Ange 'tired' of tactics questions

Ange Postecoglou dismissed the notion that he is angry at recent questioning of his tactics but says he is tired of people trying to “poke the bear”.

Tottenham’s tactics were criticised after Sunday’s 6-3 loss at home to Liverpool, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher saying after the result that “nobody has ever won anything playing like that”.

But Postecoglou, whose side are now 11th in the league, said his reaction was normal given the nature of a defeat that saw Spurs concede six goals at home for only the second time in Premier League history.

“I wasn’t angry. We’d just had a heavy defeat and I take responsibility for that, because I have seen the effect that has on everyone involved at the football club, so that sort of weighs heavily on you,” Postecoglou said.

“But I don’t think there are many managers that bounce into interviews after being beaten feel sort of cheery about it.

“Fair to say I am getting tired of the same questions and answering the same way.

“I just think it’s almost like people sort of want to poke the bear to see if I react. Obviously after a loss it’s a lot easier for people to get a reaction out of you.”

Tottenham have scored the most goals in the Premier League, with a goal difference only bettered by the three teams at the top of the table, and average six shots more on target that any other team in the league.

Asked if he felt his side have been unlucky on the balance of play this season, Postecoglou said: “I don’t think you feel unlucky. Those kind of things, over the course of the season you like to think it evens out.

“I mean there are circumstances as to kind of where we are at from the position of the table. A lot of that is down to both inconsistency in performances – sometimes inconsistency in games – and also inconsistency in the kind of team we can put out there.

“All those kinds of things have kind of damaged our ability to get into a stronger position in the league. But I still think there is growth in this team through this period. I still think there is a lot of positive things within what we’re doing, not withstanding we need to improve our position.”

Despite a stunning recent victory against Manchester City, Tottenham have lost three of their last five Premier League games and have a long list of injury absentees that includes Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.

But Postecoglou has refused to be critical of the threadbare squad he has at his disposal.

“I can’t be critical of this group of players at the moment in any sense,” he said.

“I think it would be unfair for anyone to because what they are doing is giving absolute maximum effort.

“That’s backed up by the physical parameters you put against what they’re doing. They’re trying to do it in the way that I’m asking them to.

“So how can I be critical of that? I think that would be hypocritical of me. The players are doing their part. They’re doing it to the maximum of their ability and it’s a credit to them.

“I still think in the long term that’s going to hold us in good stead.”

Postecoglou confirmed Tottenham plan to be active in the forthcoming January transfer window.

Spurs have been beset by injuries and suspensions over the past month, which has seen them plummet down the Premier League table amid an inconsistent run of form.

A thrilling 4-3 win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals last Thursday was followed up by the humbling 6-3 loss to Liverpool – and ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Nottingham Forest, Postecoglou confirmed the club aim to boost their depleted squad.

“Fair to say we’re still a little bit short in a couple of areas and we need to reinforce. We will be a short in a couple of areas and we are going to need a boost, but January is a bit tricky in terms of what sort of players you can bring in,” he said.

“For us, ideally – and for any club I guess – it would be people that are going to make you stronger.”

Nuno braced for the unknown against Spurs

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has braced himself for the unknown as his side prepares for Tottenham’s visit.

Spurs have built a reputation for being the Premier League’s biggest entertainers throughout this season, having scored the most goals out of any team with 39, but have only kept four clean sheets.

Fourth-placed Forest go into the match in fine fettle off the back of three successive wins and were the first club to stop Brentford from scoring on their own patch so far this season.

Asked what he thought could happen on Thursday, Nuno said: “You never know what’s going to happen in the game.

“What we can see is good players, a lot of goals, also conceding goals. We analysed yesterday, it was different in terms of goals and situations.

“The result was a little bit unexpected but what we are preparing is a new game, new situations will happen and we are facing a very good game.”