Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou said he couldn’t “flip a switch and change his style” after boos were heard during his side’s 6-3 home defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
Despite having scored two more goals than any other team in the top flight, Spurs sit 11th in the table and eight points off fourth place, having picked up one point from 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 said in response to the suggestion that his team could use less cavalier tactics.
“If people want me to change my approach, it won’t change. We do it for a reason, because we believe it will help us succeed.”
“They are a very good football team”
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou reacts to his side’s defeat 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 included a 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion and a 4-3 home defeat against Chelsea, having been 2-0 up in both games.
During the defeat against the league leaders they were temporarily down 1:5, although Postecoglou had 10 players out due to injury and illness.
“It was a bridge too far for us, you could see we lacked 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’re facing as a team and squad… I feel like people think I should just flip the switch and change something, and that would somehow help us move forward. But it is what it is – I will continue to focus on building this team to be the team we want.
“It’s really, 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 must accept that there will be challenges. Who knows? Maybe some (of the fans) actually understand the situation we’re in right now.
“It seems many don’t. In the context of what we’re trying to do and where we’re at, I kind of hope they see what we’re trying to build here because I really believe it will give the fans and the club what they want. But that’s up to them.”
Postecoglou: “Others have to judge”
Postecoglou stressed that the support of supporters is “important” and was optimistic when asked about his position.
“We’ve had shorter turnarounds than almost any team we’ve played before, whether here or in Europe,” he added. “I wasn’t able to rest or change players.
“If you say that (11th place) means I’m not doing a good job and I should feel uncomfortable in some way, then others have to judge.”
