Advertisement

Every word Ange Postecoglou said on more Tottenham transfers, Danso, Van de Ven, Dragusin and Spence

Ange Postecoglou during Brentford vs Tottenham (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Ange Postecoglou held his press conference after Tottenham won 2-0 at Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday and we've got a full transcript with every single word the Australian said.

Spurs took the lead half an hour into the contest when an inswinging Son Heung-min corner struck Vitaly Janelt on the line and bounced into the Brentford goal. Tottenham fought away in a tight encounter as the hosts sent 37 crosses into the box and substitute Pape Matar Sarr scored their second late in the second half.

Son sent a pinpoint ball into the midfielder's run and the young Senegal international poked it through the goalkeeper's legs and into the net to seal the much-needed victory.

READ MORE: Tottenham player ratings vs Brentford - Djed Spence and Ben Davies superb as Son and Sarr shine

READ MORE: Tottenham handed Mathys Tel transfer deadline day alternative as £29.5m clause emerges

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Postecoglou after the game. Below is a full transcript from the press conference at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Brentford put in 37 crosses today, you must be really proud of how your team defended?

Yeah, difficult place to come, difficult place to win at, but also a difficult place to keep them out because the way they play and the way they set up, you have to defend your box it doesn't matter how you play. They're getting throw-ins into the box, set pieces, crosses, you're just going to have to do that irrespective of how you want to tactically approach it, and I just thought the lads handled that awfully well.

We knew we had to. It was going to be key for us, nullifying their threats, and the lads were brilliant and I still felt we had the quality of our football to hurt them the other way. Our second goal was outstanding and we were always a threat when we had it, so credit to the boys, they were brilliant.

There's been difficult moments throughout the season, especially with the fans as well, but how did that feel at the end of the game when you walked over and all the away support were standing on their feet cheering the team?

Yeah, great. It's great for the supporters, great for the players too, because they're all hurting, you know, the players are hurting as well. I know the supporters are, it's not where they want to see their team, and certainly not where we want to be. We need to rectify that, but yeah it was great to see that we could enjoy this game, enjoy the result, get the rewards for it, for both the players and the supporters.

It's only one game, we need to rectify our league position, we know that. We're not in a league position we want to be anywhere near. It's been disappointing, but through that time, not through a lack of effort or will or determination by the players, they're giving everything and I was super pleased today that they could share that moment with the supporters.

The club announced the signing of Kevin Danso this morning, how pleased are you to get him through the door and what's the update with Radu Dragusin?

Great to get Kevin in. We desperately need a defender, but getting him is great because he's a great fit for us. He's had a strong career, but he's at an age now where he really wants to kick on. He's got all the attributes we look for, he's really strong one-on-one, he's quick, he's dynamic, he wants to play on the ball, so, and like I said he's just at a stage of his career where he's really determined to kick on now and make an impact. So really pleased, I think it'll be a lift for the whole group.

With Radu, we'll probably have more information tomorrow. It doesn't look good, but I think he's seeing specialists tomorrow and we'll have more information then.

Deadline day tomorrow, are you expecting the club to be busy?

I think the club is still looking there for opportunities. I've said all along they've been working hard and we don't want to bring just anyone in, and sometimes that takes a bit longer, which is frustrating for everybody. I guess it's frustrating for the club, it's frustrating for the players, it's frustrating for me, but I'm really pleased we got Kevin in because he's a good fit and if we can find another one then that'd be great.

Did that feel like one of the most significant wins of the season given all the circumstances?

I guess in the context of where we are in terms of the season, yeah, it's an important one because, like I said, our league position's not good enough, we need to address that. We need to improve, but It's still the same group of players doing Thursday, Sunday. You can't get away from that fact, and, you know, people can kind of dismiss it, but playing Thursday, Sunday, consistently without being able to rotate takes its toll.

The Premier League is a relentless competition. You're meeting teams who've had a seven day break and we've had literally 48 hours sometimes, so from that perspective, I think the pleasing thing is that, you know, we got Micky back on Thursday night, we got Djed back in today, signing Kevin, at least the group now, I think are getting some sort of encouragement and energy from the fact they're getting some help and that certainly, I've got no doubt they'll assist us in in addressing our our position in the league.

