Welcome Ange

/ Alan

Welcome Ange. Hope you know what you’re letting yourself in for.

Cut to the chase. I’m optimistic. Then again, I hoped Nuno would be a safe pair of hands in the short-term.

Postecoglou’s teams play on the front foot, taking the game to the opposition and making things happen. I can’t speak to sophisticated tactical analysis (try the Extra Inch for that), but I’m sick of waiting, Spurs teams set up to wait to see what happens. Sick of sheltering in a low block, hacked off with cowering from kick-off to some point in the middle of the second half when it dawns on the manager that we might lose. Take them on, be something. Show some self-respect.

While he cuts a genial figure, popular with fans, he demnads his team play at pace with a high degree of intensity. Maybe that’s become an overused word but for a reason. We finished 8th – all of the teams above us go at it for extended periods whether or not they have the ball.

Plus, intensity is going to shake any complacency out of the players, something which is long overdue. Postecoglou does not accept players coasting. There are opportunities here for players with undeniable talent but who found themselves on the side-lines to show their worth, and this is what our new manager is seeking, I suspect, the chance to impose his own philosophy and approach on willing minds. Shades of Poch here, where he made every player better than they were before, and if they didn’t meet his demands, they were gone.

The criticism that he hasn’t managed at Premier League level is unavoidable but mitigated by other accomplishments. He’s the oldest prospect in town, lessons learned over a lengthy managerial career, often in adversity, ready to be put into practice at a higher level. The issue is not what he did before, but rather, what he can achieve with better players. He’ll make the most of untapped potential.

One of my sustained criticisms of the club over the last five years is that we have lost our identity. The board do not appear to know who or what they want us to be. Finishing 8th is a stark but timely and necessary response to that. We are not a top four club. We can be but for now, reality bites and we’re not, and we won’t get there through vanity managerial appointments. We have to fight to get back there, just as we did after Levy’s early planning failed and Martin Jol took over, effectively by default, but he restored pride in the team and built us into a top six club, his role in creating a platform for the progress that followed often neglected. And we need a fighter to take us there, someone with something to prove. He’s a good fit – we’re ambitious and so is he, because he’s 57 and not in spite of it. He can fulfil his ambitions at Spurs, if things go right. We need someone who wants this job as a step up.

Not that it’s likely the club have taken notice of arguments like that if past form is anything to go by. My cynicism about the board’s judgement is such that I’m tempted to say, if Daniel Levy chose him, he can’t be much good, and the suspicion persists that he feels his new man will not make undue and expensive demands in the transfer market, an attractive quality as far as our chairman is concerned.

That’s not entirely fair. Even someone as emotionally unintelligent as Levy cannot avoid the calamitous, divisive legacy of his last three choices. While he takes little notice of supporters, he’s sensitive to his public image and he has been subject to a barrage of sustained criticism from mainstream media outlets, many of whom have recently discovered the same problems fans have been complaining about for several years. Also, he’s been rejected by more established figures such as Nagelsmann and Slot who do not want to work with him and his methods.

Postecoglou has a four year contract, longer than predicted last week. It could mean Spurs have a long-overdue medium and longer-term plan, or simply that he’s on a much lower salary than JM or Conte, so compensation if he leaves will be similarly cheap.

It’s Spurs, and his success stands or falls in the way he is supported by the board and his yet to be appointed Director of Football. Failing to get manager, recruitment and finance to work smoothly together is Levy’s responsibility and the single biggest impediment to progress. Hopefully the appointment of Scott Munn to oversee the football operation will improve matters. It’s not a question of throwing money at the team but it is essential to make funds available to buy decent quality players in key positions like goalkeeper and centreback, beating competition from our rivals.

The other problem Postecoglou faces is not of his own making either. He carries the weight of past mistakes and broken dreams. When the fans express their frustrations if things aren’t going well, it’s not just about disappointment in any given game or with any specific player, it’s also the collective expression of years of dissatisfaction and justified discontent. It’s something that can’t be compartmentalised away, but he seems a big enough guy to deal with that. He forged a warm relationship with Celtic fans who responded to his commitment and energy, plus the fact that he acknowledged them, spoke of them and took them into consideration.

