Ange Postecoglou has started life superbly at Tottenham – but let's not ignore the fact what happened on Monday was utter madness.
And no I’m not talking about the VAR chaos in Spurs’ 4-1 thrashing by London rivals Chelsea. This is about the tactics employed by the former Celtic manager when his side went down to 9 men.
Hailed for the high line by some when instead he should be ridiculed that he continued to persist with it when his centre back pairing was Eric Dier and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Postecoglou should be grateful it wasn’t swashbuckling Manchester City or Liverpool he was playing.
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The Spurs boss got lucky it was an out-of-form and out-of-favour Chelsea side – who seemed perplexed by the idea of offside – rather than one of the Premier League’s free-scoring sides. It would have been utter humiliation if Erling Haaland or Mo Salah ran rampant rather than the painful Chelsea attack struggling to break the lines.
And they still managed to do it more than the three times they scored when Spurs were down to nine. City and Liverpool would have been much more ruthless. What he was thinking was bizarre. Tottenham were level in the game and had a point in their grasp to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
What did you make of Ange Postecoglou's tactics against Chelsea? Let us know in the comments section.
Yet what Postecoglou did gets praise? Why? Because he seems to be a nice fella and throws in a few ‘mates’ in his friendly tone? Just imagine what the reaction would have been like if it was Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag. What would the fall out have been if the Dutchman pulled off tactics of putting a makeshift backline on the halfway line and said to the opposition ‘run into that space’ for the best part of 40 minutes?
It certainly wouldn’t have brought about praise from the likes of Jamie Carragher. Instead it would have been another stick to beat him with. Yet here was the Spurs manager blowing an unbeaten start to the season with clear ill discipline in his side and then utter crazy tactics and he was getting credit?
Postecoglou's responsibility is to get the best result for his team, not sticking to a style because that’s how he wants to play football. Jurgen Klopp hates negative and defensive tactics but, when his side had players sent off at Newcastle and Tottenham this season, he adapted and got three points across the two games. It was only a late own goal which cost the Reds against Spurs too.
Tottenham blew the chance of getting a point and suffered a heavy defeat when some tactical tweaks could have avoided at least one or both. Maybe if they’re a point or a goal shy of a Champions League place in May then Postecoglou will get criticised for it.
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Celtic took another thumping in Europe this week in another shambolic showing for a Scottish side on the continent.
And the question is again posed as to why the biggest club north of the border is struggling so badly in Europe’s top competition having not got out of the groups since 2013?
Well, a look at the financial figures will tell you one of the major reasons. Yes, Celtic are a huge brand and sell out every week but the money the Scottish league brings in for TV is pitiful. The SPL current TV deal equates to about £30m a year. Serie B in Italy TV rights are worth £34.5m.
On FC Copenhagen, everyone shouted, ‘They can beat Manchester United why can’t Celtic beat Atletico Madrid?’, it’s worth noting the Danish top tier deal is worth £37.5m. As with most things in football these days, it’s down to the money.
ONSIDE
Lyle Foster. Seeking help when needed with the support of his club.
OFFSIDE
Mikel Areta. Now moaning about VAR. Likes to complain a little too much.
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