The incredible philosophy of Ange Postecoglou | Tottenham Hotspur tactics explained

[@puskas_baller]

The sources of Ange's inspiration for "Ange-ball" seem to get misrepresented pretty often - so I am going to leave this here for any fans more interested in the matter. Ange Postecoglou: "My dad, he worked very hard. Before I'd get up for breakfast he would already be at work. At nights, he'd get in, get through dinner quickly, sit on the couch and fall asleep. For a young boy, I was looking for a connection with my father and the weekend was the time. We'd go to our local club, South Melbourne, which was a club formed by immigrants of a similar background from Greece, and that Sunday at the football became something special to me. My father, who I knew as a certain kind of individual during the week - and to be fair he wasn't fun to be around, because he was always tired and working hard-just came to life. He would walk through those gates, socialise with everyone, get really animated about the referee and coach and football, and I wouldn't leave his side. That Sunday was really precious to me. I also have stark and vivid memories of being woken in the middle of the night and knowing there was a game of football on the tele that he wanted me to watch with him. It felt like we were the only two people up in the whole world and watching a game from the other side of the world. For me, that was precious, because it just brought me closer to my dad. He really loved watching the entertainers. It started in the early 1970s. He loved Leeds, people like Eddie Gray and Peter Lorimer. And in 1974, the first World Cup I remember, he kept talking about Johan Cruyff and the Dutch. In the early to mid 1970s I started following Liverpool, because the football they were playing used to excite my father as well. They were a possession-based team. He influenced the kind of football I liked and that has stuck with me. I really struggled in my playing career because I couldn't be the player who would excite my father. I was a defender and fairly limited in my technical ability. My father passed away a couple of years ago and when my teams play I still pretend my father is watching in the grandstand and would he be enjoying watching this team? That has always been the route of everything I have done. I can't shift, because where it all started from is more powerful than any challenges I'll get externally, from owners or media or supporters questioning my beliefs. They are so deep-rooted they can never change." In terms of tactics, I see some people saying Ange is just copying Pep (and even Arteta's) tactics.. Ange was coaching way before Arteta even finished playing. Ange started playing like this in the early 2000's. He used tactics like this in Australia when Pep was still a player. When Ange's Yokohama played Pep's Man City, Yokohama had 58% possession. They lost, but Pep still said, Yokohama played football the way he wanted Man City to play. Besides the inspiration from his father and wanting to make football his dad would find exciting, Ange takes a lot of inspiration from when he played for & became friends with the great Ferenc Puskas. Yes that Puskas, from the Hungarian team of the 50's. And his fluence on Ange is ever present.

[@zyro6331]

Super insightful. Thanks for sharing.

[@cliffordkee611]

Wonderful post

[@leonardnimoy7]

Thanks for that.

[@puskas_baller]

cheers guys COYS

[@cannedpineapple2702]

Thank you. COYS

[@charlie3813]

Been a spurs fan through thick and thin for 53 years. I went to the last game last season and walked out after another disappointing performance. This season, the boys are playing as a team and not as 10 players plus Kane. Love it. Love what they're doing. Its fresh, exciting and super spurs are back with Ange. Long may it continue. Love the way the gaffer relates to all the players. Smiles everywhere. He allows the boys to express themselves. Love it.

[@jimmynich4791]

One of my friends who's a Yanited fan was saying to me Spurs will be better without Kane eventually. He was saying that when Van Nistelrooy left Yanited all the fans were gutted but they won more & scored more goals once he left cos everything was going towards him all the time. One thing I noticed doesn't get talked about with Postecoglu's tactics is the constant passing into space, so often they're looking to pass to someone running onto the ball, even when it's not going forwards. I think that's how he avoids the press by not passing to feet often, it's not the formation it's the movement off the ball that is key, he changes the formation quite a bit during games, I'm sure against Bournemouth towards the end he changed it to a 4-5-1 because that's where the space was, against Yanited at half time he moved the fullbacks wider cos they were attacking the channels well.

[@libbydobson1317]

Well we all know Kane is a great player but he was very selfish.. His priority was put his numbers high. It was always about him and I got tired of how simple our games were last season. I think we'll be faster and more efficient without Kane. I love the Angeball so far and I believe in him..

[@GEB-yy3ud]

As an Aussie I'm just so happy for him and Spurs fans. I have a Scouser brother in law so I'm a Liverpool fan, but I will be following Spurs and Ange. All the best.

[@jimmynich4791]

@libbydobson1317 I agree, also he didn't play well in a lot of big games for Spurs & England, opposition would sometimes cut off his supply & he'd end up having a quiet game. The best thing about Jose was he taught Kane to drop deeper at times so he could collect the ball & look to play a killer pass, that kind of play maybe doesn't suit Spurs as much now with Madders bringing more creativity in midfield & more pace needed upfront.

[@lavelafetsha]

DAMN.

[@sadmanadib8536]

Maddison is a game changer for this team. It's baffling how big teams didn't go for him (I'm looking at you Havertz and Mount signers)

[@johnnyboy-f6v]

Well said. I'm not a Spurs fan but £40m for Maddison vs £105 for [crap] Havertz. Ridiculous.

[@Ryanj82]

A big team did go in for him pal! That's why he signed 😉

[@geoffbhcheng7294]

Best value for money.... even the same conclusion when u compare Chelsea crazy price for Lavia and Caiceido.... OK Bissouma from Brighton too, but he shines this season

[@thr34t]

@@johnnyboy-f6v If ur only paying £105 for a player u should expect crap mate 😂

[@thepurist_]

Absolutely. He’s a players that takes you to a different level. I think he’ll need to stay fit if Spurs want to keep performing all season.

