Spurs great Glenn Hoddle has criticized Ange Postecoglou personally.Getty Image
The legendary player for Tottenham, Glenn Hoddle, admitted that he was “worried” by Ange Postecoglou’s tactics during their 4-1 loss to Chelsea. He said bluntly that a youth team could have defeated the league’s top team. After his side was reduced to nine men with the score still tied at one, Postecoglou took an extremely high defensive stance.
On November 6, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie were sent off for Spurs in a wild match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But Postecoglou insisted that his team push higher up the pitch in search of the winning goal, rather than frantically scrounging for a point.
But Nicolas Jackson’s late hat-trick gave Chelsea the victory over their London rivals. Hoddle, a former player and manager for Spurs, thinks a team composed of kids could have defeated Spurs’ nine players.
When asked about Postecoglou’s early Spurs career, Hoddle said to talkSPORT, “I have a few little suspicions.” When we played like we did and were down to nine men, I became concerned. That’s okay if Ange wishes to do that.
“But, I’ve played football long enough to know that with only nine men on the field, you cannot apply pressure to the ball. Isn’t it true that sometimes there are horses for courses? I’m not trying to be pessimistic.
Hoddle went on: “I was obviously hoping Spurs would win it.” In spite of my fantastic three years at Chelsea, I am a Spurs fan and have been one since I was eight years old.
Thoughts of “Any team in the world – even a youth team – would have broken that down” crossed my mind as I sat there. In any case, that’s my interpretation. If Ange is responding with a “No, we’re going on the front foot,” though, that’s encouraging.
His reasoning is that he will be able to exert some pressure and get players forward if he positions the back four on the halfway line. Son had a last-second opportunity to tie the score at 2-2.
“I’ve played football long enough to know they will eventually break down, but Ange’s theory is highly encouraging. All Chelsea had to do was time their runs.
Postecoglou is adamant that his side will never compromise on its values. “It’s just who we are,” he said to Sky Sports following the match, which marked his first loss in English football. We will remain that way as long as I am here. When it comes down to five men, we’ll try.
Prior to this, the Australian led Spurs to the summit of the Premier League and they went on a ten-game winning streak. However, Spurs have dropped to fourth place as a result of back-to-back losses to Wolves and Chelsea, as well as a plethora of injuries and suspensions.
