Ange Postecoglou must compromise principles to keep Spurs job – Hargreaves

Owen Hargreaves is sympathetic to Ange Postecoglou’s current predicament at Spurs, but he also has a warning for the Australian.

Ange Postecoglou’s tactical tweak fails in Spurs defeat

Postecoglou, who is usually hesitant to move away from his tried and tested 4-3-3 formation, pulled off a big surprise by setting Tottenham up in a back three against Everton. Ben Davies returned to the side to partner Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin at the back.

It is fair to say the change did not work, with the away side finding themselves 3-0 down at half-time against a Toffees team who have struggled to score goals this season.

While Spurs put some respectability to the scoreline by scoring two in the second half, the defeat leaves the Lilywhites reeling in 15th place, with some serious questions being raised about Postecoglou’s future at the club.

Reports emerged on Monday morning that Spurs have no intention of sacking Postecoglou this week though. Instead, they want to throw support behind him in January.

Owen Hargreaves questions Postecoglou’s decisions

Hargreaves suggested that Spurs are not learning from the mistakes they make, questioning how they can fail to adapt their approach despite missing their first-choice defence.

The former Manchester United midfielder pointed out that a sign of a top team is the ability to adapt their style depending on the opposition they come up against.

Hargreaves told Goal Rush on Optus Sport: “They’re just so open Tottenham. They say Moysey [David Moyes] is quite defensive, their whole team’s in Tottenham’s half!”

“They’re one of the highest scoring teams, but… you can’t just keep playing open football if you’re missing virtually your whole back four.

“I know you say the managers have to have a style of play, there’s nothing wrong with tweaking it and adapting it. Some of the greatest teams that have ever played did that depending on the game and the opposition.”

The 44-year-old insisted that Postecoglou now has to somehow find a way to get results if he wants to stay in the job.

He added about the Spurs head coach: “I feel for him because he tries to play football in the right way, but if you’re not getting results – and he knows better than anyone – people are going to ask big questions, and rightly so.

“Tottenham are 15th with that squad, even though they’re missing a lot of players, they’ve got to find a way.”

Ange Postecoglou will not change his Spurs principles

The one thing Postecoglou has always been clear about is the fact that he will not change his principles, which are the foundation of his coaching.

The 59-year-old will lose credibility with the Spurs squad if he suddenly decides to abandon all his previous messaging and goes more defensive.

Unfortunately, it has been a bit of a perfect storm for Postecoglou this season, with the injuries and the poor form of his best players, and it looks like his days at the club might be numbered.

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