[@kwesi1753]

The way Bissouma is playing the pivot for Ange is how i envisioned Frenkie playing the pivot for Barca.

[@bagtea]

frenkie cant. He leaves the space making us vulnerable for counters

[@kwesi1753]

@bagtea Bissouma before this season would almost always have been ruled out as pivot because of how mobile he is...do you know how Ange is compensating for that? By playing inverted fullbacks....or using the 235 shape....it means that if he vacates his spot the shape can easily morph into a 325 which covers for him....culers are too rigid in their definition of what a pivot is.

[@crvlad]

Yeah, but Xavi is the most mediocre and clueless coach that Barca could ever had.

[@gbrl433]

@@crvladbarca don’t have inverted fullbacks

[@DrBurg-by6kj]

cancelo and balde are more than capable, hell even kounde@@gbrl433

[@damiarmyworld1314]

Ange’s philosophies was influenced & mentored by the great Puskas who played in the 50’s-60’s era, his tactics of inverted backs has been around for over a decade well before Pep started utilising it, Ange is tactically masterful in the strategies, structures & systems he implements in games & adaptable to change them if somethings not working, combined with his ability to develop players, his communication skills in making the players easily understand their roles makes him the best Coach.

[@kinslor]

People in the UK don't know this. Ange developed his approach playing under Puskas and then with Brisbane Roar. He will have refined his approach in Japan and Scotland, but it was fully formed 15 years ago. The difference now is the quality of the players available to him with Tottenham. And they are only at the beginning phase.

[@eldiablomagic79]

Arthur Rowe was tottenhams manager in the 50's and spent time in Hungary learning and influencing their football, which he then utilised with tottenham as "push and run" football. I didn't realise that ange was influenced by Puskas, but it's great to see the circle complete and spurs playing exciting, entertaining attacking football.

[@ozzymick1431]

Ange wasn't just influenced by Puskás. As a young player, Ange was coached by him.

[@Jahanoudis]

@@kinslor Watched 3 years of attacking quality football under Ange from 96-00 under Ange at South Melbourne, it's been refined over years and decades but the philosophy remains the same

[@kathyconway5327]

I’m a novice to this game; my understanding was that when Australia played under an Australian coach they still lost but not as badly as with an international coach and at least it wasn’t so boring. You’ve made an excellent analysis there and as you say when rivals of spurs pick it out, there will be more challenges for Ange. But my question is about why it is that dynamic football isn’t the soupe du jour? Could it be because football in these premier leagues has become so money orientated that the field is populated by a bunch of egos overlorded by an even bigger has-been ego who regards what ever happens, happens? I’m open to ridicule, derision, whatever -

[@buzzliteyear11]

Having followed Ange from Australia, the analysis has been pretty clear of the plan and no doubt other teams prepare for it but regardless his teams find a way to win. Meaning anyone can have a great plan but unless you have the right players to execute it, don't mean jack. Ange knows the type of players he needs to make it work and has a knack for retooling rosters and recruiting. So dropping established players and inserting young energy players and allowing Kane to leave, I honestly think he was fine with that because Sonny is better suited to run all day and press hard. Next step is improve the depth at the next transfer window, the lineup for the Carabao cup was not an accident, because he now knows who needs to go and be replaced in the next transfer window. It's always been fun to watch Ange turn trash to treasure wherever he goes, so now I'm on the Spurs bandwagon.

[@fang.clarkec7584]

I haven’t heard of Ange getting the big fat wallet out, like Man City did with Gvardiol. Their a mediocre team at best turned into a force. So no can’t say he has players when everyone can see that it’s the same team minus a absolute star ⭐️ player sold…from the beginning. Without Angeball would finish 13, maybe 15. Now they’ll take EPL , watch wat he does with this shit bunch

[@buzzliteyear11]

@@fang.clarkec7584 but the thing is the players in the starting 11 aren't even s#@% they've been good if not great players poorly managed. Porro, Bissouma, Sarr, Udogie, Romero, Kulu have improved so much since Ange has defined their roles and allowed them to attack. Key signings like Maddison, Van de Ven and Vicario have definitely strengthened them more. But the bench is s@#$, especially with Perisic's injury. Thankfully Bentacur is on the way back soon and so is the transfer window, hope for more outgoings of dead wood and replace with budget friendly mid field and forward players who are fast great motor players who can press, pass, find space and score.

[@judechauhan6715]

I disagree that Maddison is the standout player so far despite being that creative midfielder we've needed for so long and delivering what we could only have dreamed of. In spite of all of that I would have to say that Bissouma, far and beyond, the most crucial/best player for us in all the games I've watched this season. As highlighted in the 'pressure evaders' segment he is a get out of jail free card. Bissouma makes space for 1 or 2 teammates by taking on 2-3 attackers in a press and beating them. I would say how Ange uses Bissouma is the smartest and best thing I've seen for years. He might become what Moussa Dembele used to be back in the day for us. My MVP of this team week in week out personally.

[@FastEddie86]

Yes we never lost when dembele played.

[@shinzyyf154]

💯 alot of fans only notice the goals nd assist! Without Bissou, we spend most of the game passing between defenders nd keeper before booting the ball forward

[@calumroche2851]

Honourable mentions for Udogie, and Romero and Van de Ven.

[@jamesbubbastewartjr]

I agree

[@stevenkorn7499]

The other players must love Bis. Pass it to him and off we go....

