. The one he fielded on Wednesday was always coming.
Tottenham’s season will be on the line on Thursday night when they face AZ Alkmaar at home in the second leg of the Europa League last 16, trailing 1-0 from the first. And after the season Spurs have had, Postecoglou’s second at the club, it is plain that he could really do with a result. So, Ange, win or bust for the season and also for you and your project. How do you feel about that?
“There are not many professions in the world where you have to come in and answer questions like that, is there?” the manager glowered. “No, there isn’t. I am going to be polite and say we’re focused on winning the game and need to put in a better performance than we did last Thursday [in the first leg].”
Postecoglou would immediately bring levity. When the English-speaking TalkSport representative began his question, Postecoglou scrambled for the Uefa-issue interpretation headset and put it on. It was a funny moment, as the reporter acknowledged. “Thank you,” Postecoglou replied. “Let’s keep our sense of humour.”
It was more like the tone Postecoglou wanted to set; relaxed and positive as he seeks the right mindset from his players. He had bemoaned the absence of it during the first leg in the Netherlands when there was no intensity, no intent with or without the ball. Why had it been that way? Postecoglou said he had analysed and reviewed the game but he did not give an answer.
What is clear is that there will be a lot of emotion inside Spurs’ stadium, with the supporters almost permanently on edge these days; a lot of pressure. Postecoglou was not about to run from that. It was standard, he suggested. It can be inspiring.
“There’s always pressure and, yes, …
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