Figure 1 Angeball has proved to be a frustrating watch at times – Source: Pixabay
Tottenham fans are used to inconsistency and up-and-down form. But some of the performances this season have really tested the faith of the supporters who pay good money to watch their team. Going into the second half of the campaign, there is a chance to win three cups, while still finishing with the worst points total in the Premier League era.
Even though the media seem to think that Ange Postecoglou is constantly just a few defeats away from getting the sack, he is still popular with most people connected to the club. His vision is one to be applauded, even if the execution of his vision is not always carried out in the correct manner.
Being a Spurs fan is rarely easy and predictable but it does feel as though the current squad are really testing the faith that we put in them. At this stage of the season, with everything we have already endured, what would constitute a successful campaign?
Never Boring
If you want to have a good idea of how your football team will do every week then you should probably look elsewhere. Spurs have emphatically beaten Manchester City away from home this season, while also capitulating to Liverpool at home. Only Arne Slot’s side has scored more goals in the EPL but hardly anyone outside the bottom three has conceded as many.
The league campaign as a whole has been a mess but Tottenham remains in the FA Cup, is doing well in Europe, and could reach another Wembley final with a good result against Liverpool in the EFL Cup semifinal second leg. There seems to be no point in predicting anything that happens this season.
Angeball
The main reason why results have been all over the place is because the man in charge has a very particular way that he wants to see the game played. His philosophy is so strongly linked to him that it has been dubbed “Angeball”, after all. A football purist, Postecoglou wants to see his players pressing, leaving minimal space between the lines, and attacking at every opportunity.
When Angeball works it is a joy to behold. It is why Spurs have scored so many goals this season. But when it is ineffective it can be a very frustrating watch. His philosophy rises and falls with the players at his disposal and the problem has been that he has not had the caliber of player available enough this season.
Europe Should Be a Priority
If we are beginning to think about what would make this season successful for Spurs, prioritizing the Europa League might be a good idea. There will be plenty of fans who might consider this heresy when league position is all-important these days. But winning a European trophy for the first time in over 40 years would really justify the way the team has played.
Reaching the final of the EFL Cup would obviously be the preferred outcome in that competition but the cache of picking up continental silverware as opposed to winning a secondary domestic cup tournament is beyond compare. There are some very good teams in the Europa League but Spurs could – and probably should – be considered as one of the favorites even now.
Consolidation in League
Part of the reasoning for prioritizing the Europa League for the remainder of the season is that the league campaign has gone so very wrong. Maybe it is because English teams are more used to dealing with Angeball tactics but going into the end of January, Tottenham finds itself in the bottom half of the table and miles off qualifying for Europe next season.
However, there are some very poor clubs in the top flight this season and that should mean that Spurs would have to be much worse to really be threatened by relegation. Nothing should ever be taken for granted when it comes to the league, of course. But improving enough to finish mid-table would be just about acceptable if one or even two cup competitions could be won.
Unlucky or Naïve?
If winning the Europa League and finishing safely in the middle of the table in the league is the best Spurs fans can hope for, what has happened to put the club in that position? Is Tottenham unlucky or naïve? It will not come as a surprise to anyone to learn that it is probably a little of both for Ange’s side.
There have been far too many injuries for a team that is effectively playing two games a week every week. That fixture overload is just a fact of life for successful teams but if Postecoglou is faced with nine or ten absences some weeks, being able to compete on all fronts is never going to happen. Spurs have been very naïve defensively at times this season but keeping the faith with the philosophy will only strengthen the side.
Figure 2 Spurs fans never know what kind of performance they are about to witness – Source: Unsplash
Looking Forward to Next Season
After everything Spurs has gone through this season, the worst thing that could happen would be Postecoglou getting the sack. The reason why this team has scored a lot of goals while also conceding so many is because of the tactics the players are told to follow. If the architect of those instructions leaves, the development we have seen since Postecoglou’s arrival will have been for nothing.
Tottenham fans are usually very realistic about the weaknesses in their team but just ask for the players to put in 100% every game. Things will get better if the manager is given more time and if his players are celebrating a European triumph at the end of this season it will have been a good campaign – with plenty to look forward to next year.