[@zacharyliles8657]

I think there's something to be said too for just the sheer talent level that he has at Spurs compared to every other club he's been at. People always talked about the rough start for Ange's teams, but besides the first half against Brentford the players look to have adjusted immediately. I wonder if it's the talent of the players that have allowed Ange's system to settle in so nicely and so quickly?

[@tom4115]

I think so. At the level of these players its a lot easier to always keep the ball and pass forwards. You don't have to rely of perfect execution of the system and the movements - which they don't have yet. Simply the structure, a pretty basic idea of the philosophy and the freedom to make mistakes is enough to dominate many premier league teams. But there is so much more to come, they are still in the early stages.

[@tbone2646]

I'm Australian, been following Ange for years and I agree. Every time he climbs a level people ask "can he do it at this level?" and it seems to me that the better quality of player available only makes it easier for him

[@Pisschangoatsmeller]

All of us players and fans included were so exhausted with these pretentious douchebag coaches and their cowardly and negative counter break philosophies

[@horsemouthjones9060]

You are right. When he was announced as manager, i remember loads of critics saying his system did not work with Celtic at the CL and would be found out in the EPL, but I argued it's was because the players were not good enough. The harder the league, the better the players you have at your disposal and long may this continue for Spurs and Ange. it's long overdue.

[@wgardi1762]

Was thinking this very thing. I think it may be a combination of the quality of players he has available to him and also he has now done this very same thing a few times over - in Australia, in Japan, in Scotland and now in England. I believe he has refined his approach and tactics and is better than ever at relaying this to his players.

[@Izrezar]

i'm a tottenham fan who's been following your stuff for a while, it makes me so happy to see you cover us

[@Bully1973]

I remember Brisbane Roar playing a similar way. The onus was on the player to be in a certain position to receive the ball, It was crazy but I never saw an Australian team play such scintillating football before or since.

[@geraldbutler5484]

Brisbane and Villa supporter living in Oz: The football was Barca down under. Ange had Broich as his Maddison. Old blokes set in their ways were eased out and as the winning mentality took over it had a snowballing effect. No histrionics from Ange, he’s planted firmly on the ground and loves his players. I am now a Spurs fan too.

[@Robert19002]

Ange did improve the level of all teams across the A-league where now we see properly structured play with complex movement, unlike the hoof and hope style in the past. It would have been though, great to see the Australian FA take his playing style and integrate this into the curriculum as I’d love to the the National teams take this to the rest of the world.

[@Bully1973]

@pipert10 Ange did in 2014, we genuinely had the Netherlands on the ropes. Uortunately, we've reverted back to the counter. Though we had a good result recently under Arnie.

[@BigRenz13]

​@@geraldbutler5484would you support villa in a game vs spurs if spurs winning meant the title for them?

[@myaccalt]

brisbane roar was unstoppable then, they went 36 games in a row undefeated when ange was their manager

[@DM-ol1ch]

I have watched Ange for years and something that goes unmentioned often is the fact his system is heavily reliant on quick and composed centernacks that give the other players confidence to push on into the final third knowing that even though they play a high line they have center backs that can handle quick long ball transition from the opposition.

[@rawfitnessforlife1572]

So true... which means if we lose any of our current 2 we might be in a spot of bother. Both Dier and Davies have concrete in their boots. Gonna be interesting to see if Ange really does throw Ashley into the mix if VdV or Cuti go down. 🤞those 2 make it to Jan

[@marsalah70]

As long as the 2 centerbacks and DM is pretty solid it is unstoppable

[@ozzymick1431]

You may have seen reports on other sites/posts, but apparently Spurs may be making Celtic an offer they can't refuse for Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, both protegés of Ange. They'll do well in the centres. Just check out Celtic matches 2021-2023.

[@user-vc1nt1kp2n]

If you like Tottenham, you need to watch Milan this season. Very fluid. Almost a mix between Postecoglou and the more possession heavy teams. Would love your analysis on them

[@faisal-qw7bb]

Derby milano definitely gonna caught many eyes around the world next

[@yungguattari4924]

Indeed a very exciting side to watch. To be fair, the Serie A might be the most interesting league this season in terms of impredictability and competitiveness. Roma seems to be going stale, but if they recover we could be talking about 6-7 teams seriously contending for the title. At least the challenge to be in the top 4 will be fierce.

[@blackn7150]

Saw Milan against the Toon. Don't see Milan progressing from group.

[@user-vc1nt1kp2n]

@@blackn7150 i saw the Toon against Milan. I don't see the Toon progressing from the group.

[@yallenbyy]

Thanks bro! One of the best Spurs AngeBall analysis I have read in KZbin & Twitter so far! Fluid rigidity is really a nice description by Ange himself By comparing with other positional play coaches like Pep, Ange's tactics is more dynamic to allow flexibility & freedom to players to work on combo play -- it looks like "positional play" mixing with "relationism" AngeBall indeed gives me a feel like the team is keeping working on rondo passing drill throughout the pitch along with the ball movement by creating overloading & passing triangles you mentioned in video Exciting to see how far AngeBall can lead Spurs to & how his tactics can transform the football world

[@AbdullahiSalah-n5o]

Iraola of Bournemouth and kompany's burnley are teams set up to suffocate opponents with constant press and spurs were fairly comfortable, the real tests are coming tho with liver and arsenal being 2 of their 3 next fixtures. Lets see how they cope with that. Beautiful side to watch from a football fan perspective no doubt.