We need that. Spurs need a deep clean to sterilise the toxicity of Conte’s last season. He requires time to change the atmosphere as well as the tactics, so we have to show patience, by ‘time’ I mean at least a season but I fear people will want tangible progress more quickly. Let’s get behind Ange. I think we’re really going to take to him.

28 thoughts on “Welcome Ange”

  1. “Shades of Poch here, where he made every player better than they were before, and if they didn’t meet his demands, they were gone.”
    Not sure about that Alan. Dele Ali failed visibly to improve.
    Scott Munn must have been aware of Ange during their time in the Australian A-League (the 2 Melbourne clubs) so I would venture to suggest that Munn has influenced this appointment.

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    • Yes, wordpress has started to make my replies anonymous too. My meaning isn’t entirely clear there, I meant the period in his early months when he cleared out a few players who didn’t fit. I think there’s a good argument that he did improve everyone who stayed. Dele became a star with Poch, then faded later, and Poch could see that happening way before we did because apparently he wanted to sell him.

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  3. I think that Ange is here because of Scott Munn rather than Daniel Levy, and there are rumours that Munn talked with Ange agent in Feb and received the message that he was interested but wouldn’t speak to spurs untill Celtics season was over. Added to that is the noise that neither Slot or Feyenoord had any official contact from Spurs. Iy’s possible that the press has been played enough to keep Ange’s position quiet. Anyway what both the board and fans need is patience. Whether Ange suceeds or not it’s unlike to happen this season. A for the playersnot one of them should feel they are safe, if they don’t play to the best of their abilities he want pick them so there may be some holding tight that both individual players and us the supporters will have to deal with. Enjoy the sunshine Alan because I think autumn may well be bumpy.

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    • I hope Munn did have some input because that’s his job, even though he doesn’t officially begin until next month, and we need another voice on football decision making. As you say, it seems like Ange was on our list of candidates early on. I agree that he needs time to build a side and this is where we fans can help. Social media noise can be dismissed, it’s in the stadium where we need to be positive and patient. It will be a bumpy ride. He has to deal with years of frustration

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  4. Despite having no negative feelings about Postecoglou, I nonetheless feel that this smacks of an unambitious response from Levy. He’s chosen a manager who will put up with what he is prepared to give him, and that may be the usual ‘like a Golf’ approach to buying players. My question would be how much experience Postecoglou has in achieving success in European competitions, and whether he will be able to demand top quality international players with authority. I would like it to prove different, but I feel this is an appointment designed to achieve full houses and keep the cash coming in from bar sales, rather than top four finishes. Hope I’m wrong.

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    • As I said in the piece, I don’t trust Levy’s decision-taking, and like you, I’m sure not being too demanding is a factor for him. I like to think though that this is an unmissable opportunity for Ange and he will take it on.

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  5. Thanks Alan. I’m optimistic and, hopefully this time, for good reason. I am also hoping Munn is playing a much needed role with Postecoglou’s appointment and other matters moving forward. Levy needs to stick to the non-football business matters (Spurs are quite profitable without oil money and that deserves some applause, but his football decisions have been terrible). I can’t wait to see what Postecoglou does with the existing and loaned players. COYS. Thanks again. Michael (Philadelphia)

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    • Good to hear from you Michael. Yes, his first tasks is to sort out the players we have, let alone buying upgrades. he won’t know those players well and it’s a big task. Levy and the existing staff have to ship out several players and take the financial hit so the team can move on.