And we've got some massive opportunities as well in the back half of the year, so important because we have to improve in the league. There's no doubt about it, where we are it's not good enough, but I think significant because it was again done by the same group of players who we've asked to do this for quite a while now.

Are you looking for another centre-back on the last day?

Look I think, again, it's about seeing where we're at in terms of the fit of the player. It's not just about bringing another body in, I've said that all along. We're still a little bit thin defensively, I think. It goes under the radar, but the job Archie Gray's doing is just ridiculous. 18 years old, he's never played centre-back before, he's playing in the Premier League, and Europe midweek, every game. It's just incredible, that's he's churning it out. And Ben's been brilliant. But really at the moment, Micky we've got to be careful with, obviously, because he's been out for a while. Getting him back's great. Cristian, we feel, still a little bit away. Again, if the right opportunity exists, we'll go for it.

Stylistically, today was very different from how it has been, backs against wall, low block at the end, what happened to Angeball? Is it just the period you're in that you're happy to be pragmatic?

Look... how do I say this without repeating myself and it not sounding like an excuse... It's very difficult for a group of players to play Thursday and Sunday and maintain energy and levels. What they're doing is giving maximum effort. And maximum effort in a game like today means you can't be sharp and really dynamic with and without the ball. It's just impossible. They're human beings, they're not robots. People want to dismiss it, they want to talk about excuses. But that's the reality. I know the reality. These guys are giving everything. We knew today it wasn't going to be a game where we could go out there and dominate. Because Brentford had a week to prepare for this. We had 50-something hours. With the same group of players. I think with that context, the performance was outstanding.

Micky played on Thursday, but not in squad today, was it a setback?

No, look, like I said before the game, he played 45 [on Thursday]. The plan was maybe to play him 45 again today. But then we had a think about it, spoke to Micky as well. And I thought, I'd rather he has another full week of training, get ready for Thursday night, that's a big game for us as well. We had Djed back today, which gave me some comfort that we could cover him. He was never going to play more than 45 minutes today. I just felt, after discussing it with the medical team and with Micky as well, as desperate as he is to play, I just think we've got to be really smart about how we integrate him back into the team. And obviously Thursday night's a big game for us. And again, having a week of training, hopefully we'll get him ready for that.

Have you agreed a loan deal for Axel Disasi?

I've been busy for the last couple of hours mate, so I'm not really sure what's going on. I'll check my phone when I get back in the room.

Will you give me a ring?

I'll do my best, just wait by the phone..

How important has Djed Spence become to you?

Yeah he's been outstanding since he's come into the team. He had to bide his time. It's fair to say we needed Djed to really be patient, and also just mature a little bit, and I think he has. And once he got into the team he's looked fantastic. And he was important for us today, I think we'd missed him the last couple of games. He's one of these defenders that loves the challenge of taking on the elite in the Premier League wingers, there's some outstanding ones. And Bryan Mbeumo's right up there, especially here. You can see he loves that challenge. Like I said, that's another reason we kept Micky on ice, knowing Djed was back in, was going to help us enormously. So pleased to get him back in the team. He'll be important for us until Destiny gets back. He'll be important for us in this period.

Could Archie Gray become a centre-back long term?

Who knows. But you can't lose sight of the fact he's never played there before. I just think he's a fantastic player. I'm so pleased he's at this football club. And he's a fantastic kid as well. He just wants to learn, no task is too much for him, he tackles everything with a real kind of calmness, that belies his years. He wants to learn, he wants to get better. We are just very, very fortunate to have him at our football club. Whatever position he ends up playing, he's going to be outstanding. He has that attitude of wanting to improve, wanting to get better. He's already set a high benchmark. There aren't many 18-year-olds who you could throw into the Premier League, play out of position in such an important area of the park, and handle it the way he has. Just brilliant.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham by clicking here for in-depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Want breaking and top Tottenham stories sent straight to you? Join our Spurs WhatsApp community by clicking this link. If you're curious you can check out our privacy policy here.