Ange Postecoglou reviews Antonin Kinsky’s start to life at Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou admits one part of Antonin Kinsky’s game will be severely tested in his first North London Derby this evening and explains why the Tottenham goalkeeper has a big role to play in the high-pressure encounter.
Can Antonin Kinsky continue building on his impressive start?
Antonin Kinsky has had a dream start at Tottenham, having been impeccable in the Carabao Cup win over Liverpool and the FA Cup win away at Tamworth.
If the 21-year-old did have any nerves, he did not show it, appearing extremely calm and composed with the ball at his feet.
The goalkeeper will now get his first taste of what it is like to play in a North London derby, and he will experience an atmosphere unlike any he has in his short career so far as he gets set to walk out at the Emirates Stadium.
Ange Postecoglou admits Kinsky will face a different challenge
While the Tottenham newcomer has received a lot of praise for his ability on the ball, his command of the six-yard box has been just as impressive, with the goalkeeper not being afraid to come out and claim crosses.
Postecoglou admits that Kinsky’s ability to deal with corner kicks will be tested this evening, given how effective the Gunners are in those situations
The Tottenham head coach said about the 21-year-old (via Football.London): “It’s a different challenge but it’s more to do with mindset in that he’s prepared to embrace that challenge, and the challenge we found in the last game when we found out just how strong they are on offensive set pieces and the players they’ve got in terms of both delivery and execution.
“You need to be well organised, but you also need your goalkeeper to play a pivotal role. So far what I’ve seen of him he’s embraced those challenges.
“It’s not easy going to a place like Tamworth and they’re throwing balls literally under the crossbar and you’ve got about 20 bodies around you, and as much as it’s about technical ability it’s more about mindset and tackling that and he didn’t shy away from it.
“That really helped us because it gives confidence to the players around him because they know if it’s in his area, he’s going to come for it and they can focus on their job.”
Antonin Kinsky’s calming effect on Tottenham defence
Postecoglou confessed that the responsibility that Kinsky took to claim crosses in the early stages of the clash against Tamworth filled the Tottenham defenders with plenty of confidence.
The Australian remarked that the youngster will once again have a pivotal role this evening in ensuring that calmness prevails among the Spurs backline.
The 59-year-old added: “It happens with almost every new player but particularly a key position like goalkeeper. It does give some comfort to the players around him if they see he’s handling it well. It means they can then focus on their own job and be a lot more clear-headed.
“If he was struggling to adapt to the way we want to play or challenges… We prepared for Tamworth and what they were going to do, we knew every time they had a throw-in in our half it was going to come in the box and how we’d want to deal with it. That’s great in theory but then you have to go do it.
“When he came out and dealt with the first two and caught them, the players around saw that he’s got this. ‘If he’s got this, I’m going to make sure.’ If he didn’t and there was uncertainty there it tends to filter through the whole team.”
“It’s a more pivotal role [in goal]. You understand the consequences of a goalkeeper not feeling comfortable because he’s usually required in key moments.
“As an outfield player, yes there are key moments, but there are also parts of the game where you can settle into it and find his feet and work his way through any issues. Whereas goalkeepers for the most part whenever he’s involved, whether with or without the ball, it’s a key moment. His ability to fit in really quickly has helped us enormously.”
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