Ange Postecoglou told reporters that Tottenham Hotspur’s UEFA Europa League clash with Elfsborg on Thursday is “no different to any other game,” despite the Australian finding himself under intense pressure from fans after a string of poor results.
“It’s a game I want to win,” he explained ahead of the clash in North London, “and we go into it with the same intent. It’s a competition we have done really well in to be in a great position. We want to solidify that position and finish in the top eight. That’s in our hands tomorrow night. A win makes it certain, a draw is probably going to be good enough as well.”
“Finishing in the top eight for us is hugely important, because it gives us a good foothold in the tournament and also gives us a couple of weeks where we don’t have midweek games, which at this point is really important.”
Spurs have not won a Premier League match since their victory over Manchester United on 19th December, and it has led to calls for the Australian – or indeed the club’s chairman, Daniel Levy – to step away.
Embed from Getty ImagesPostecoglou insisted that he and his players “are working hard to turn this around,” emphasising that “obviously we know the situation, notwithstanding the fact the possibilities and opportunities in the second half of this season are still very much in our hands to capitalise on and still make it a successful season.”
Club competitions have been something of a respite though, but Postecoglou told reporters during his pre-match press conference: “[Pressure] doesn’t affect me, it never has, it never will. My view on my role has never been about self-preservation or security. It’s about trying to achieve and we’re still in a position where we can do that [in the Europa League].”
“You suggest there’s a running commentary on me at the moment which is not surprising considering our league position. I don’t have to respond to that or get involved with that, it just doesn’t interest or affect me. […] People can choose to ignore it, but we’re in a great position to still achieve something special this year.”
“I’m going to push this group of players and everyone at the club to not lose sight of the fact that this is a tough spot we’re in, but the possibilities of us doing something special are still there if we work our way through it,” he assured supporters.