[@PazLeBon]

meanwhile steve cooper gets results against man citeh, pool, arsenal and chelsea with a championship squad. id say hes probabaly more proven at this point and they could be a club to watch

[@terenceorourke2535]

Didn’t do too badly v liver and ars

[@CH-yp5by]

The other great things about Ange is his great ability to communicate and relate well to players and backroom staff but also his ability to pick players that he knows he can coach and do what he tells them moreover, find players that have the ability to play his style of football, which is why he does not need to go out and pick super expensive football stars, he has shown by casting the net very wide globally he can find quality players with his scouts and get the best out of those players.

[@johnmcgrath200]

With Celtic, they were a relentless team who would smother opponents with attacks and press from the start (this was the case in Europe, too, including against Real Madrid who could barely get out of their own half for 45 mins) However, if opponents made it to, say, 60 minutes into the game and the scores were level, Celtic's energy levels were much lower and it became easier to pick them off in the final third of the matches. Amazing, amazing football to watch, though

[@Harry-jz1dn]

That 60 minutes burnout thing is a bit of a myth started by Rangers supporters to make out the system was flawed and easily exploited... which they never did funnily enough. Celtic scored plenty of late goals because they were relentless to the end and Ange made subs at the right times. Teams like Man City, Real Madrid are constantly on the front foot and in attack, albeit a different system, and maintain it cos they're elite athletes. The Celtic defeat against Madrid had nothing to do with Celtic running out of steam after that first half, but more to do with Madrid just having better players. I'm not saying Angeball can't be exploited, teams in the EPL will in time find ways to exploit the inverted FBs as it's not Aberdeen or Hearts playing against him. Spurs loss in the cup came to him making lots of changes to starting XI, that didn't surprise me, Celtic struggled when he did that too. It's a system that needs a settled XI to play. All just my opinion tho. Best of luck tho, hope he at least gets Spurs in top 4.

[@ChandlerRossBing]

@@Harry-jz1dnWhats the counter to this tactic of football? extra wide wingers with wide mids? overloading ball side?

[@BeatPoet67]

Madrid beat us because ultimately they had the quality of player to withstand and beat our press. Spurs are much closer to the top teams in England than we were to Madrid - so Angeball will be more successful. The ideas translate. As will the ideas to suppress...

[@otto_jk]

​@@ChandlerRossBingwith spurs the obvious weakness is that Porro is extremely attacking which makes Romero having to do the work of 2 defenders so target the space behind Porro and have Romero take a yellow and then double team him.

[@otto_jk]

​@@ChandlerRossBingfast forwards and a creative midfielder passing them through is always a solid tactic against any possession based team. Mourinho's Inter Milan against Barcelona a prime example.

[@WillGerardus]

As a dutchman it's nice that the basics of Cruijff 'total football' still work. Well executed bij Tottenham 👏🏻

[@hmq9052]

Total football came from the Spurs push and run team of the early 1950s. Look up Arthur Rowe

[@nathanhosea489]

​@@hmq9052 Before that there was Matthias Sindelar and the Austrian Wunderteam of the 1930s. Before that, Jimmy Hogan

[@marcohanig176]

Agree 100% ...I am old enough to have seen Cruijff play, but if you can remember teams from the 30's and 50's, you deserve to teach a football history course!

[@zacharyliles8657]

This is by far the best breakdown I've seen on Angeball yet. Thanks for this mate, well done!

[@jordandavis3867]

What makes spurs so dangerous is they have numerous players in their team that can pick up the ball and drive forward with it. It's hard to control a team like that in midfield.

[@libbydobson1317]

We've always had good players.. I think there's a lot went on in the locker room. Conte was right about we have a lot of selfish players but it was his job to get rid of them but he couldn't. Ange's great. He got rid of those before the season started. Once we got rid of all those old farts we finally have our team back. We play as a team now.

[@Glenn7719]

@@libbydobson1317 Think the way Conte played, the players probably didnt want that, same as the fans didnt either. Boring, drab football, probably sucked the life out of them, confidence was shot as there was only one player who looked like they were playing football, and he has gone. Every player has stepped up, and those players whos heads were down last season, are now been held high.

[@GJ-dv8uq]

back when Ange was in Australia after he left the national team he would come scout NPL games, i remember his watching us play his old club South Melbourne and they absolutely demolished us. triangles everywhere it felt like prime barca lol. his influence on Australian football, tactics and culture just massive. i’m hoping he’ll have the same impact at spurs

[@JC-kz3ut]

Con is that everything hinges on Bissouma being world class. An injury or a suspension, and we are well and truly fucked. I think Bentancur can easily cover, but Bissouma has been pretty special.

[@accordblaze]

Most teams would struggle if they lost one of their key players. Bissouma is obviously one of them. I think Bentancur could play that role for Spurs. I would trust him more than a more traditional (but limited) DM like Hojberg or Skipp.

[@pumelelabanca1442]

The Uruguayan guy can play that role too if he is fit. I forget his name.

[@darthrevan6861]

@@pumelelabanca1442 Its Bentancur :D

[@mcshaggy2]

Ange plays a system and does not rely on any one player. The fact that Bissouma is world class is why Spurs have adapted so quickly. It will take time for the whole squad to get up to speed and then Ange will be able to slot in other players without losing too much team potency.

[@trevorsaunders580]

​@@accordblazeBrighton didn't struggle.

[@raffym29]

I felt that when Richarlison was playing we have been playing a 10 man team. When Solomon came on, it was incredible. I hope we can keep our players injury free and push forward.

