Enhancement and Cohesion crucial for Tottenham in upcoming season, asserts Ange Postecoglou

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is confident that his team is in a stronger position to secure a spot in the Champions League, following their fifth-place finish under his leadership last season in London.

Spurs are the last of the English Premier League’s “Big Six” to kick off their new campaign when they travel to newly promoted side Leicester City on Aug 19.

Postecoglou spoke early on Aug 15 to preview the match, and he was clear regarding where his team stand.

“We feel a lot more settled and better prepared for what’s ahead,” the Australian said.

“There were a lot of unknowns last year at this time. But it didn’t stop us from having a great start to the season.

“I go into every season with the same kind of target of trying to be successful. The starting point for us is improvement. Improvement in our football, in the consistency of our football. We had some really good moments and some moments where we had to work really hard to get some results and the back end of last season was disappointing for us.”

Looking ahead, the 58-year-old added: “There’s a lot in there but for us if we can get improvement, consistency... it gives us an opportunity to try to achieve something which is what you go into every season trying to do.”

The Spurs boss did not specifically mention which area he would like improvements, but he has a squad upgrade in Dominic Solanke, who is in line to make his debut against Leicester.

Solanke has joined from Bournemouth in a deal that could rise to £65 million (S$110.7 million) after scoring 19 Premier League goals last season.

“He’s a top pro and a good guy, he’s settled into the dressing room really well,” added Postecoglou.

“Football-wise you can see he has all the attributes we need. He’s fitting in well with the group and training. He should be (available on Monday).”

Meanwhile, midfielder Yves Bissouma has been suspended for the match after he was seen inhaling laughing gas in a video on social media.

The 27-year-old has since apologised for what he described as a “severe lack of judgement”.

Possession of nitrous oxide – also known as laughing gas – for recreational use has been a criminal offence in the United Kingdom since 2023 and can result in a two-year prison sentence for repeat offenders.

“We’ve suspended him for Monday’s game,” said Postecoglou.

“Hopefully we can help him to realise the decisions he makes impact more than just him. Hopefully it allows him to make better decisions moving forward.”

Postecoglou was also asked about how he is planning to take on Leicester, since it will be the first time he is taking on the Foxes as Tottenham boss.

“I saw a fair bit of them. Enzo (Maresca, now Chelsea’s manager) did a fantastic job with them. I kind of knew he would get them playing a fairly attractive kind of football,” he said.

“I knew they’d bounce straight back up. When you play a promoted side on the opening day of the season at their place – it isn’t going to be an easy game. Their crowd will be up for it and it’s going to be a tough test for us.”

Leicester are now coached by Steve Cooper, who confirmed that striker Patson Daka has been ruled out for a “few months” with an ankle injury suffered during a pre-season friendly.

Jamie Vardy and Conor Coady are similarly set for spells on the sidelines.

Leicester also have the threat of a points deduction hanging over them for alleged breaches of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, while they also have no plans to sign new players.

“Every season you want to reinforce, you want to strengthen,” added Cooper.

“But it’s been a slow market. Once I knew this week that there wouldn’t be any additions, I put that to one side and focused on Monday. That’s the only thing we can influence.” AFP,