Ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s upcoming match against Brentford, manager Ange Postecoglou provided insights into the team’s current status, transfer window activities, and his thoughts on the managerial landscape in football during a detailed press conference.
Team News and Player Fitness: Postecoglou started by confirming that there were no new issues from the last game, with the players who were out still unavailable. He expressed satisfaction with James Madison’s progress, who had recently returned to action. “He’s trained well, so he’s ready to go,” Postecoglou said, hinting at Madison’s increasing involvement in upcoming games.
Transfer Window and Squad Development: With the transfer window nearing its end, Postecoglou seemed content with the current squad, noting, “I don’t see any incomings.” He also touched upon the return of Papar from the Africa Cup of Nations, a key player for the team. When asked about the longevity of his career and maintaining mental well-being in a high-pressure job, Postecoglou humorously remarked, “People question my mental well-being, that’s why.”
Reflecting on Klopp’s Departure from Liverpool: The Spurs manager shared his thoughts on Jürgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool, acknowledging the challenge of staying at one club for an extended period and the taxing nature of rebuilding a team. “I know how hard it is to rebuild after you’ve done that,” he said, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining success over many years.
Progress and Expectations: Looking at Spurs’ progress, Postecoglou believed the team had made strides, especially considering the changes in the summer. “I really believe we have made progress,” he stated, emphasizing the development of the squad and their football. However, he acknowledged there was still a long way to go to reach their ultimate goals.
Facing Brentford and Ivan Toney’s Impact: Commenting on the upcoming match against Brentford, Postecoglou praised Ivan Toney’s influence on the team. “He changes that team almost overnight,” he noted, recognizing Toney’s importance to Brentford’s attacking threat.
On Spurs’ Future and Challenges: Postecoglou discussed the challenges of rebuilding within a club and adapting to different circumstances. He emphasized the importance of aligning everyone within the organization to the same vision for success. “I have no doubt it works; it’s just I know it’ll only work if everyone’s aligned to it,” he concluded, highlighting the need for a unified approach to achieve the club’s ambitions.
As Tottenham Hotspur prepares to face Brentford, Postecoglou’s reflections provide a glimpse into a team that is not just focusing on immediate challenges but also steadily working towards long-term goals with a clear vision and strategic approach.