Ange Postecoglou refuses to let critics target his Tottenham Hotspur squad

BIRMINGHAM – Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou welcomed criticism against him but told doubters after the 2-1 FA Cup exit at Aston Villa on Feb 9 to leave his players out of it, saying if they want to blame him they should “go for it a million times”.

Under pressure, he staunchly defended his depleted squad, insisting no team could have coped with the mounting injuries since mid-November while juggling four competitions, and that Tottenham would be outstanding when his players return.

Postecoglou, missing 11 senior players, included four teenagers in his starting line-up as well as 21-year-old goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who was at fault for Jacob Ramsey’s opener.

“People can judge me. They can say I have done a bad job, I’m not up to it or whatever. (But) you can’t be critical of players or players’ performances at this time,” the Australian told reporters.

“Because if you do, then be as critical of other clubs when they’ve got 9 or 10 or 11 players out. And none of them have. It can’t be that people think that’s an excuse.

“That’s just not anywhere near close to objective analysis. That’s just agenda-driven stuff. If it’s to get rid of me that’s fine. Good on you. Go for it a million times.”

Reflecting on the mounting injuries since mid-November as his team juggled four competitions, Postecoglou pointed to Liverpool’s shock FA Cup loss at Plymouth Argyle, where manager Arne Slot made multiple changes due to injuries and a packed schedule.

“(Liverpool) did that for one game. Do that for 2½ months in multiple competitions. Any team. Why do you think Liverpool and others rotate 11 players? I wish I could do the same. Once we get the rest of the group in, we will be an outstanding team. I have no doubt about that,” he added.

Tottenham’s loss leaves the Europa League, where they are in the last 16, as their only hope of a trophy this season. They are 14th in the English Premier League and were knocked out in the League Cup semi-finals by Liverpool last week.

Villa took less than a minute to score when Morgan Rogers waltzed forward virtually unchallenged before sending the ball into Ramsey’s path. The 23-year-old fired straight at Czech custodian Kinsky, who got both hands on it but let the ball slipped through.

“I’ve been in the first team for four or five years and we have been getting knocked out (of the FA Cup) in the first or second game,” Ramsey told the BBC. “So, we wanted to put on a performance for the fans and we did that today.”

Rogers doubled the home side’s lead in the 64th minute when Pedro Porro could not clear Leon Bailey’s cross, and Rogers was there to slot home the loose ball from close range for his 11th goal this season in all competitions for Unai Emery’s team.

Spurs’ new signing, French forward Mathys Tel, pulled one back in stoppage time with his first goal for the club when he flicked home Dejan Kulusevski’s cross. REUTERS