Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham have reached a point where even the “good stuff” they produce will attract an element of criticism.
The Spurs head coach was responding to a question about Mathys Tel, who struck a last-minute penalty to safeguard a 3-1 win over Southampton on Sunday, despite Brennan Johnson having the opportunity to complete a hat-trick.
Spurs’ victory over bottom club Saints – who were relegated in the process – was their first in five Premier League outings as they languish 14th in the table, having lost 16 league games this season.
“We scored, we won. Delighted. It’s incredible. If we’re 2-1 up and we get a penalty in the last minute, I want our best penalty taker to take it,” Postecoglou said.
Premier League highlights of the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton.
“The one slight against this club is that it hasn’t been a winner. The winners’ mentality in the last minute is to score. We scored and somehow, in this alternate universe, everything Tottenham does is negative.”
Tottenham travel to Wolves at the weekend with the third-worst away record in the division, but before then return to Europa League action by hosting Eintracht Frankfurt, with many suggesting Postecoglou’s future at the club could depend on whether or not he can salvage a poor season by ending the club’s trophy drought.
Opta places their chances of winning the competition at 17 per cent.
Mathys Tel’s injury-time penalty sealed Sunday’s win for Spurs despite Brennan Johnson’s frustration at not taking the spot kick
Spurs have only won one of their last 13 major European quarter-final matches, but have triumphed in two previous home games against Thursday’s opponents Frankfurt, who won the Europa League themselves in 2022.
“Even the good stuff we may do is turned into ‘glass half-empty’ rhetoric,” Postecoglou continued. “That can’t be a driver. The lads are keen to bring success to the club, keeping driving the principles of this journey in terms of playing our football.
“Hopefully we worked our way into a position where we can make an impact on a disappointing season. I don’t think I can win the argument of convincing people. The general sentiment of people is ‘even if I win [the Europa League] I’m gone anyway’.
“We’re in a quarter-final, we don’t want to let that slip us by or have the wrong mindset. I think the players are handling it well, embracing the challenge.”
Wilson Odobert scored twice as Tottenham overcame a scare by AZ Alkmaar in the last round
Tottenham’s injury woes have eased considerably, however the main miss will be Dejan Kulusevski, who has three goal contributions in Europe this year, while Kevin Danso also remains absent.
Postecoglou added: “We’ve got ourselves into a position where we have an opportunity to progress to the final stages. We have to focus on having a strong home performance.
“It’s important we play the football we want to play, we’re getting ourselves back into maintaining our levels.
“I’ve said before [criticism] isn’t what drives me. I came with a clear vision – changing the way the team plays to rejuvenate the squad, because it was coming to the end of a cycle. Irrespective of noise, I don’t see why that should diminish my ambition and desire to make that happen.
“Anything you achieve in life usually comes with a struggle. This is just another struggle. Never have I thought I’ve lost the will to fight. I’ll continue to do that.”
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
5 big questions for the Dodgers: With eyes on a three-peat, will L.A. bolster its outfield? Add more in the bullpen?
