve played so far, whether here or in Europe,” he added. “I haven’t been able to rest or rotate players.
“If you say that (11th place) means I’m not doing a good job and that I should somehow feel uncomfortable, that’s for others to judge.”
