Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou delivered a frustrated response to BBC Sport following his side’s chaotic 6-3 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
The injury-ravaged Spurs conceded three goals in each half as Liverpool demonstrated their title credentials at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Postecoglou, who made no changes from his team’s previous 4-3 victory over Manchester United, watched his depleted squad visibly tire as the match progressed.
The Australian manager’s patience appeared to wear thin during his post-match interview when questioned about his team’s defensive frailties.
Ange Postecoglou was furious with a reporter after Tottenham’s defeat
Sky Sports
In a tetchy exchange with BBC Sport, Postecoglou threatened to cease answering questions about his team’s defensive struggles, insisting critics were overlooking obvious factors affecting his squad’s performance.
“If you want to discount the fact we’re missing a goalkeeper, two centre-backs and left-back and that hasn’t coincided with what we’re doing… I don’t know what to say anymore,” Postecoglou told BBC Sport.
The Spurs manager pointed out how significant these absences were for his squad’s performance.
“It’s fairly significant, if you took out Liverpool’s goalkeeper, two centre-backs and a left-back – or any team other than Liverpool, they’d find it tough going as well,” he added.
The defensive crisis has forced Postecoglou to rely on deputies Radu Dragusin, Archie Gray and Djed Spence in his backline.
His unchanged team from the Manchester United victory showed signs of fatigue as Liverpool’s attack proved relentless.
Ange Postecoglou is under pressure at Tottenham
Reuters
The manager appeared particularly frustrated at suggestions that factors beyond injuries might be contributing to Spurs’ defensive struggles.
In his most pointed response to questioning, Postecoglou declared: “I’m just going to stop answering these questions. If people can’t see the obvious I’m not going to point it out.”
The Tottenham boss appeared exasperated at having to repeatedly explain his team’s defensive situation.
Liverpool were in roaring form at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Reuters
“Make of it what you want, yes we’re conceding goals,” he continued, addressing the BBC Sport interviewer.
His frustration seemed to stem from what he perceived as a failure to acknowledge the impact of his squad’s injury crisis.
The manager suggested critics had already made up their minds about his methods, stating: “I think people make up their mind in their own way. They either think what I’m doing is good or bad, and that’s fine.”
+ There are no comments
Add yours