The Los Angeles Dodgers can do whatever they want.MLB’s two-time defending champs, the sport’s new evil empire, remain a juggernaut of horrifying proportions. Their dominance was laid bare on the diamond in October, and it might take center stage once again during hot stove season. That’s because president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is able to conduct business with (1) a seemingly bottomless budget and (2) one of the best farm systems in the game.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs the Dodgers seek to upgrade and revitalize their roster for a three-peat, Friedman can wield the organization’s unprecedented might in both free agency and the trade market. Los Angeles already pounced on the former, signing Edwin Díaz, one of the best relief pitchers in the world, to a three-year, $69 million deal. And still they lurk, like Jaws in Edgartown, waiting to strike on their […]
Fantasy Football Week 16 Waiver Wire: Kickers to consider streaming
It's Week 16 and don't underestimate the power of a kicker streamer for the fantasy football playoffs. We've seen plenty of kickers overlooked week-to-week despite being great fantasy options. Below we're going to go over some potential adds via Justin Boone's weekly waiver wire column for Week 16.PlayerNext UpRosteredEddy Pineiroat IND17%Andy Borregalesat BAL14%Jake Elliottat WAS42%Riley Pattersonvs. CIN5%Will Reichardat NYG24%Eddy Pineiro at Colts: The Colts just played in a FG-fest with the Seahawks where Jason Myers finished with a week-high 24 fantasy points. Pineiro returned from a brief injury absence in Week 15 and posted 14 fantasy points vs. the Titans. Indy's defense is just good enough to slow down San Fran and force some FG attempts.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAndy Borregales at Ravens: Given how productive the Patriots offense has been, Borregales is in a good spot to stream this week. He's posted at […]
Fantasy Football Week 16 Waiver Wire: D/ST options to consider streaming
We're into Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season and fantasy football is slowly coming to an end. If you're reading this article it means you're looking for some streaming options for your fantasy football playoff matchup, either the first round or semifinals. Here are some good D/ST to add based on Justin Boone's waiver wire column for Week 16.Bills D/ST is 54% rostered but would be the No. 1 D/ST add if available.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementChiefs D/ST is 57% rostered but would be the No. 2 D/ST add if available.TeamNext UpRosteredSaintsvs. NYJ17%Vikingsat NYG35%Buccaneersat CAR48%Cowboysvs. LAC35%Saints vs. Jets: New Orleans' D/ST hasn't been a great option for fantasy lately with 14 combined points over the past three games. But the Jets are a great matchup, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing D/ST units this season. New York QB Brady Cook threw three […]
Salah would regret leaving Liverpool in January, says Carra
Jamie Carragher doesn't see Mohamed Salah playing for Liverpool next season but thinks the forward should delay any immediate thoughts about quitting the club in January to secure a fitting Anfield send-off at the end of the season.Salah appeared to be emotional during what looked like a lap of appreciation after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brighton at Anfield as he prepares to go off and represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. The 33-year-old started on the bench against Brighton but was introduced as a first-half and provided an assist for Hugo Ekitike. It took his tally for goal involvements up to 277 for the Reds in the Premier League, which is more than any other player has managed for a single club. It remains to be seen whether that is his last contribution for Liverpool but Carragher, who strongly criticised the forward for […]
Titans DT Jeffery Simmons has home broken into during road loss to 49ers
At least six suspects broke into the home of Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on Sunday night while he was with the team in California during their 37-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.Multiple items were stolen from Simmons’ Nashville-area home, police said, after suspects smashed glass to enter the home shortly after 7 p.m. on Sunday. Nobody was home during the time of the burglary. An investigation is ongoing. It’s unclear what specifically was stolen."Team security is actively working with Metro Nashville Police Department to recover items stolen from Jeffery Simmons' house. No residents were home during the burglary," the Titans said in a statement, via The Tennessean.Simmons, police said, called them about the break-in after he arrived back in Tennessee on Monday morning. He shared a video that appeared to show the burglars walking up to his […]
Commanders shut down QB Jayden Daniels for rest of season
The Washington Commanders have decided to shut down quarterback Jayden Daniels for the rest of the season.Head coach Dan Quinn announced the decision to reporters on Monday, calling it "part medical, part team." With Washington out of the playoff picture, backup Marcus Mariota is scheduled to start the final three games of the season, including a Christmas matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDaniels initially dislocated the elbow on his non-throwing arm late in a blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9. He missed three games, then returned to play against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. Daniels aggravated the injury against the Vikings when he landed on his elbow while being tackled. He has not played since.Jayden Daniels' disappointing 2025 season is done. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)Mariota completed the 31-0 loss to the Vikings, then started in Sunday's 29-21 win over […]
Related
5 big questions for the Dodgers: With eyes on a three-peat, will L.A. bolster its outfield? Add more in the bullpen?
