Lean, mean Richarlison: Spurs’ Ange Postecoglou’s West Ham press conference on slimmed-down striker

Tom Barclay analyses Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou’s pre-West Ham press conference where he spoke about:
Slimmed-down Richarlison being back
The fall-out from Brighton defeat
Son Heung-min’s return
Cristian Romero’s season
Djed Spence’s new contract
Ryan Mason staying put
England appointing Thomas Tuchel
#thfc #tottenhamhotspurfc #tottenhamhotspur
#tottenham #spurs #angepostecoglou #richarlison #sonheungmin
#cristianromero #football

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

Hey guys, let me know your predicted line-ups, thoughts on West Ham and Ange’s comments below. Do you still have faith Richarlison can be a success at Spurs?

[@yabiggalla]

I'd not start Romero due to the recent return and likely jet lag affecting a midday start. I'd start Werner and Bentancur, but AP needs to change his midfield/forward line early to cope with fatigue. Are you from THE Barclay family?

[@happy_camper]

Appreciate your work Tom! Great stuff. Reckon the channel will blow up soon enough.

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

Thanks very much! Here’s hoping, albeit I’m about to go on holiday so unlikely for ten days or so 😂

[@stephensmith4240]

Always good to hear your take on the pressers Tom as you usually have a different take than the rest of the press pack. Maybe Richarlison will come good for us. Would be interested in what you make of the embargoed section later. COYSX!

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

Thanks very much. Will try to do a video on embargoed quotes

[@leomac3464]

Ever since Ange started you could see he really rated Richi. A lot of fans have spent a decent portion of his tenure wanting to sell Richi. When he's fit and happy, he has a great positive impact. Good luck to him keeping fit. Hopefully he doesn't 2nd guess himself to try and not get re-injured.

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

They seem to be giving him the best opportunity to show he can manage the physical rigours of Postecoglou’s football with this latest extended recovery from injury

[@danielpinkus2725]

Ange has been putting more pressure on the players this year, not shielding them in press conferences. He’s transparent with his feedback, addressing where the team fell short.

[@StevenHaze]

That is fairly typical too! Those who have been there for the 14 months know the system now. Not knowing what to do is no longer an excuse. Now to work on the higher problems, like tactics and what happens when the wheels fall off ala Brighton match.

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

Interesting. I hadn’t noticed that being particularly different to last year

[@richardlees356]

Thanks Tom, have a great break!

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

Thanks very much!

[@MsHappy-u5o]

Too many substances Richie.

[@danielpinkus2725]

Richarlison’s press is decent, and he went on that great scoring run last year. He found it difficult to be that link up player as his first touch is poor and gives the ball away a lot, I hope he can improve.

[@danielpinkus2725]

Romero not being a big talker is a problem, communication is so important when marshalling the defence.

[@zorbathegeek]

Good to have you back, Tom. It's been a tough couple of weeks with no Spurs action 😂

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

Good to be back, though I will be popping off again for a while shortly!

[@wiltonmcdonald2399]

It’s not a question of style, tactics or anything of that nature; it is players making a simple game difficult.

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

You could say that about every defeat I guess

[@danielpinkus2725]

Do you think Mason is feeling a bit left out with the new coaches coming in and Matt Wells being promoted before him ? Do you know what his role is this year ? (I think it was attacking last year)

[@leanderian]

Interesting that you'd choose the one pitch that's being worked on to record your video...

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

Ha, noted. Tbf it’s the only pitch I’m allowed to record on, but next time i’ll have a wander away from the lawnmowers 😂

[@danielpinkus2725]

Vic, Porro, Romero, VDV, Udogie, Bentancur, kulu, maddison, Johnson, son, Solanke

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

Agree

[@TheA8lee]

Vicario; Spence, Romero, VDV, Udogi; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son;

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

Can’t see him benching Kulu

[@alexsibanda6390]

How does Kulu get left out when he's been our best performer? Vicario, Porro, VDV, Romero, Djed Spence, Bissouma, Kulu, Madders, Son,Solanke, Johnson Udogie was one of the worst performers vs Brighton, can't leave Romero out,he's won the world cup with Argentina and not many players can talk abt that. Ange showed bad signs vs Brighton, showed a bit of clueless signs when wheels came off!

[@TheA8lee]

@@alexsibanda6390 I forgot about him, tbh! Still used to thinking of a midfield three of defensive/box-to-box/passing midfielders to support the three attackers in front, rather than having 5 attackers on the pitch.

[@yabiggalla]

With his style of play, I find it strange that AP doesn't make changes early. If Richarlison stays fit, gets game time, and gains confidence, he could be very good, especially in partnership with Solanke. I'd not start Romero due to jet lag and the early start. Start Werner, too. Are you from THE Barclay family?

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

No I’m not, if only 😂 Richy and Solanke could be interesting

[@sash7048]

The lawnmower is trying to keep us from hearing about Richy 😂

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

😂 hazard of doing the videos pitchside!

[@GeX2X]

Ritchie will prolly get a run, sounds like they believe in him hence more time invested in his recovery.. Son might start or come off the bench, Berg' bench, Timo & Moore, in line up, Cuti starts, Dragu, Sarr bench, Bentancur starts, Biss bench, Grey bench or starts... sorry bit jumbly but just going on instinct and current situation, also prolly depends on how the match is panning out re subs, albeit in the last game subs accounted for naught essentially... anyway we'll definitely have a stronger more consistent performance, lets see if we can convert that into a win 😊

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

You’d expect a reaction today from the players after the last game

[@alexsibanda6390]

Depends on who plays!

[@GeX2X]

@@alexsibanda6390 team sheet has just been released

[@alexsibanda6390]

Just hope Spurs can beat West Ham, lost to them off season, lost to the last season but hope for a different result. Ange must quickly change players if things look uncomfortable instead of waiting all game long

[@TomBarclayjournalist]

How do you feel now after that excellent result?

[@danielhackett1581]

hes wirey sure, but he was carrying a bit of a belly before.