Anti-thesis to Plan A under Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur
Simple, out-there, yet effective football. That is the mantra of Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou. Teams know what to expect of Spurs, but the quality of work should remain so high that even with a million notes, the opposition doesn’t know how to handle Big Ange’s side.
Postecoglou stands famous for his relentless belief in his football philosophy, often summed up by his famous quote, “Plan B is to make Plan A work.” This approach centred around a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation, has seen the Lilywhites play some of their best football under the Australian manager.
However, the Premier League is a different beast altogether—a league where adaptability is key, and a rigid approach can often see themselves punished. Our Plan A for last season couldn’t outlast the Chelsea (H) game. To thrive in this environment, even the most steadfast managers need a Plan B.
If executed well theoretically, Tottenham are nearly unbeatable. However, football is not played on notebooks and Microsoft Excel. There has to be some way we have to adapt to situations which will help the club in the long run, without any doubt.
Any team wanting to win silverware will have a hallmark style of play but at the same time, these teams will have shown great deals of versatility and adaptability when it comes to playing against sides that play a distinct style of football. Let’s see three ways Spurs can set up when Plan A isn’t clicking.
3-4-3
Even though he has not started with this formation, but Big Ange has finished games in this fashion. Take our game against Everton (A) for example. he got on Radu Dragusin for James Maddison towards the end of the game. Even though that move did not pay any dividend as Jarrad Branthwaite scored late to salvage a point for The Toffees, it shows that Ange would do things and make changes one would not expect him to do.
In theory, the 3-4-3 formation provides a solid alternative to Postecoglou’s preferred 4-2-3-1, particularly in matches where Tottenham need more width or face teams that crowd the midfield. This system allows the wing-backs to push high up the pitch, creating overloads on the flanks and allowing Spurs to stretch opponents who are defending in a low block.
Three at the back?
The three central defenders provide a stable foundation at the back, allowing the wing-backs—likely Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro—to bomb forward with greater freedom. This would suit Spurs, as both Udogie and Porro are more effective going forward than in their defensive duties. With two central midfielders providing balance, this system can offer the defensive solidity that Postecoglou’s high-risk, high-reward 4-2-3-1 sometimes lacks.
The front three can be composed of two wingers, such as Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-min Son, flanking a central striker like Dominik Solanke. This not only gives Tottenham more width but also allows their creative players to find pockets of space, dragging defenders out of position and opening up gaps in the opposition’s backline.
However, this approach requires disciplined wing-backs who can balance their attacking and defensive duties. We can only hope that Porro and Destiny perform their duties well. Adding to this, all of the three centre-backs have to be excellent on the ball to play out from the back.
Our midfield may feel light at times, but that is the game. We have to somewhat adapt and find ways. Keeping all of this in mind, a 3-4-3 formation has a good number of positives as well as a decent number of downsides. Unlike his style of play, Ange should strive to find a balance if he opts for this style of play.
4-4-2
We are an English club after all. Back to the basics. Classic formation. The backbone of multiple strong teams throughout the 90s. While it might seem outdated to some, it offers a more structured and balanced approach, which could be invaluable in games where Spurs need to solidify their midfield and provide more support to the striker.
Postecoglou could partner Solanke with a second striker like Richarlison, who can drop deeper when necessary to link play with the midfield. Or if Solanke does that, put Werner in who will break defensive lines with his pace. This system also allows Tottenham to maintain two banks of four when defending, making it harder for opponents to find space between the lines—a common issue when playing a 4-2-3-1.
With two traditional wingers and a more compact midfield, Tottenham could better manage games where they are under pressure. This formation is particularly effective against teams that like to dominate possession, as it enables quick transitions from defence to attack with two strikers ready to capitalise on counter-attacks. However, this will reduce the impact of creative players like James Maddison or Mikey Moore.
Most teams play a three-man midfield and this approach has one more downside which will see Tottenham underpowered in the middle of the park, as the two wide players would not be as resolute in defensive transition compared to the two in the centre of the pitch.
4-3-3
Take a leaf out of the Jurgen Klopp book. One of the most dominating Premier League managers in recent years. Even though he lacks the silverware Pep Guardiola possesses, one could argue that teams would rather watch a Klopp side in action than Pep. Lightning quick transitions and strong in defence with a single-pivot DM like Fabinho.
In this formation, a midfield trio of Yves Bissouma/Pape Matar Sarr, James Maddison, and Rodrigo Bentancur could provide the perfect blend of creativity, work rate, and defensive solidity. Bissouma/Sarr could take on the role of the deep-lying playmaker/out-and-out DM, while Maddison operates further forward, with Bentancur covering the gaps and providing box-to-box energy.
Up front, the three attackers could include Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski on the wings, with Solanke leading the line as the central striker. This allows Tottenham to stretch the opposition horizontally while maintaining a strong central presence, making it harder for opponents to dominate possession or break through the middle.
Make no mistake that the midfield has to have runners. Absolute engines. Nothing less than a 6.2V8. If he gets this style of play right, he could totally ace the Premier League. A 4-3-3 is a top-class setup and has very little shortcomings. However, they could prove to be costly if not catered to properly. All in all, adaptability is key.
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While the boss’ commitment to his 4-2-3-1 formation has brought Tottenham some thrilling football, the Premier League is unforgiving, and the ability to adapt is crucial. By having a flexible approach with alternative formations like the 3-4-3, 4-4-2, and 4-3-3, Spurs can ensure they are not caught out when Plan A isn’t working.
To be fair to Ange Postecoglou, we might have not seen the best of his Plan A YET, but does it hurt to have alternatives? Absolutely not.