The Los Angeles Dodgers can do whatever they want.MLB’s two-time defending champs, the sport’s new evil empire, remain a juggernaut of horrifying proportions. Their dominance was laid bare on the diamond in October, and it might take center stage once again during hot stove season. That’s because president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is able to conduct business with (1) a seemingly bottomless budget and (2) one of the best farm systems in the game.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs the Dodgers seek to upgrade and revitalize their roster for a three-peat, Friedman can wield the organization’s unprecedented might in both free agency and the trade market. Los Angeles already pounced on the former, signing Edwin Díaz, one of the best relief pitchers in the world, to a three-year, $69 million deal. And still they lurk, like Jaws in Edgartown, waiting to strike on their […]
Fantasy Football Week 16 Waiver Wire: Kickers to consider streaming
It's Week 16 and don't underestimate the power of a kicker streamer for the fantasy football playoffs. We've seen plenty of kickers overlooked week-to-week despite being great fantasy options. Below we're going to go over some potential adds via Justin Boone's weekly waiver wire column for Week 16.PlayerNext UpRosteredEddy Pineiroat IND17%Andy Borregalesat BAL14%Jake Elliottat WAS42%Riley Pattersonvs. CIN5%Will Reichardat NYG24%Eddy Pineiro at Colts: The Colts just played in a FG-fest with the Seahawks where Jason Myers finished with a week-high 24 fantasy points. Pineiro returned from a brief injury absence in Week 15 and posted 14 fantasy points vs. the Titans. Indy's defense is just good enough to slow down San Fran and force some FG attempts.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAndy Borregales at Ravens: Given how productive the Patriots offense has been, Borregales is in a good spot to stream this week. He's posted at […]
Fantasy Football Week 16 Waiver Wire: D/ST options to consider streaming
We're into Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season and fantasy football is slowly coming to an end. If you're reading this article it means you're looking for some streaming options for your fantasy football playoff matchup, either the first round or semifinals. Here are some good D/ST to add based on Justin Boone's waiver wire column for Week 16.Bills D/ST is 54% rostered but would be the No. 1 D/ST add if available.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementChiefs D/ST is 57% rostered but would be the No. 2 D/ST add if available.TeamNext UpRosteredSaintsvs. NYJ17%Vikingsat NYG35%Buccaneersat CAR48%Cowboysvs. LAC35%Saints vs. Jets: New Orleans' D/ST hasn't been a great option for fantasy lately with 14 combined points over the past three games. But the Jets are a great matchup, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing D/ST units this season. New York QB Brady Cook threw three […]
Salah would regret leaving Liverpool in January, says Carra
Jamie Carragher doesn't see Mohamed Salah playing for Liverpool next season but thinks the forward should delay any immediate thoughts about quitting the club in January to secure a fitting Anfield send-off at the end of the season.Salah appeared to be emotional during what looked like a lap of appreciation after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brighton at Anfield as he prepares to go off and represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. The 33-year-old started on the bench against Brighton but was introduced as a first-half and provided an assist for Hugo Ekitike. It took his tally for goal involvements up to 277 for the Reds in the Premier League, which is more than any other player has managed for a single club. It remains to be seen whether that is his last contribution for Liverpool but Carragher, who strongly criticised the forward for […]
Titans DT Jeffery Simmons has home broken into during road loss to 49ers
At least six suspects broke into the home of Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on Sunday night while he was with the team in California during their 37-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.Multiple items were stolen from Simmons’ Nashville-area home, police said, after suspects smashed glass to enter the home shortly after 7 p.m. on Sunday. Nobody was home during the time of the burglary. An investigation is ongoing. It’s unclear what specifically was stolen."Team security is actively working with Metro Nashville Police Department to recover items stolen from Jeffery Simmons' house. No residents were home during the burglary," the Titans said in a statement, via The Tennessean.Simmons, police said, called them about the break-in after he arrived back in Tennessee on Monday morning. He shared a video that appeared to show the burglars walking up to his […]
Commanders shut down QB Jayden Daniels for rest of season
The Washington Commanders have decided to shut down quarterback Jayden Daniels for the rest of the season.Head coach Dan Quinn announced the decision to reporters on Monday, calling it "part medical, part team." With Washington out of the playoff picture, backup Marcus Mariota is scheduled to start the final three games of the season, including a Christmas matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDaniels initially dislocated the elbow on his non-throwing arm late in a blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9. He missed three games, then returned to play against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. Daniels aggravated the injury against the Vikings when he landed on his elbow while being tackled. He has not played since.Jayden Daniels' disappointing 2025 season is done. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)Mariota completed the 31-0 loss to the Vikings, then started in Sunday's 29-21 win over […]
Be the first to leave a comment