Premier League clubs deliver telling Postecoglou Spurs verdict after key change

Ange Postecoglou and his Tottenham side have come in for plenty of praise since the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham side have made a fine start to the new Premier League season (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Ange Postecoglou has made quite the impression in the Premier League since taking on the Tottenham hotseat. Seen as the man to revitalise Spurs’ fortunes after missing out on Europe altogether last campaign, the Australian has enjoyed an excellent start in his first five games in charge of the Lilywhites.

Currently sitting second in the table following three wins and one draw from their first four Premier League fixtures, Tottenham have caught the eye playing the 58-year-old’s brand of attacking football. The goals are flowing as a result, with only Brighton & Hove Albion (12) scoring more goals than Spurs’ 11 this season.

Outstanding in the opening weeks of the campaign, it does appear that there is still so much more to come from Postecoglou’s Tottenham team. Here’s what the opposition have had to say about the head coach and Tottenham so far this season:

Thomas Frank on Postecoglou

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“Tottenham are one of the biggest clubs in the world,” explained the Dane. “They are a very good team with fantastic players. They have appointed an exciting coach in Ange (Postecoglou). What he did at Celtic was very impressive, and what he’s trying to do now at Tottenham looks exciting.”

Frank on the difference between Postecoglou’s Tottenham and Conte’s Tottenham

“More offensive-minded definitely. I think everyone could see that,” he replied. “No surprise compared to what I’ve seen in the four friendlies that we watched back and also Ange’s Celtic team.”

Rico Henry on Tottenham’s midfield

“It was difficult for us because they kept the ball well with [James] Maddison and [Yves] Bissouma in the middle,” admitted the left-back. “There wasn’t much we could do to get forward until we got the ball and tried to hit them on the counter attack, which we did a couple of times.”

Bruno Fernandes on Tottenham

“Of course it [the feeling in the stadium] changed,” explained the Manchester United captain. “They get the motivation, on their side [it] was higher. They get pushed by the fans. But either way we still had some chances where we could score, we didn’t. And after, obviously you concede the second goal and starting from there on, you start to try to get one goal, you go with people in front, you give them some counters, you give them some moments to have the ball.

“They have a new manager, a new philosophy, different ideas. They are playing really well,” said the Spaniard. “It’s going to be tough to keep the ball, because they always want the ball, they want to dictate and control the games, the same as they did the other day against United. But we want to do the same, so it is going to be a good fight.

“They have a lot of threats. Everyone is talking about Son, Kulusevski or Richarlison, the offensive players and they are very good. Bissouma is playing very, very good football and I think Udogie is very good playing in this position, a little bit inside, sometimes outside, attacking the half spaces. We have to take care of a lot of things.”

Iraola on Tottenham’s midfield

“In the first half we put them in really difficult positions,” he admitted. “Bissouma, Maddison were in really difficult positions but they were good, they were winning duels even with a man on their back, they were protecting the ball well, and probably we didn’t regain many balls because, for me, they could sustain a very good press.

Vincent Kompany on Postecoglou

“I’ve been following Ange Postecoglou for a long time. You can see his team play the same way in Japan, Celtic and now Tottenham,” he said. “These managers have a very clear idea of what they want to achieve. His mentality and competitiveness is something that will eventually lead to results. I enjoy watching his teams and I’m sure Spurs fans will too.”

Kompany after Spurs delivered a masterclass at Turf Moor

“I don’t think anyone is naïve going into this division. We know it’s a challenge and if you look at the total amount of points that the promoted teams have got so far this season you realise every game is going to be tough,” said the Man City legend.

Josh Brownhill on facing Tottenham

“You know they’re a good team with some very good players and when they get a chance, they put it away,” said the midfielder. “It’s very, very disappointing to be honest, when we go a goal or two goals down, our heads go down and we need to get our heads up, there’s still a lot of the game to play. Overall, it’s very disappointing really.”

He added: “It’s knowing when you play these teams, they are very good teams it’s hard to get anything from them. Tottenham have started this season very, very well, they’ve recruited some really good players.”