Why Tottenham Fans Should Still Give Ange Postecoglou the Benefit of the Doubt

After concluding the 2023/24 Premier League season in fifth place, narrowly missing the Champions League by just two points following a late-season dip, the long-suffering supporters of Tottenham Hotspur still found reasons to celebrate.

Under the stewardship of Ange Postecoglou, the Lilywhites have rediscovered their identity, once more showcasing the dynamic and attacking style of football they were historically known for, a trait that had noticeably diminished, especially during Antonio Conte’s tenure.

Any reservations the north London fans had regarding Postecoglou’s fit for the role were quickly put to rest as he got off to a flying start in N17.

It wasn’t until Spurs faced Chelsea in November 2023 that Postecoglou experienced his first Premier League defeat, by which time his name was already echoing from the terraces at both home and away matches.

Although Tottenham’s form eventually wavered, the manager remained steadfast to his principles of play, prioritising his philosophy even if it led to some games ending in draws or losses.

Duelling fans of Manchester United may currently feel a curious bond, given Ruben Amorim’s commitment to his approach, regardless of his team’s poor run since he took over.

Even though the wheels haven’t completely fallen off this season, Tottenham currently resides in 13th place (with United just one spot lower but tied on points), leading to justified scrutiny of their performance.

Nevertheless, it would be a disservice to overlook the string of severe injuries that Postecoglou has faced in recent months. At one point, 11 players from his first-team squad were unavailable, many of whom were key figures and thus significant losses.

This adversity hasn’t stopped the north Londoners from controlling substantial portions of possession in some matches, as demonstrated by the following graphic from their encounter against Manchester United.

Considering this, the statistics under his management are remarkably uplifting.

So far, Postecoglou has presided over 66 Premier League matches, securing 30 wins, 10 draws, and 26 losses.

During his tenure, Tottenham has netted 129 goals, boasting an acceptable return of one goal every two games.

Expanding this to all competitions, his side has played 85 matches, winning 41, drawing 13, and losing 31, which translates to a win percentage of 48.2%.

With a total of 161 goals scored, they maintain a commendable scoring rate.

When compared directly to Conte, a manager with a higher profile, the statistics still hold up. The Italian managed 74 games, achieving 40 wins, 12 draws, and 22 losses. Notably, Conte also had Harry Kane at his disposal, something Postecoglou has yet to experience.

Conte’s total of 132 goals scored is significantly lower, even though his overall win percentage is the highest of any manager in the past decade (54%, shared with Mauricio Pochettino).

José Mourinho’s win rate was slightly above that of Postecoglou at 49.4%, securing 41 wins from 83 games, matching Postecoglou’s total in just two fewer matches.

In terms of victories, Postecoglou’s 25 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium equals Mourinho’s and is only one less than Conte. His 16 away wins match Mourinho’s tally, and are two more than Conte’s.

Diving further back, Mauricio Pochettino achieved a solid 157 victories from his 291 matches, with 62 draws and 72 losses.

Many would argue that the style of football exhibited by Pochettino’s teams was the finest in the last decade, having taken the team to a UEFA Champions League final in 2019 and striving for the Premier League title during his spell, which lends credence to that assertion.

However, to present a balanced view, it’s essential to consider the length of time afforded to ‘Poch’ to get things right.

Moreover, the undeniable truth is that even then, chairman Daniel Levy did not appear willing to invest in the caliber of signings that could elevate the club to new heights.

Since then, Spurs seem to have taken a step backwards, although one cannot deny that the style of play Postecoglou has introduced matches that of Pochettino’s adventurous teams.

If there is a downside to the Australian’s reign, it lies in the number of goals his squad has conceded; a total of 125 across all competitions, which far exceeds Mourinho’s 99 and Conte’s 81, possibly contributing to the growing restlessness among fans.

While football is undeniably a results-driven sport, the heightened sense of immediacy now prevalent amongst certain fan bases is unhealthy.

From Tottenham’s standpoint, it’s crucial for the club to introspect and clarify what they truly require from their manager and the team.

Are they after a vibrant, attacking style that delights the eyes yet may concede more goals than desired, or do they prefer a more conservative approach where Spurs grind out narrow wins?

In many ways, it’s a balancing act that Postecoglou is currently unable to juggle successfully unless his squad remains injury-free, and the club’s board supports him with the necessary signings to make a meaningful impact. Should this happen, he would have no excuses if the results falter.

If the board continues to cave into fan pressure every 18-24 months, it only perpetuates the status quo from recent seasons and fuels the unending cycle of managerial changes.

While there is certainly potential for improvement in the existing Spurs squad, overlooking that would be misguided. However, if the pieces align properly, there’s little doubt that Postecoglou can fulfil his ambition of restoring silverware to a club that has been deprived of it since their 2008 League Cup triumph against Chelsea.

For a club of Tottenham’s stature, that drought is far too long and unless they wish to see a recurring ‘Groundhog Day’ scenario this summer, something—preferably not the manager—must change.