Ange Postecoglou reveals why Tottenham are no longer pressing high

Ange Postecoglou has passionately defended his players’ performance against Aston Villa and explained why Tottenham are no longer playing the style of football we have come to expect under him.

Tottenham are no longer pressing high up the pitch

If there is one thing that has defined Spurs in the Postecoglou era, it’s their willingness to press the opponents high up the pitch, with the Australian wanting his side to dominate possession and commit bodies in attack.

He has stuck to the same approach both home and away, even deciding not to change his game plan when his side were down to nine men against Chelsea last season.

However, over the last few matches, we have seen a much more circumspect Tottenham, who have been happy to defend in a mid to low block.

Ange Postecoglou explains why Tottenham are not pressing high up the pitch anymore

One would imagine that the Tottenham boss is not too happy with what his players are producing, given the staunch belief he has in his own principles.

However, Postecoglou has now come to the defence of his players, insisting that they simply did not have the energy to press Villa high up the pitch in their 2-1 FA Cup loss on Sunday.

When asked if Tottenham’s style of play should remain the same irrespective of injuries, the 59-year-old responded (via Football.London): “No, because they’re tired mate.

“Do you think they can press like [we would]. If we hadn’t played Thursday night and I hadn’t rotated that team we wouldn’t have been pressing aggressively today. Fair chance, unless you don’t think they’re human beings.

“Unless you’re superhuman and you think no, after playing Liverpool on Thursday night they should be flying tonight. It doesn’t happen. They’re human beings. Why do you think Liverpool and others rotate 11 players? Why? There’s a reason and I wish I could do the same. So you can bring a freshness to the team.

“Of course, they’re not playing anywhere near the levels that we want or expect, but that’s not because they’re not trying. It’s because they can’t. I think this group of players once we get the rest of the group in, will be an outstanding team. I have no doubt about that.

“Whether other people can’t see that, that’s of no interest to me. If you want to measure anything on what they’re doing at the moment, other than the extreme situation they’re dealing with then I think your analysis is skewed and it’s not objective. That’s my opinion.”

Serious questions need to be asked about player workload

Postecoglou’s point about fatigue is a fair one and it is clear that the players who have played week-in, and week-out over the last few months are running on empty.

However, the injuries in the squad are partly the club’s own doing, with the decision to rush back Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven for the clash against Chelsea at the start of December now appearing to be a shocking call, which the Australian has taken no responsibility for.

There is no clear evidence that the intensity that Postecoglou expects from his players in training and matches is sustainable at the very highest level.

In both seasons, we have seen energy levels massively drop off after the first few months of the campaign, as well as a spate of muscle injuries.

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