Ange Postecoglou – Tottenham Hotspur – Tactical Analysis

Embed from Getty Images

Spurs fans have endured a disorderly four years since Mauricio Pochettino’s exit, but some stability may finally have come in the form of Australia’s most prized coach, Ange Postecoglou. The Postecoglou era is in full flow just one month into the Premier League season as Spurs have claimed ten points from a possible twelve.

Embed from Getty Images

Going a month unbeaten has been a pleasant surprise for a team as undervalued as Tottenham, having gone through a hectic pre-season where they lost arguably their greatest ever player. But as we enter September’s international break, Spurs sit second in the table with more optimism than nearly every Premier League side so far. Here is our analysis of Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs so far.

System of Play: 4-2-3-1

Ange Postecoglou has set-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation so far this season, allowing for the best to come out of his midfield triangle with a clearly defined ‘6’, ‘8’ and ’10’. The triad of Maddison, Sarr and Bissouma have been immaculate to start the campaign, leaving little room for a player as talented as Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. It was a bold move to reinstate the defensive presence of Yves Bissouma and the young energy of Pape Sarr into the starting eleven, but one that’s completely paid off. James Maddison meanwhile has been one of the stars of the season so far, acting as one of the Premier League’s elite playmakers.

Postecoglou has actually been brave across the board in immediately integrating Spurs’ new signings into the fold. We begin with an important new purchase at the back, where Spurs’ new goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has started the season with a save percentage of 85%. He’s nicely balanced shot-stopping with composed distribution out from the back, suiting Postecoglou’s desires in goal.

Embed from Getty Images

In front of him, Micky Van de Ven has also proven to be a stellar signing at the ripe age of 22, similarly possessing that commanding defensive presence with on-the-ball quality. He’s partnered by Cristian Romero, who’s been slightly more composed to start the season within his aggressive approach to defending.

Embed from Getty Images

Romero has so far been the better progressive passer as Van de Ven has made himself the more impressive carrier. It’s the fullbacks however that have more license to carry forward, with energy being provided down the flanks from either Emerson Royal or Pedro Porro, and Destiny Udogie down the other side. Fullbacks within Ange’s system have freedom to invert into central channels one at a time, which can push Pape Sarr further up the pitch. But both are more like wing-backs when adding up their total contributions, and expected to contribute frequently to attacks inside the final third.

Alongside the full backs in possession, Yves Bissouma has relished his rebirthing as a cross between a deep-lying playmaker and defensive destroyer. His ball progression and retention have been essential to Postecoglou’s possession-heavy side. Going the ohter way, he’s been by far the most active and impactful, making 4.21 tackles per 90, nearly double the next best.

Embed from Getty Images

To the right of him is Pape Sarr, a technical diamond in the rough. He supplements the play of his two other midfield teammates brilliantly, keeping it simple when required whilst having the tactical intelligence to attack open spaces. The Senegalese ‘Box to Box Midfielder’ looks ready to expertly fill that starting spot at Spurs for years to come, despite the pending return of Uruguayan superstar Rodrigo Bentancur and additional competition from Oliver Skipp.

Embed from Getty Images

Playing a more advanced role within his star-studded freedom is James Maddison. The £40 million bargain from Leicester has been their main source of progression, constantly looking to drive the team forward from any point on the pitch. He dribbles, passes and shoots so decisively and with such precision; already contributing to 4 goals in his 4 appearances.

The wingers hold the bulk of the width in Postecoglou’s system, an important facet for attacking the opposition’s defence out-to-in and allowing the forwards to receive the ball earlier in wide positions. Ange has shuffled about who starts in these areas, trying to understand who fits each particular role best. Heung-Min Son started the season from the left, but has since moved inside given his quality in front of goal, and Richarlison’s lack of similar quality to start the campaign. Richarlison has struggled for goals again to begin the season and so Son’s hat-trick at Turf Moor should put him in good stead for the striker role moving forward.

That might mean a place for Manor Solomon on the left, who assisted two goals last weekend. But Brennan Johnson could also enter the fold in any of the three positions. He will have his work cut out for him though, with Dejan Kulusevski still providing that creative threat from wide.

Embed from Getty Images

Other than James Maddison, none of their recent signings were big name players that you would have thought would immediately change the fortunes of Spurs around. But collectively as a group of players, Ange Postecoglou has gotten the best out of their abilities within the balance of his team. That’s a hallmark of any good manager, and one that certainly feels different than when Nuno Espirito Santo started the season well in his first month in charge. With only City hitting their stride to start the campaign, this puts Tottenham in for a big season.

Attacking Principles

Embed from Getty Images

Spurs’ in possession tactical intricacies have been very pleasing on the eye this season and beginning with their 3+1 build-up from goal kicks, Spurs set the foundations to keep possession and move through the thirds with ease.

Using the goalkeeper as an active member of build-up has been an important function of many Premier League sides this season, but Spurs’ strong advocacy for ball-retention requires Vicario to be more composed than most. The 26-year-old’s average pass length and launch % from goal kicks rank third lowest in the league. In other words, he prefers to keep the ball through short passes, as Spurs build through the thirds.

But as the ball moves into open play, Ange’s full-backs will often invert into central midfield, in either half-space ahead of Bissouma. This creates a myriad of triangles, allowing easier access to third-man combinations centrally. Udogie has been crucial in this phase, as his speed and desire to get into these areas whilst having the courage to progress the ball forward has been astounding, achieving 4.3 progressive carries per 90. Moreover, he has the ability to receive possession in tight spaces and squeeze the ball through the tiniest of gaps, before galloping up the left-wing.

Embed from Getty Images

Despite all of Udogie’s quality, Bissouma has been the one to stand out from those deep midfield positions thus far. He has fabulous technical control, retaining possession comfortably. He curves his dribbles away from the opposition’s press, getting his body between player and ball. And it’s not just how he keeps possession but how the Mali international moves it forward. Out of regular starters, he has made the most passes into the final third per 90 (7.11).

Embed from Getty Images

The other main avenue for progressing the ball comes through James Maddison. Rotating with Udogie in moments, the English magician seeks involvement in every phase of play, whether it be the build-up, moving the ball through the thirds, or chance creation inside the final third. Having the most progressive passes, key passes, shot-creating actions and assists per 90 in the team proves his worth in every phase.

He’s got a wand of a right foot, always making his presence felt on set-pieces. Now in a team that want the ball the entire way, his touches on the ball have skyrocketed from 52 per 90 last campaign to 70 at Spurs.

Embed from Getty Images

Through the brilliance of players like Maddison and Son, Postecoglou aims to create numerical superiority through central channels and break quickly. Everything has funnelled through the Brit so far, which might mean we sew fewer chances created from the wings, particularly from longer spells of open play. Kulusevski is yet to assist a goal this campaign for example, despite contributing 15 across his first two seasons at the club in fewer minutes than most.

Embed from Getty Images

With that being said, the importance of Kulusevski on the right and Son/Solomon on the left must not be understated. All three play an important role in creating the side’s width and ensuring the opposition cannot over-compact the central spaces to stop Maddison. Kulusevski has historically preferred to invert and come inside on that left-foot, but Manor Solomon might be slightly more direct with his pace and power on the ball.

Embed from Getty Images

In finishing off the moves, Son remains the most prolific. He’s the ideal player to compliment Maddison’s eye for a pass, for his energetic running in behind defenses and power on the break. Richarlison on the other hand still struggles to find his footing in a Spurs shirt, even in spite of being presented the perfect opportunity to get off the mark. It will be particularly intriguing to see how new-signing Brennan Johnson fits into the fold, but he certainly possesses the directness down the right to provide an alternative to Kulusevski.

Defensive Principles

Embed from Getty Images

Despite the shift to control and possession, Tottenham are more robust than they’ve been under several defensive managers. Two clean sheets in four matches isn’t the worst way to start for a side that shipped 63 goals last campaign, and all of the changes at the back have helped to make Spurs a sturdier unit.

Embed from Getty Images

This instant improvement could be pinned down to the rejuvenated desire that Postecoglou has inflicted on the dressing room, but the stark change in tactics to press high and proactively, trying to regain possession in the opposition’s half, also suits the players at his disposal far better than soaking up the pressure.

Embed from Getty Images

By no means have Spurs become the best pressing team in the league, but to allow themselves more time on the ball, the players must be ready to exert energy out of possession to win it back. Ange has them setting the tone with and without the ball like a top side once again, allowing just 8.59 passes per defensive action (PPDA), the third best in the league.

The high man-oriented pressing requires energetic runners to close down the space and force the opposition into traps where Spurs can commit high turnovers or force the ball wide and out. Son’s role within this has been huge given how fast and powerful he is as a ball-oriented presser. He chases the ball around an opposition’s third as his midfield and winger stay tight on possible receivers of the ball to force errors.

Embed from Getty Images

In their 4-1-3-2 high press, Maddison steps forward to provide some extra energy from the front, often cutting off a centre back as a passing option whilst the near side winger may step onto the opposition’s full-back.

The far-sided winger can stay tight on the other centre back, making it very difficult to play out from the back. Spurs’ second midfielder will also gradually step up to enforce the aggressive press, as Bissouma remains ready to cover in behind wherever needed.

Sometimes there are gaps in Spurs’ pressing structure and that’s where Romero and Van de Ven have been so important. Both players are quick, strong, and aggressive, prepared to sweep up danger at the risk of a yellow card. Romero is outstanding in this respect, on an 80% tackle success to start the campaign.

Embed from Getty Images

Bissouma again shines brightest when defending because he is such a destructive ball winner, rarely leaving his responsibilities in blocking central avenues but also regaining possession frequently. He has 27 tackles + interceptions, the best in the league, despite playing in a side favouring the ball. We’ve truly seen the best of his Brighton days come out this season under Postecoglou, as that key member of the rest-defense to win the ball back immediately in transition.

Embed from Getty Images

With so much going for them in the final third, some spaces are inevitably left open for the opposition to attack during defensive transitions. If they stay rigid in only having one full-back advance into the attack at a time, that will also massively continue to aid their defensive transitions. But having Bissouma be so stellar on the defensive end will be key as the season progresses, not to mention keeping Romero and Van de Ven fit for the bulk of the campaign. For now, Postecoglou’s team have been a much improved side all around.

Conclusion

Embed from Getty Images

This new era at Spurs is extremely exciting for their fans, who can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. English football is as tough as it’s ever been and a manager whose only European exploit is two years in the Scottish Premiership wouldn’t be expected to achieve highly. But perhaps expectations need adjusting. Perhaps the value of a manager should not be based on where they made their recent achievements but how they achieved their success. Postecoglou is a positively infectious manager and might just be the man to finally bring home a trophy for Tottenham. Only time will tell.

---

• WordPress
• Facebook
• X
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Search

Search