Ange Postecoglou makes plea to Tottenham fans ahead of AZ Alkmaar clash

Ange Postecoglou has told Tottenham fans what kind of atmosphere the players need from them on Thursday as they look to overcome their 1-0 deficit against AZ Alkmaar and seal progression to the final eight of the Europa League.

There was an anxious and nervous energy among the fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Bournemouth on Sunday, which was perhaps to be expected.

Spurs have nothing but pride to play for in the Premier League this season and they delivered a sloppy performance, finding themselves two goals down before fighting their way back to draw level.

However, the stakes are entirely different on Thursday, with Tottenham trying to turn around a 1-0 deficit to book their place in a big European quarterfinal.

Ange Postecoglou admits Tottenham players need fans to get behind them

Postecoglou was reluctant to criticise the atmosphere at the stadium on Sunday, pointing out that he cannot dictate how the supporters feel. He also admitted that the team has a responsibility to remain mentally strong.

However, the Spurs head coach did confess that having the supporters behind them on Thursday will make a big difference to his side, just as it did for Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadium last week.

When asked if it is important that we do not see a similarly anxious crowd in the second leg against the Eredivisie side, Postecoglou responded (via Football.London): “Yeah, look, again I said before, I can’t sort of dictate to people how they sort of interact, but, AZ’s crowd certainly helped them on Thursday night.

“We need our crowd to get behind the boys on Thursday to make it an atmosphere where maybe we lose some of that nervousness and anxiety within our game.

“But the reality is, we as a team have to respond irrespective of the atmosphere and one may follow the other. If we start the game strong, it’ll get the place nice and loud, which will help us.”

Spurs fans will get behind the side on Thursday

One cannot compare the atmosphere for a dead-rubber Premier League game on a Sunday afternoon to a big European night under the lights.

There is no doubt that the Tottenham faithful will be behind the side against Alkmaar and will do their best to push them close to Europa League glory.

However, if the Dutch side scores first, the frustrations in the crowd might spill over and that will make things even more difficult for the players, which is why the home side must start on the front foot.

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