[@JR-nm3xj]

Richarlison's movement and positioning has created space for others. For example, dragging defenders to the near post for Spurs opening goal vs Man Utd.

[@raffym29]

@@JR-nm3xj Spurs didn't pay £60m for him to have better positioning in a field of play. He's paid to score goals. He has had many chances to prove himself, and unfortunately the 7 or so goals he has scored is not justifiable. I don't doubt that his positional play has been good. Not great - good. As you have said, he created space for others and pushed people out of play vs man united. However he played vs Fulham in the carabao cup and despite his goal, he was poor otherwise. I really want him to get better. Reminds me of soldado many years ago, and son last season.

[@baliDOTid]

@@JR-nm3xj LOL

[@user-ed7et3pb4o]

@@raffym29you must feel a bit silly now, or else quite pleased? The lad’s just got a crucial goal and assist

[@raffym29]

@@user-ed7et3pb4o I’m over the moon. I was there at the stadium, and trust me when I say I’m really happy for Richarlison. But he’s going to have to be consistent and continue to build his confidence. One 20 minute performance where he scores a goal and assist isn’t good enough. But I have full faith in him to succeed. In Ange we trust.

[@architagarwal275]

Actually pep learned inverted wing back system from ange in Japan

[@alvinbernasko1464]

Really how true?

[@PaulCowderoy]

This is complete garbage 😂😂😂 Pep was running his inverted fullbacks when he was at Barca and Bayern and got it from Cruyff in the 90’s who was the first to implement it into a structured system. Facts help..

[@puskas_baller]

Pep didn't, but Ange did play them first.. Some more on Ange's history and his tactics: Ange Postecoglou: "My dad, he worked very hard. Before I'd get up for breakfast he would already be at work. At nights, he'd get in, get through dinner quickly, sit on the couch and fall asleep. For a young boy, I was looking for a connection with my father and the weekend was the time. We'd go to our local club, South Melbourne, which was a club formed by immigrants of a similar background from Greece, and that Sunday at the football became something special to me. My father, who I knew as a certain kind of individual during the week - and to be fair he wasn't fun to be around, because he was always tired and working hard-just came to life. He would walk through those gates, socialise with everyone, get really animated about the referee and coach and football, and I wouldn't leave his side. That Sunday was really precious to me. I also have stark and vivid memories of being woken in the middle of the night and knowing there was a game of football on the tele that he wanted me to watch with him. It felt like we were the only two people up in the whole world and watching a game from the other side of the world. For me, that was precious, because it just brought me closer to my dad. He really loved watching the entertainers. It started in the early 1970s. He loved Leeds, people like Eddie Gray and Peter Lorimer. And in 1974, the first World Cup I remember, he kept talking about Johan Cruyff and the Dutch. In the early to mid 1970s I started following Liverpool, because the football they were playing used to excite my father as well. They were a possession-based team. He influenced the kind of football I liked and that has stuck with me. I really struggled in my playing career because I couldn't be the player who would excite my father. I was a defender and fairly limited in my technical ability. My father passed away a couple of years ago and when my teams play I still pretend my father is watching in the grandstand and would he be enjoying watching this team? That has always been the route of everything I have done. I can't shift, because where it all started from is more powerful than any challenges I'll get externally, from owners or media or supporters questioning my beliefs. They are so deep-rooted they can never change." In terms of tactics, I see some people saying Ange is just copying Pep (and even Arteta's) tactics.. Ange was coaching way before Arteta even finished playing. Ange started playing like this in the early 2000's. He used tactics like this in Australia when Pep was still a player. When Ange's Yokohama played Pep's Man City, Yokohama had 58% possession. They lost, but Pep still said, Yokohama played football the way he wanted Man City to play. Besides the inspiration from his father and wanting to make football his dad would find exciting, Ange takes a lot of inspiration from when he played for & became friends with the great Ferenc Puskas. Yes that Puskas, from the Hungarian team of the 50's. And his fluence on Ange is ever present.

[@zakikonde5566]

​@@puskas_ballernonsense

[@I_am_you96420]

Imagine if they win something this season (also mentioning the fact that kane left💀💀)

[@Thomas-zs5wt]

as a spurs fan its getting really annoying people saying we wont survive without kane, we have played 4 games and we have got three wins and havent lost, we have only lost in the caraboa cup which is a pointless trophy and we just smashed burnley and we are looking good

[@クァァァアアアア]

@@Thomas-zs5wtspurs can’t even win a “pointless trophy”😂😂

[@Thomas-zs5wt]

@user-xi9ru5dp7f yeh and its a pointless trophy why would we want it, thats like saying champions league is a pointless trophy but you still want to win it, if its a pointless trophy why would you want to win it

[@b__c7538]

@@Thomas-zs5wtBecause you have NO trophies 😂

[@Thomas-zs5wt]

@@b__c7538 yeh you didnt answer why would we want a pointless trophy and we do have trophys do your research

[@nizarnafti3575]

What you said about Madison is also seen in other players such as Udogie

[@Nimsan]

As a Swede I'm so excited for this Tottenham team since Kulusevski is in it and seems to be enjoying himself this season!!

[@Titantr0n]

Glad to see this channel grow so fast! Another brilliant video for us not well versed in tactics.

[@Kakhsa]

I love your videos man……I’ve been binging them ever since I found your channel.the thing that separates you from other channels is that you use visuals and pictures to explain your thoughts and a very clear and concise way. You also do an excellent job of highlighting the key but sometimes subtle difference between systems. A good example from this video is Postecoglu’s prioritization of central passing options vs De Zerbi’s focus on creating space for receivers despite both playing a positional system. You are brilliant my friend. Keep up the good work!

