Page 34 - Soccer360 Issue 104

AMAZING
ANGEBALL
“POSTECOGLOU LIKES HIS TEAM TO PLAY WITH A VIBRANT, FEARLESS ATTACK-MINDED APPROACH.”
Ange Postecoglou has galvanised everyone at Tottenham with his footballing philosophy
THINGS AT TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR WERE FAR FROM CHEERFUL AFTER A DISAPPOINTING FEW YEARS, BUT NEW BOSS ANGE POSTECOGLOU’S THRILLING, ATTACK- MINDED STYLE HAS HELPED THE CLUB REDISCOVER ITS SPARK. STEPHEN DONOVAN ASSESSES HOW THE AUSTRALIAN HAS MADE SUCH A DRAMATIC IMPACT.
Amid the noise and excitement that comes with another Premier League season, just five words have dominated the narrative in a particular part of North London during
2023-24. Five words which epitomise how despair has suddenly turned to delight. Five words that are emblazoned on banners hung across the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium; sung passionately by rejuvenated supporters, and even belted out by no less than Robbie Williams himself in an instantly viral Instagram video. Five words that tell a compelling story: I’m loving Big Ange instead.
In just a matter of months, Ange Postecoglou has transformed everything at Tottenham. Appointed in the summer for his first manager’s position in any of Europe’s top leagues at the age of 57, he has turned around a difficult, almost toxic situation with seemingly minimal fuss and no small amount of style. This was a club at a low ebb, fresh from missing out on European qualification for the
first time since 2009 and losing their best player following a demoralising four-year period of decline that brought continued failure under big name coaches such as Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, as well as constant criticism of the club’s owners. Now, it’s a club that believes again.
As far as every Tottenham fan was concerned,
the end of 2022-23 was simply a case of being
put of their misery after months of breathtaking mediocrity. Expectations were high at the outset
as Conte entered his first full season in charge having made some impressive looking signings, but although results were strong initially and they were among the leading pack, performances were far from convincing.
This papering over the cracks couldn’t last forever, and Spurs gradually imploded after the turn of
the year. An exasperated Conte was sacked in March following an infamous post-match rant upon seeing his side concede two late goals to draw at
Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard (R) scores the 0-1 opening goal during the English Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC
DID YOU KNOW ?
Jeremy Doku of Manchester City celebrates scoring the 1-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth
SHOOTING FOR LOSS
As of match week 13, Everton have lost three games in the Premier League this season in which they had 10+ more shots than their opponent, the most of any team.
TOP FOUR
Aston Villa ended a day in
the Premier League’s top four positions at least 13 games into
a season for the first time since December 27th 2009 after their 2-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur.
ENGLISH ABSENCE
There were no English players in the Tottenham Hotspur starting XI against Aston Villa. It was only the second time in their history the Lilywhites fielded a starting XI without any English representatives in the Premier League, with the other instance coming in January 2021 against Brighton.
DRIBBLING JEREMY
Manchester City winger Jéremy Doku completed 11 dribbles in their home match against Liverpool, the most in a single Premier League game since September 2021 (Adama Traoré vs Brentford, also 11), while it’s the most on record (since 2006-07) a player has completed in a single Premier League game against the Merseyside outfit.
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE