Ange Postecoglou makes it clear that Tottenham “want to win” in Manchester City crunch match

Prior to the match against Manchester City, who are vying for the title, Ange Postecoglou addressed the media.

In a crucial matchup in the Premier League title race, Manchester City visits Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Ange Postecoglou reiterated his desire to go all out.

The weekend’s victory over Burnley, a loss that condemned the Clarets to the Championship, eased the pain of four straight losses.

Spurs’ much-needed three points, combined with Newcastle’s draw to Brighton, moved them within one win of the UEFA Europa League.

In addition, Spurs would secure a spot in the Champions League if Aston Villa lost to Liverpool on Monday night.

Although it is usually absurd to ask someone if they want to win, the extra drama of the race for the league championship has generated this kind of conversation.

Man City would lead the table going into the final weekend with a victory, two points ahead of Arsenal, Tottenham’s fiercest rivals.

“People are free to feel the way they do, but I’ve been strong and consistent in my beliefs that the best way for this club to achieve our goals is to not search for a magic solution.

“It takes diligence, fortitude, and character rather than illusions, and understanding what true success looks like. True success resembles awards. To me, bragging rights and everything in between are completely meaningless. Tomorrow is our game, which we hope to win.”

Team updates
North London’s end-of-season injury strains are still getting worse. Richarlison and midfielder Yves Bissouma are out for the duration of the season, according to Postecoglou’s confirmation.

“The next two games he will be absent. Nothing significant. Unfortunately, Bissouma sustained a knee injury and will miss the final two games. Apart from that, all those who were accessible are accessible.”

The Brazil forward, who was left out of his country’s Copa America roster, would be out for “three, four weeks at least from what I understand,” the Tottenham manager later stated.

The two have joined Ben Davies, Timo Werner, Destiny Udogie, and the growing list of players who are not available. Manor Solomon, Fraser Forster, and Ryan Sessegnon have all been absent for a long time.

About the effect of Tottenham in the title fight
While winning would guarantee Europa League football and possibly strengthen a late Champions League push, securing three points would give the Gunners command over where the Premier League title would end up.

Postecoglou quickly disregarded the much-discussed predicament Spurs supporters find themselves in.

Do you really believe that most of our supporters don’t want us to win? That’s not how I see it; I believe the atmosphere that the fans inside the stadium will create will be the same.”

Please don’t tell me that’s your world; 99% of Spurs fans, if you believe social media, probably don’t [want Spurs to win]. If that’s your world, we’ll need to schedule a counseling session.”

“I was part of one of the biggest rivalries in the world with Celtic and Rangers in the last couple of years, and I understand the rivalry but I’ve never and will never understand if someone wants their own team to lose,” Postecoglou reaffirmed based on his experience in the Old Firm derby. That isn’t the purpose of sports.

“It’s not how I’ve lived my life or how I see my role, if that’s how others want to treat it, that they find joy in the suffering of others.

“It is my responsibility to make this football team successful, and I am aware that every Spurs fan wants to see us succeed and take home championships. That is undeniably true, and if we win tomorrow night, we will be able to cheer on every Spurs fan.”

Regarding Manchester City
The current champions have found the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to be a dangerous place to play in recent years. The Sky Blues had dropped their previous five games at Spurs’ new stadium prior to January.

When the FA Cup fourth round rolled around, they broke through with a 1-0 win. Postecoglou was not inspired by Tottenham’s league-leading home record against Man City, which still stands as of right now.

“Well, I’m not going to take any confidence from that because my recent home record against Manchester City is one loss. I will therefore be encouraged by the fact that tomorrow night we will have the chance to assess ourselves against the finest.”

They’re a team that always aspires to win honors,” Postecoglou said. “A squad that we hope to one day try to imitate, and the best way to do that is to compare yourself to them while remaining true to who you are.

“We’ll go out there tomorrow night, play our football and see where it takes us.”

Regarding the Spurs academy
Dane Scarlett was given some minutes against Burnley in Richarlison’s absence. Postecoglou discussed the striker’s prospects of making the starting lineup.

It’s been a frustrating year for Dane. He hasn’t had many chances in the first team since his loan move didn’t work out, but he is still there, in the squad right now, and he played for a short while the other day.

“He had a few strong performances and may have had opportunities in the previous two games. Like any young player, your career will grow if you seize the opportunities presented to you and have an impact.”

Postecoglou also discussed the integration of young players into the senior squad, citing the benching of 16-year-old forward Mikey Moore, another product of the academy, in the last few games.

“It’s a big step between that and playing football for the first team, but I think the Under-21s and Under-18s have shown some real promise and real growth this year, which is important.”

“You bring up Manchester City, and there are several routes to the starting lineup. Individuals such as [Cole] Palmer and [Phil] Foden stayed on, trained with the first team despite little opportunity, and eventually made a breakthrough.

“Others went out on loan, so I think there is different ways, but what I do know with young players is your best chance of having them come in and make an impact is to have a real stable, senior environment.”

Postecoglou reiterated that he prefers the slow and steady model, citing the likes of Alfie Dorrington, Jamie Donley, and Moore as players who have impressed in the Tottenham youth ranks this year.

“Although there is occasionally a tendency to do so when you’re desperate to just throw young players in, I don’t think that’s the best time.

“I think for real development for the ones that you really believe have got potential to make it, it is can you bring them into an environment where it is already established in terms of the way the team plays, the culture of the place and in terms of the first team that’s what we’ve been trying to build this year.”