[@thepurist_]

Thanks, glad you enjoy :)

[@iSnaaacky]

This is the best analysis on Postecoglou’s tactics and strategy that I have seen so far. Great breakdown.

[@alexsibanda6390]

Many of usvwere actually warned by other fans like Celtics that Ange wiuld revolutionize Spurs, many of us were doubting Thomases ,but now we're there!

[@PazLeBon]

when that fickle they will be hounding him out after xmas lol

[@RootlessNZ]

I'm anxious to see how Ange's system works against Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City. These games will be the true tests of where Spurs are currently at.

[@tom4115]

You can't put little Arteta up against big Ange. That just isn't fair. Bloke is barely out of nappies. Ange will crush them all.

[@Lmlappin1]

Yes🎉

[@terrya8989]

Ange has already stated, there will be bumps in the road, so don't be surprised if Liverpool and Man City do them. He has only been there three months. remember.

[@PazLeBon]

@@terrya8989 forest beat pool, arsenal ,brighton and drew with chelsea and citeh at home sooo we shall see if ange can compete with that

[@micah0190]

@@tom4115We’ll come back to this comment after NLD

[@jackunderhill4444]

I’m as hyped as the rest of us. We’re playing the best since peak Potch. BUT I’m trying to temper my excitement, it’s early. A better finish than last year whilst playing way better football is good with me.

[@3OverEasy]

I absolutely love videos like this! I am still learning the game, and I have been following the PL and a few other of the Top Leagues for a little over 3 years now. It wasnt easy to get games here in the States for most of my life, but in the past 7-8 years, now you can watch just about any games from anywhere! I hate that it took so long for us to really get into Soccer/Football here, but better late than never! Anyway, videos like these are not just fun, but they help me to understand strategy a lot better. Thank you for posting this video!

[@cmcc4662]

Ange even incorporates the ball boys into his system, top speed when his team attacks and a go slow when opposition is in attack.

[@sorinruga3434]

Both you and fourfourtwo released this at the same time. People seem to be really impressed with big ange

[@nonhlanhlangwenya2126]

Credit to the guy who made the video😢🎉 this is a great insight man I'm just blown away 😅😊

[@christopherkuppers1607]

Stacking the centre and building through it makes sense, considering a pass to a wide fullback is considered weak and thus a pressing trigger for most teams.

[@tom4115]

Yep. A wide fullback he 90 degrees of the field to play with. Very difficult.

[@AmaPaxDeus]

Keeping Dier away from the roster is the most decisive reason Ange is so successful so far. Without Eric on the roster, Cristian Romero has become much more efficient. Without an efficient centerback, it is extremely hard for any team to win the match.

[@saifabidalbloushi]

Bro we need that brazil match analysis, the fluminense coach had his first game as a brazil coach

[@quinten3628]

Can you do brighton with ansu fati when they have played a few games? I really hope he can get his old form back but brighton do already have mitoma and ferguson so im very curious about how ansu can fit in their first eleven.

[@thepurist_]

I’ll be keeping an eye out for sure.

[@I_am_you96420]

Yea as a Barca fan, I am interested in finding out how he plays at brighton

[@eltayebtaha]

@@thepurist_ can you make a video about the problems that xavi's barca is going through in these last games and how they can be solved.

[@Harry-jz1dn]

I didn't even know her moved to Brighton. Wow. That's a fall from grace.

[@liamburns8554]

He won’t. Read into his injury and surgery nightmare scenario. Since then his career is only going downhill. Sad but true

[@seanmaguire380]

Watched this for two years when he was Celtic manager winning 5 out of 6 trophies. Exciting attacking football blitzing teams week in week out. With players who aren't same quality as Spurs players. We got spanked in Europe because playing against better players they exploited spaces on the wings, in behind where fullbacks should be. Spurs fans will enjoy watching their team play full on for 100 minutes every single game. Good luck to Ang and thanks for the memories.

[@danielnichols3594]

I know we've brought in some new players but why is it under this system that we are able to retain possession so much better in the midfield and actually dribble the ball up field without constantly being dispossessed, losing possession through poor touches? I'm very impressed although we've yet to face the better teams in the league. It's just so refreshing after watching the team under Conte where we were hopeless at the back and had a really unbalanced squad that made it hard to progress the ball. I'm not getting my hopes up too much this season but the improvement and entertainment value is very visible and I'm loving my Spurs again.

[@XskinkX]

I can't answer your questions directly but as an Aussie, I can say that what you're seeing is what Ange has brought to each club he's been at since becoming a manager. The Brisbane Roar were woeful before Ange arrived, then they won three titles in a row. He then went to Melbourne Victory and again, brought the same attacking football but still with a mantra of valuing possession. He then did it in Japan and obviously again with Celtic. He's also very good with recruitment and bringing the best out of the squad he builds.

[@stephencruickshanks3794]

It's cos the way the full backs play you usually have an extra couple of players in midfield to give and receive passes. He did exactly the same at Celtic.

[@Killerelite03]

Love how you’re adding clips from the moments you’re highlighting

[@oscarblack1661]

You said at the end how clear his philosophy is already. He has far more experience at a range of levels than any other premier league manager. Creating the very same structure with a salary cap in the A league for example is extremely valuable experience as a coach. Now Ange has the most resources and the best players in his career, sky really is the limit because his mentality is that every game is a must-win and that you must never back down. It could be very possible for him to win multiple trophies in a couple of years. great for us aussies to see someone who was pretty much chased out of Australia finally getting global respect.

