Tottenham cult hero insists Ange Postecoglou can end Spurs hoodoo
Tottenham is mired in a horror 16-year trophy drought and a Spurs great has made a huge call about the club’s Aussie manager.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tottenham legend Gus Poyet believes Australian Ange Postecoglou can win the Carabao Cup and end Spurs’ miserable trophyless run.
The North Londoners haven’t won any silverware since 2008, when they lifted the League Cup after beating Chelsea 2-1 in the final.
Every qualifying session and race from the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
Postecoglou’s side didn’t convince that this streak will be coming to an end this season after a poor showing at Coventry in the Carabao Cup, snatching a late 2-1 victory on Thursday (AEST).
The Aussie tactician issued a defiant statement last week, however, when he insisted he “always” wins silverware in his second year in charge of any team.
Poyet loved the Tottenham manager’s confidence after years of predecessors compromising for a top-four spot and believes his former club finally has a winner in the dugout.
The Chelsea legend had a blunt reply to SunSport on behalf of William Hill when asked if Postecoglou can win the Carabao Cup: “Yes. I think it is the first time in many, many years that we’ve seen a coach saying, ‘I’m gonna win something’.
“Before that it was always qualifying for the Champions League. So why not?
“I mean, about the performances or about how the team plays, it’s difficult to make an opinion.
“You know, the coaches, we’re looking for a different thing but at the end of the day you have to win football games.
“Your identity is very important because that way you have consistency.
“But in cup games, you need to win. I mean, I don’t remember anyone saying, ‘Yeah, we won the cup but we really played bad’.
“So nobody will remember how they played at Coventry if they win the Carabao Cup.
“So it’s a matter of getting through and winning the final. I don’t remember anyone complaining about winning in a final playing badly.”
Poyet, though, understands it won’t be easy for Tottenham to surpass other cup favourites, such as Manchester City, Liverpool and London rivals Arsenal.
The ex-Brighton boss believes Spurs could do with a bit of luck in the draw but also says Postecoglou will have to find consistency to finally end those 16 years of hurt following a poor start in the Premier League.
Uruguayan Poyet said: “There’s two different situations in here. One is the draw. You need to be lucky. The other situation, I think it’s always more or less the same.
“I don’t think there’s too much difference to Spurs from this year and last year, (Dominic) Solanke maybe, the striker. You need to start scoring.
“I think the situation now with Spurs is more about consistency.
“Everybody wants consistency, one that will help win football games constantly, every weekend, big derbies, all those situations.”
Poyet maintains strong belief in Postecoglou and advised Tottenham chiefs to back him.
But the ex-Sunderland boss also urged the players to step up for the 59-year-old head coach.
Poyet added: “I’m always in the situation of, let’s wait, give the coach a chance and let’s wait. And then the players, they need to do their jobs.
“(Managers) are part of the staff to try to help the players to go and win for them. But the ones that play are the players.
“I believed in this when I was a player. I needed to play. I needed to perform. I needed to read the game. I needed to take the decisions. I needed to do the right thing.
“If I got one chance I needed to score that one. Not next week. So I really believed that when I was a player and I didn’t change.
“Now I’m a coach. Now, the more we help them, the more we clarify things or convene things, the team plays better and wins football games.
“So I think now every single Spurs player knows clearly his role. So now they need to do it.”
Four matches into the new Premier League season, Tottenham are down in 13th place after one win, a draw and two defeats to date.
Spurs will know their fourth-round Carabao Cup opponent after next week’s slate of games, while they will also contest this year’s FA Cup and the Europa league in pursuit of silverware.
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission
Originally published as Tottenham cult hero insists Ange Postecoglou can end Spurs hoodoo
Whateley’s perfect call for ‘Messi’ moment
Gryan Miers’ moment of magic brought back memories of a hilarious viral incident during Saturday’s huge final at the MCG.
Slater: Player mutiny could follow Arnold exit
Fans may have fallen out of love with Graham Arnold, but the players hadn’t. ROBBIE SLATER writes that the new Socceroos coach will need to mend bridges or risk them heading for the exit door too.
Timing intrigue as likely Arnold replacement emerges
Tony Popovic is shaping as the top candidate to replace Graham Arnold at the Socceroos – but circumstances suggest the coach was approached months before Arnold handed in his resignation letter writes ERIN SMITH.
Postecoglou full of praise for Arnold
Former Socceroos mentor Ange Postecoglou has acknowledged Graham Arnold’s work and performance as national coach.
Revealed: The top contenders to be the Socceroos’ next coach
Graham Arnold’s tenure as coach of the Socceroos is over and Football Australia are not wasting any time finding a replacement with an announcement expected within the next few weeks. Here are the frontrunners.
Socceroos set for swift coach replacement
Graham Arnold’s decision to quit as coach of the Socceroos seemingly came from nowhere but his bosses were ready and have been looking at replacements.