Judge Tottenham Hotspur at end of the season, says Ange Postecoglou
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou after losing to Galatasaray in the Europa League.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
LONDON – Ange Postecoglou believes that Tottenham Hotspur are “making progress” but says any judgements on his work should wait until the end of the season.
The Australian has experienced a rollercoaster start to his second season in north London.
A run of just one win from Spurs’ opening four games was followed by five consecutive victories, including an impressive 3-0 win at Manchester United.
Postecoglou’s men have since scored impressive home wins over West Ham, Manchester City and Aston Villa, but have lost their past three away games in all competitions.
“There’s still a hell of a long way to go and, for us, what’s important is we keep progressing in the way we have been,” the manager said on Nov 8 ahead of the Premier League home clash with Ipswich Town on Nov 10.
“Our football for the large part has been pretty consistent, pretty good. We’ve obviously had a few stumbles along the way. Within that context I still think we’re making progress and that’s what we will keep doing.
“There’s no point looking at the table now because ultimately where we are at the end of the season is what counts.”
For now, Postecoglou is focused on Ipswich – who have yet to win a league match – and is aiming to do better than their two wins and two defeats in their last four matches in the Premier League.
“Every league game has the potential to hurt you if you’re not at your best,” he said.
“Ipswich will be no different. They were close last week (to winning) and they’ve been close in a number of games. Kieran McKenna has done an unbelievable job since he’s been there and they continue to grow.”
The Spurs boss made changes for the midweek 3-2 Europa League loss to Turkish side Galatasaray, with a number of key players out injured.
Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Timo Werner, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore will all be absent this weekend, but there is hope that Cristian Romero could return.
Captain Son Heung-min has been used sparingly in the past two games to nurse him back to full fitness.
“We’re managing his minutes, building him up,” added Postecoglou of his skipper.
“Hopefully we get him back and keep him back. It’s very easy to fall into it by pushing players when they’re coming back from injury. We can’t afford more injuries in that position.
“We’ve already got Wilson with a long-term injury, (Richarlison) with a long-term injury, Mikey out now.”
Son is Tottenham’s most influential player and his presence is vital.
He missed games for Spurs and South Korea earlier in the season due to a hamstring injury, before playing in a 4-1 win over West Ham United in October, an appearance which exacerbated the winger’s injury and kept him out of the next three matches.
In the last two games, he played 56 minutes in a 4-1 league win over Aston Villa and 45 minutes in their loss to Galatasaray.
Richarlison is set for a longer spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury against Villa last weekend, having only recently returned to action. AFP, REUTERS
