After more conservative approaches under Mourinho, Antonio Conte and, briefly, Nuno Espirito Santo, Postecoglou’s emphasis on attacking, high intensity football has led to Spurs being one of the league’s most entertaining sides.
They have scored 116 goals since he arrived and are the league’s fourth highest scorers since summer 2023.
This season, only Liverpool have scored more goals than Tottenham’s 42 goals, while they are also second in terms of the number of big chances created.
After qualifying for the Europa League with a fifth-placed finish last season – compared to the eighth place they finished the season before Postecoglou’s arrival – they have a League Cup semi-final against Liverpool to look forward to on Wednesday and remain in Europe.
But defensively, the stats aren’t so great.
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Tottenham recorded 51 points in the Premier League in 2024. That’s their worst return in a calendar year since 2008 when they recorded 42 points.
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Since Postecoglou was appointed, Spurs have conceded 91 goals – the seventh most from teams in the top flight since he joined.
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This season, their 30 goals against is worse than 12 other Premier League teams.
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They have registered just one victory from their last eight top-flight games.
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Spurs are winless in six successive Premier League home games – their worst run since October 2008.
The Australian continues to insist his defenders remain as high up the pitch as possible, a tactic that leaves plenty of space in behind. It is a problem that has been exacerbated by the absence of defensive speed merchants – and first-choice centre-backs – Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven through injury.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told Football Focus: “The stubbornness from Ange Postecoglou may ultimately cost him his job at Tottenham.
“When they went down to nine men against Chelsea, of 100 top coaches 99 would have dropped to the edge of the box, but he wanted to sit on the halfway line. They lost that game comfortably as Chelsea ran all over them.
“I don’t quite understand why he does not want to adapt. There are issues with his system and his failure to adapt will go against him in the long run.”
Former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker said on his Rest is Football podcast: “I do think if they can get Romero and Van de Ven together they are a different side. They need that pace.
“It is a brave form of football but I like it. Spurs tried to play a more cagey game of football and the fans didn’t enjoy it – although results were maybe slightly better. I hope they stick with him and I hope they turn it around.”
