In the aftermath of a thrilling encounter against Luton, Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou took to the press room to share his thoughts on the game, the players, and the journey ahead. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways from his press conference:
1. A Game of Two Halves Ange began by acknowledging the contrasting nature of the two halves. He praised his team’s performance in the first half, stating, “I thought we played some great football in the first half… probably should have been two or three up.” He was particularly impressed with how his team controlled the game and minimized Luton’s threats. The red card incident, however, changed the dynamics, but Ange was proud of how his team handled the situation, emphasizing the collective effort of both the starters and the substitutes.
2. On the Red Card Incident When asked about the red card, Ange was understanding, saying, “He’s been brilliant for us this year, so he made a mistake.” He emphasized the importance of reactions in football and was pleased with how the team responded to the setback.
3. Praise for the Center Backs Ange had special words of praise for his center backs, who have been performing consistently throughout the season. He highlighted the influence of Romero, a World Cup winner, on the younger players, suggesting that his presence makes them feel like they belong in the Premier League. He also mentioned Mickey’s outstanding performance, especially in dealing with Luton’s long balls and physicality.
4. Romero’s Restraint and Leadership Touching upon Romero’s restraint on the field, Ange felt it might be a combination of maturity and comfort in the team. He described Romero as an “outstanding defender” with a great passing range and positioning sense. He also mentioned Messi’s praise for Romero, calling him the best defender in the world, to which Ange responded, “He’s a good judge.”
5. Top of the Premier League Ange downplayed the significance of being at the top of the Premier League at this early stage, emphasizing that it’s only October. He said, “Being top of the league now doesn’t really mean anything tangible apart from the fact that we’ve started the season well.” He stressed the importance of continuous improvement and growth as a team.
6. Resilience and Winning Mentality Ange spoke about his love for winning and how he aims to create an environment of success. He said, “The football we try and play is not exclusive of us trying to be successful.” He also touched upon the resilience he’s instilled in the team, emphasizing that they play to win.
7. On James Maddison Ange praised Maddison’s performance, especially his role in set pieces. He said, “Meso works really hard with the guys on set pieces… creates a bit of magic for Mickey to score.” He also highlighted the collective effort of the team that allows Madison to shine.
8. Mickey’s Goal Closing the press conference, Ange was asked about Mickey’s goal, to which he responded, “It was a fantastic finish.” He didn’t elaborate much but seemed pleased with the outcome.
In all, Ange Postecoglou’s press conference was a reflection of a manager who is proud of his team’s performance but is also grounded, knowing that there’s a long season ahead. The journey for Tottenham under Ange is just beginning, and fans have every reason to be optimistic.
