Ange Postecoglou has poured scorn over the notion that Tottenham Hotspur might have been relegated this season, dismissing the topic as nothing greater than “hysteria” that was “framed round placing strain on me and the membership.”
Spurs had been in a downward spiral over the festive interval, dropping as little as fifteenth within the Premier League desk, with an damage disaster derailing their marketing campaign. However a 4-1 win over Ipswich City on Saturday marked their third victory in a row because the north London membership eye a optimistic finish to the season.
Earlier than their current revival, there had been some speak that Spurs had been relegation candidates, however Postecoglou dismissed the concept they had been ever at risk of taking place when it was advised to him that his facet had been now secure from the drop following Saturday’s win.
“It goes to indicate you ways ridiculous a notion it was to begin with,” Postecoglou advised a information convention. “Folks saying we’re secure with 12 video games to go, and individuals are really speaking about it. That is the hysteria. And that is all framed round placing strain on me and the membership. I get that, whenever you’re in that place you have to settle for that.
“For me, it was all the time about making an attempt … We all the time had the [Aston] Villa FA Cup sport as a marker for us. We have to get to that area as finest we might. We clearly did not get the outcomes we needed throughout that point. However not by way of an absence of will or effort from the gamers. That was all the time my major concern, to guard them and help them. As a result of they gave the whole lot throughout that interval. Now they have some assist, they have some relaxation.
“Like I mentioned, we’re not comfortable the place we’re within the league, clearly, it is unacceptable. However we have a possibility to handle that.”
A primary-half brace from winger Brennan Johnson helped Spurs earn their victory at Portman Highway. Johnson picked up a calf damage in opposition to Arsenal in mid-January however returned to the beginning line-up on Saturday.
Spurs’ injury-hit facet misplaced within the Carabao Cup semifinals to Liverpool and the FA Cup fourth spherical at Villa however nonetheless have a lot to play for, with a spot within the quarterfinals of the Europa League their reward if they’ll beat AZ Alkmaar subsequent month.
“We have now all the time tried to consider,” Johnson mentioned. “When we have now all of the gamers again, we gained the final two Premier League video games and that is one thing we needed to bear in mind. We performed good soccer [against Ipswich] but in addition defended nicely.
“When we have now these skilled gamers again we all know tips on how to get on to the ball. They beat us final time and that was in our heads as a result of we did not need to lose at this time,” he added, referring to Spurs’ 2-1 dwelling loss to Ipswich earlier this season.
Postecoglou was delighted to have the Wales worldwide’s scoring contact again, particularly with the membership’s essential striker Dominic Solanke nonetheless out injured.
“We had been all the time a risk. Sonny [Son Heung-Min] was unplayable in that first half [and] so nice to get Brennan again. He scores so many objectives for us in these areas.
“He is aware of when to reach on the proper time. He is actually scientific. He has missed a whole lot of soccer. From our perspective, these final two weeks have given us a breather and reset our soccer. I am happy the boys have embraced it.”
Data from Reuters contributed to this report
