Tottenham Hotspur told trio don’t enjoy playing in Ange Postecoglou’s style of play
After years of negative and defensive football, Tottenham Hotspur are once again playing on the front foot.
Tottenham did that under Mauricio Pochettino and they were rewarded with constant Champions League finishes.
It remains to be seen if Ange Postecoglou can match what the Argentine did at Spurs, but one thing is for sure, he is going at full throttle.
Former England striker Michael Owen thinks that Ange Postecoglou could be ‘the most attack-minded manager in the world’, as he told Premier League Productions (03/12/23 at 6:45 pm).
But he also feels there are three players, such as goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, stand-in centre-backs Emerson Royal and Ben Davies, who don’t enjoy playing in Ange Postecoglou’s style because of how open it is.
When Micky van de Ven got injured and Cristian Romero was suspended, that was the worry that Spurs wouldn’t be able to play with such a high line against stand-in players.
But as Spurs proved during their 3-3 draw against Manchester City on Sunday, that’s not the case, and this is what Michael Owen had to say post-match.
Ange Postecoglou’s style of play at Tottenham
“They were so negative,” said Owen about the likes of Mourinho and Conte. “They were defensive managers.
“So, to fly through that, then all of a sudden, you have the most offensive manager and the most attack-minded manager in the world of football. It’s a really different mindset for the players.
“One I am sure the attacking players are enjoying. But I am not sure if I was the goalkeeper, or the centre-halves, and things like that, if I would be enjoying it.”
Many thought Tottenham’s trip to the Etihad would, not only end in a fourth defeat in a row in the Premier League, but also a possible mauling.
But they shut a number of critics up by continuing to play their own way, despite injuries, and walking away from the Champions of England with a respectable point.
It probably instils more belief into the Spurs fans and squad that, when their key players return, mainly James Maddison and Micky van de Ven, they can really get serious.
The aim at the start of the season probably would have been to get back into the top six.
But now there is a serious chance of securing Champions League football after missing out on Europe altogether last season.