[@cjcawe]

Bissouma is key. Without a player (ala Dembele) who can turn to take out the press player, triangles are just triangles and theory.

[@cjcawe]

Add Madison as the advanced player to do something with what's being created. Otherwise it's null and void. What's now missing is a world class no9 to finish it off.

[@Lmlappin1]

Yea imagine bentancur in the mix🎉

[@1989WesleyGray]

I'm a born spurs supporter. I'm so glad Tottenham is finally positively spoken about. It's been some rough years, but I finally enjoy watching content about Tottenham. COYS!!!

[@057rcbartman]

maddison is a joy to watch, his style is like watching beckham , his movement and stroking the ball , balance and vision.

[@brokok17]

Maddison is our new Van der Vaart, very creative player, and always find the space to recieve the ball.

[@TommoC123]

He did the same at Melbourne victory. Due to the lower skill level it took our players a few months to make it work, but his system served us well for a number of years during and after his tenure. Having top tier players at his disposal makes his remodeling much more effective

[@farfromit7654]

Crazy you mentioned all of the other players names and praises them but not a single comment on our captain who had most key passes in the last three games total as well as most goals so far who played as a LW and switched to no9 if needed with no issue.

[@ChandlerRossBing]

What more is there to say? He’s been our best player bar H for the past 4 yrs

[@chorakdoon6658]

He is not taking up a crucial role in this new tottenham. Calm down.

[@farfromit7654]

@@chorakdoon6658 he is mate. He is the best player. Go to bed.

[@grapeappletwist]

@@farfromit7654actually they are right he isn’t their best player right now

[@farfromit7654]

@@grapeappletwist he is

[@marlouabalona5079]

the way the team is still pressing after scoring the 5th is the actual philosophy of the whole thing

[@tom4115]

Shh. Don't tell them.

[@marcohanig176]

VERY well explained! It reminds me a bit of the Dutch "total football" in that players are constantly creating passing options, except that the structure is more rigid than the Dutch.

[@Robin-ie3ns]

Great explanation. The formation is so fluid that even as a Spurs fan it’s not always this clear how we’ve setup.

[@NaNi-rx2cc]

Great video, you should check out Michel's Girona (2nd in LaLiga after 4 matches), definitlely the most entertaining spanish team to watch right now

[@HumblePeon2]

This is very good analysis, more in depth than I have seen recently.

[@stefangrant1989]

Excellent video, really enjoyed this analysis of Ange’s system. Well described….👍🏾

[@sifisosithole9451]

Great analysis, the elvovlement of football is beautiful and a joy to watch...this Coaches do their homework and their tactics are clearly working because the style of play is just incredible it might not always bring positive results but it is beautiful!!

[@pbandj7764]

Excellent analysis and explanation

[@lemilemi5385]

the clearest summary to date on Ange’s system THANKS

[@siemsonpl3743]

i dont think ive seen more enterteining team in a while and i aint even spurs but just the way they play makes me happy

[@coincidencetheory5115]

and with the inverted full backs you will find that the wingers will have a bigger responsibility as the full backs are not as available to overlap as often....his mantra at Celtic was 'we never stop' Spurs fans are in for a treat. The sports science team will be important because his system is very stressing to the body with training sessions being full on.

[@arnabthreethreesixfivethre4841]

your take on Ange ball offers new perspectives than other youtube video about it

[@Local-vr6ji]

Spurs look dangerous this year. Two pretty gritty comebacks in a row. Love these videos mate. Keep up the great work!

[@tycannah4271]

Best explanation. Everything I was looking for to understand how Ange ball is different.

[@ozzymick1431]

Excellent analysis, easy to follow with great visuals! Liked and Subbed. COYS! COYA!

[@TheAlaskaalex]

Thanks for making this video. I have been looking forward to it ❤

[@the-arkk]

You forgot to add, No European football. Spurs are Premier League materials if they can keep their key players fit. It's amazing to watch Spurs play. Can't wait to see them against a low block Sheffield.

[@mattmaloney2445]

The more you can move a defence around the better chance of scoring late as fatigue sets in. I'm sure Big Ange has an eye for the total distance run by the opposition. Let ball movement force the defence to move. Big Ange knows Aussie Rules at an expert level and tiring the defence is a common ploy (especially on the wide expanses of the MCG where teams like Collingwood switch play but also get player numbers around the contest. Of course, loss of possession can create instant counterattack problems. It also helps to be the fittest team going around. Things looking up for spurs. They're a huge chance to finish top 4 and that golden European ticket.

[@dphipps3631]

Very good philosophy here Sir. It is an excellent way to play, along as you have the quality players available and not those who lose concentration easily.

[@levi5073]

Imagine a prime Dembele next to Bissouma

[@xxthesarcasm]

This is quality content and what youtube was made for. Great job, immediate subscribe. Top notch content ✌️

[@ScottSurname-yw7wt]

Enjoyed listening to your take on the spurs game at the moment,,Ange has opened up alot of the players abilities that were not allowed previously,,lookn forward to watching Spurs this season..even as a Hibs fan i watched Ange get Celtic to play in similar fashion even thought its always been a style Celtic have played 👏👍

[@stuffilike05]

Great breakdown. Have you done one of these for Pep and City? I'd love to see how it compares to this.

