Ange Postecoglou Dismisses Relegation Talk as ‘Hysteria’ Amid Spurs’ Revival
Feb 22, 2025, 02:17 PM ET
In a recent press conference, Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, didn’t hold back when addressing the swirling rumors about his team’s potential relegation this season. He labeled the speculation as nothing more than “hysteria,” suggesting it was a narrative designed to put undue pressure on him and the club. “It goes to show you how ridiculous a notion it was to start with,” Postecoglou remarked, clearly unfazed by the chatter.
Spurs found themselves in a precarious position over the festive period, plummeting to 15th in the Premier League table. An injury crisis had thrown a wrench into their campaign, but a recent 4-1 win over Ipswich Town marked their third consecutive victory, signaling a potential turnaround for the North London club.
Despite the earlier whispers of relegation, Postecoglou was quick to dismiss any notion that Spurs were ever in real danger of going down. “People saying we’re safe with 12 games to go, and people are actually talking about it. That’s the hysteria. And that’s all framed around putting pressure on me and the club,” he explained. For Postecoglou, the focus was always on the long game, with the Aston Villa FA Cup game serving as a key marker for their progress.
He emphasized the effort and determination of his players during their challenging period, stating, “We obviously didn’t get the outcomes we wanted during that time. But not through a lack of will or effort from the players. That was always my primary concern, to protect them and support them. Because they gave everything during that period. Now they’ve got some help, they’ve got some rest.”
While acknowledging that their current league position is “unacceptable,” Postecoglou remains optimistic about the opportunity to improve. A first-half brace from winger Brennan Johnson was instrumental in their victory at Portman Road. Johnson, who had been sidelined with a calf injury since mid-January, made a triumphant return to the starting lineup.
Spurs’ injury woes had seen them exit the Carabao Cup semifinals to Liverpool and the FA Cup fourth round at Villa. However, they still have plenty to play for, with a place in the quarterfinals of the Europa League on the line if they can overcome AZ Alkmaar next month.
Johnson expressed the team’s renewed belief, saying, “We have always tried to believe. When we have all the players back, we won the last two Premier League games and that’s something we wanted to keep in mind. We played good football [against Ipswich] but also defended well.”
Reflecting on their earlier 2-1 home loss to Ipswich, Johnson added, “When we have these experienced players back we know how to get on to the ball. They beat us last time and that was in our heads because we didn’t want to lose today.”
Postecoglou was particularly pleased to have the Wales international’s scoring prowess back, especially with the club’s main striker Dominic Solanke still out injured. “We were always a threat. Sonny [Son Heung-Min] was unplayable in that first half [and] so great to get Brennan back. He scores so many goals for us in those areas,” he noted.
Postecoglou concluded by praising his team’s resilience and adaptability, “He knows when to arrive at the right time. He’s really clinical. He has missed a lot of football. From our perspective, these last two weeks have given us a breather and reset our football. I’m pleased the boys have embraced it.”
- Spurs’ recent form: 3 consecutive wins
- Key players returning from injury: Brennan Johnson
- Upcoming challenge: Europa League match against AZ Alkmaar
Information from Reuters contributed to this report
Originally Written by: ESPN
