Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou’s only aim as he prepares for a long season of battles with the rest of the top-tier teams is ending the trophy drought.
Despite the season opener not going according to plan, where Tottenham had to settle for a 1-1 draw against newly promoted Leicester City thanks to a Jamie Vardy special, Spurs are confident of a good season.
For those with Tottenham tickets, the hopes of a possible silverware look positive.
Postegclou – Positive
Ange Postecoglou’s words will be music to the ears of Tottenham fans, who have been starved of silverware for more than 16 years.
The Australian’s hopes of winning Spurs’ first trophy since 2008 appear to have been significantly heightened following the club-record signing of Dominic Solanke.
His £65m arrival from Bournemouth finally fills the Harry Kane void and gives Postecoglou the No. 9 he sought to move the team forward.
The fans who are regulars at the London Stadium were overjoyed to see Solanke in a Spurs jersey, but they know that it isn’t going to be easy.
Especially with teams like City and Arsenal – two teams that the Spurs have struggled with lately.
In an interview earlier with Sky Sports, Postecoglou was already optimistic ahead of his second season in charge. He discussed how his team could improve from their fifth-placed finish and aim for silverware.
Extract from the interview:
“What we found last year, and it was no surprise, was that whenever we had disruptions, whether that was injuries or suspensions, we lacked some discipline; we struggled to maintain the levels of football that we established when everyone was up and running.
“Invariably, in any year, you’re going to have some challenges. It’s about coping with that better. Having a better squad will help cope with that. We need to understand better what we must focus on through that time. That means to me that we’re better prepared for the challenges that are always there.”
Postegclou went on to add that he’s always ended up on the winning side in his second season. He hopes to do the same, giving those with Tottenham tickets a new era of hope.
Usually, in my second season, I win things. That’s the whole idea. The first year is about establishing principles and creating a foundation. Hopefully, the second year is going on to win things. Of course, it’s easier said than done, particularly in the Premier League and our competition. That’s always the way I’ve looked at it: in the second year, you should be in a position where you can push on, depending on how the first year has gone.
Son Wants to Be Remembered as a Spurs Legend
Captain Son Heung-min wants to be remembered as a Tottenham Hotspur legend, but he does not believe he can be considered that yet.
The 32-year-old is approaching his 10th year at the Premier League club and has made more than 500 appearances for them.
He has scored at least 14 league goals in the past eight seasons and struck up a fine partnership with Harry Kane before the England captain moved to Bayern Munich last summer.
“Being on one team in 10 years is a good effort. You have to be consistent with this, and you also have to give something back to the club.
“I still don’t think I am a legend of this club. I have said I want to win something with the Spurs, and then I want to be very happy to be called a legend.
“I joined Spurs to win a trophy, and I hope we can make a special season.”
Tottenham have not won a major trophy since the League Cup in 2008, but while Son hopes to help them win silverware this term, he is not setting any personal targets.
Last season, he scored 17 Premier League goals, and the Spurs finished fifth.
“I am not setting a goal of where I should be,” he said.
“Imagine if I say 10 goals or something, and you score ten goals in six games, your goal is done. I want to push as much as I can, never feeling it is enough.
“I want to go as high as possible in every aspect – team, individual, everything. Then we will see where we are at.”
Son is popular with Tottenham fans and supporters in his native South Korea, which has led to the side gaining a massive influx of Korean fans who purchase Tottenham tickets.
Beyond the football field, Son is seen as a more friendly, charismatic, and humble individual, which has made him everyone’s favourite.
Son was named Tottenham captain in August last year, replacing Hugo Lloris.
Sometimes, the additional pressure that comes with it can be a burden, but Son has enjoyed the responsibility.
“It has been good. I’ve learned a lot of things in the last year,” he said.
“Being a Premier League team captain takes a lot of responsibility. I am still learning. It is not easy, but it is a good thing to do.
“It is very important. I am not the loudest guy in the team, but if I have to be loud, I am happy to do it. I want to be an excellent example with good behaviour. We have such a young group of players, and if the captain does the right thing, then the players will do the same things.
“Off the pitch as well. I always try to be good at what I am doing, but the players are listening well, so I am very grateful.”
Bentancur Recovered After Clash
Rodrigo Bentancur needed extensive medical attention and was carried off on a stretcher after a horror head clash during Tottenham’s match at Leicester City.
It felt like a horrific clash, as all the fans with Tottenham tickets described it. He was stretched out, and play was halted for several minutes.
Bentancur appeared to be unconscious for a brief while as medics rushed onto the pitch. He was then seen receiving oxygen in the match against Leicester before he was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Archie Gray.
The Tottenham midfielder could be seen sitting up and responding to treatment after a six-minute delay.
Ange Postecoglou has revealed Rodrigo Bentancur is conscious and communicating after his head injury.
He said: “He is up and communicating. It’s a head injury, and we’ll leave it in the hands of the medical team, but he’s conscious and communicating. Nowadays, we’re always cautious at the moment.”