[@koladeakintunde5012]

Watched a couple of your videos now and I like your method of analysis. Great content. I had to subscribe right away

[@VoltronKnight]

Spurs never failed to have a press resistant CM/CDM in their setup for many years ie Dembele, Bentancur and now Bissouma.

[@vujhvjvgvfujk9888]

Moussa was something else though

[@s.m.1249]

I tell you what: The back and forth of ball between Hoijberg and Dier last 3 seasons just gave 2-3 seconds for all teams to get back in Shape So you are right: Ange immediately wants players turn and push ball forward And disrupt instead of boomeranging Hoijberg-Dier/Lloris

[@JonathanBriggs-q4u]

Australia (and New Zealand) are progressive in so many areas of business and across sports tactics / fitness (for a number of reasons). Good on Spurs for giving it a chance.

[@d3m3tri0]

Perfect explanation. You've got a new subscriber from Spain. Have a nice day :)

[@darrenbrodie9884]

This is a fantastic analysis. Well done.❤

[@Andres-sd6ie]

Dude .. super-clear, well-thought-out video. Excellent 👍

[@myfriendface]

Thank you for making your videos.. they are geniunly a joy to watch. I have been a Tottenham fan for most of my life as I used to live around the corner to the stadium for 25 years. I now live in between Bali and Thailand and your videos are watched by myself and my friends everytime you post one. They are very well researched, scripted and edited to a high standard. I am curious do you do everything yourself? Thanks again and keep up the amazing work. I salute the divinity within you.. 🙏

[@tillyhugs867]

Really high level video mate! Got a new sub from anges home in Melbourne!

[@tomiburic8167]

Fantastic channel and great comments from subs. Respect.

[@DB85110]

His was a great video, and yes they may end up being one of the best to watch teams in the PL. But his style and tactics will be determined by trophies that the win.

[@mrfreeze2446]

This is exceptional analysis COYS

[@xbulelo]

Whilst I agree that things are going well for Tottenham, that they are playing well, your possession based argument falls flat when you see that Manchester City have scored the same number of goals. Liverpool & Arsenal have scored 1 goal less. So, it’s not that Tottenham set out to “destroy” & the other teams don’t - they just go about destroying a different way.

[@Antrim1901]

Love watching AB in full flow

[@2ridiculous41]

I used to watch Brisbane when Ange was there and he turned them into the best team Australia ever saw.

[@victormontano6391]

Great breakdown video, this system is proving to be successful. It’s pleasing to watch spurs now. Coys!

[@CC-sp6kl]

9:28 spot on. Spurs are now struggling against a low block defense

[@sticksey8566]

Ange has turned our spurs round playing great football us supporters are totally behind him its now exciting to go watch spurs unlike the past 4 years

[@gegaoli]

Just discovered your channel two days ago. Fantastic work.

[@kalejeo6377]

True litmus test is coming for this team, hopefully they can maintain the same system against and draw out good results

[@pato2200]

The lone pivot of the one cdm is the key to the system. In scotland with celtic, this worked very well at celtic with calum mcgregor. In europe, it proved more problematic. In ucl first match v real celtic dominated and should have been two up at least. At half time, ancelotti changed the sydtem to a high press with close marking on mcgregor, and a goaless first half gave way to a Real 3-0 win. In scotland, this season teams have picked up in this with mcgregor, and even being specialist manmarked and celtic have had more problems. (Rangers did not do this, but michael beale is hardly a master tactician). Central to angeball is the ball playing pivot. He must have Excellent first touch Immediate decision-making First class distribution, especially under pressure. Teams in the epl will end up closely marking the pivot, even man marking hom italian style as everything goes through him. Teams, especially with two forwards, can designate a striker to pick up the pivot when possession is lost. Spurs might consider an upgrade on the admittedly good bissouma in january. But andrea pirlos or indeed even poorlos don't grow on trees.

[@trevor4092]

Break it Down And If you see Pochettinos Management style compared to Ange P. Poch was High Press And With King Kane of course the x factor combining with Son . Ange P is getting more creativity from Midfield and Finally we have a ball playing Midfielder in Super Maddie who can take the ball and turn and Get Spurs up the pitch far better now. Sarr and Bissouma are different players under Ange. Only when we play the big Guns will Spurs Fans know if we are truly progressing. But 4 games in There a platform there. Bentancour to return from injury will add even more to more effective and flowing midfield. And Defensively still questions but New Players at the back slowly getting settled. COYS! Could Ange P finally be the Manager that delivers success and Trophy's???

[@inchmaholm]

Very clear, outstanding analysis of Angeball. As a Celtic fan, I still haven’t recovered from his departure but hope he is as successful with Spurs as he was with Celtic. I expected Ange to allow Harry Kane to leave. It was the right decision, Spurs are better off without him (financially and in terms of team spirit).

[@marty8187]

The big mans a genius. Most exciting football i’d seen at Celtic , good luck big man 🍀

[@2coinaphrase121]

Great analysis as always 💪

[@JamesLawrenceAllcott]

Great video 👏🏻

[@simplycvrsive]

The way you describing this tottenham set up(ange ball) feels similar to the train of thought that real madrid play with. As much as real madrid don't have a set structure, particularly when on the ball, players have creative freedom to move around. but what's important in that structure is players are aware of their teammates' movements, open spaces on the pitch, and disciplined runs forward. This could create something at the highest levels because with players and coaches being groomed into finding and creating a set system that well establishes their football identity, it could create a freedom of play in the game that can express creativity. Tactics are amazing, but watching a team develop a move through chemistry on the pitch rather than a managers instructions is better in my opinion.