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  6. El Posto needs a couple of early wins, in all senses, and his immediate tasks are winnable. First, he must eradicate the virus of unforced errors that caused so many of our problems. And he’ll inherit a team refreshed by the summer break instead of cobbling together a cock-eyed team gutted by the serial injuries that did for Toni and Stellini. Then he’ll be able to pick a team on its merits and give players like Spence a real chance to prove his worth and shake up players like Porro who looks okay going forward but is a disaster defensively – but I suppose that’s what 40 million buys you these days – half a player. Hopefully A.P. Can recreate the missing link between team and manager that was so evident with Poch and so obviously lost with Mourinho and Toni. We have the talent and if we can rediscover our team spirit and energy and identity then we can be optimistic. But I fear that AP may be a tragic figure if Kane leaves. He is half the team and if he goes then we are instantly decapitated, needing a quality replacement in addition to a new ‘keeper, centre half, and midfielder. And you don’t get that for less than 150 mill. Welcome and good luck Ange!

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    • Thanks David. The best thing for Ange is that Kane’s future is sorted early, one way or the other. I doubt that will happen if as has been reported Real Madrid and Man U are genuinely interested. Undermines a major aspect of pre-season prep if we don’t know if he will be here. Spence, porro and Udogie represent exciting front foot football, problem is, can they defend, or rather, can Ange coach them to defend?

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  7. Thanks Alan. Aiming to play front foot football, by all accounts a good motivator, good fella and tactically astute and someone who will respect Spurs and its fans. And in place early enough to give him a chance. These are enough for me for starters.

    But he can’t be expected to do it on his own. 99% of time what emerges on the pitch is the result of the ethos and actions of the club from boardroom to dressing room. That may be his biggest challenge.

    I will give him a lot of time if he tries to play good, winning football, but I don’t matter. It is Alan & the rest paying the highest prices in Europe (gulp!) who will need to be patient and won over.

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    • You do matter because you are a committed fan, wherever in the world you are when Spurs kick off. I like to think he’ll take the best from the situation but as you say, it’s all about the board at Spurs. They may cut him some slack because it’s unlikely he’ll be confrontational with them but of course that may mean nothing changes.

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  8. Guys your in for a treat, anyone who can’t or won’t cut it gets punted, anyone who thinks deserves more game time gets punted lol football is fast n furious, gets way more out of players than you would believe, great man manager who will deliver in first season or I’ll eat my cork hat, his answer when questioned on what’s your PLAN B is “make Plan A Better. I will defo be watching. Good luck enjoy. Trust in Ange

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    • That’s great to hear DB, as long as he doesn’t lose the dressing room in the process, cos, as with Mourinho, DL will favour the players given they represent a much bigger investment than the manager. Maybe that’s an issue that DL needs to rethink going forward.

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      • Alan……I’m stunned that you have exactly articulated my sentiments.

        I normally write long “essays” but won’t need to- this time round

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  9. Hi All , if we are to play this high press all action football Levy must let Ange bring in players who fit the system and we will also need players in the squad equal to the players rested due to tiredness, if the squad capable of playing this exhausting system is to small or to old we will struggle, need a centre back who can play with Romero not just the cheapest option , we also need a leader , we have no leader , would McGuire fit the centre back position, also would like Pickford who is a good organiser and a leader, have a good summer , regards , dennis hyatt

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  10. It’s going to be an interesting summer, so it’s good to see the first big decision made already. Yes, welcome Ange.

    He has some big decisions to make with the oversized playing squad over the next few weeks. We can’t keep them all and it’s time for new signings, so I reckon there’ll be quite a few departures. Not you, Harry.

    I wonder how many of last season’s returned loanees will turn out be a good fit for a changed system, assuming the defensive tactics are discarded and we revert back to playing attacking game.

    I hope we’re in for a treat and not further disappointment.

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    • Yes, Ange must have players who suit his ethos and system. The current squad is not used to playing at speed or with attacking intensity. Many will embrace it, especially the young ones who will see an opportunity for them, and we must buy with these qualities in mind. Maguire is nowhere near as bad as many make out but he’s not mobile or flexible enough.

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  13. An impressive first presser from AP. I liked the clarity in explaining the initial process in order to achieve his targets. I get the impression also that he will not get too close to the players which, I believe was Poch’s weakness.

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Comments welcome, thanks for dropping in