Ange Postecoglou has dismissed the suggestion that tiredness played a part in the error committed by Cristian Romero that led to the decisive moment in Sunday’s north London derby defeat against Arsenal.
The Gunners won a tight contest thanks to a second half Gabriel Magalhaes header which came after the Brazil international had easily escaped the attentions of Romero.
Tottenham’s defensive linchpin was heavily criticised for his role in the goal and after the match appeared, by retweeting a post on X that was subsequently deleted, to criticise his club’s decision not to put on private travel that would have seen him arrive back from international duty earlier.
‘It wasn’t mentioned to me before the game,’ said Postecogulou when asked about Romero’s social media activity prior to tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup tie at Coventry.
‘I knew nothing about it. The players got back on Thursday and we had a Sunday game. No one reported anything other than the usual checks of people coming back from international duty so prior to the game – no one said anything.’
Postecoglou, meanwhile, did not escape criticism himself following a third straight defeat against Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and was mocked in some quarters after he vowed to win a trophy in his second season at the club.
‘It’s amazing – I just stated a fact – should I lie? he said. ‘It’s confusing to me – people making a big deal.
‘I am not sure how I am supposed to answer something that’s true and it seems like I upset some people for some reason. Is it me boasting? How am I supposed to answer something?
‘It is true and I am not sure why people think I am boasting about it. If you achieve something, aren’t you supposed to say ‘yes I have, I hope to again’.
‘It is true and my plan is for it to happen this year and if it doesn’t happen then I will say it is mostly – but not always.’
He added: ‘Every game is an opportunity for us to get on that road to success. The cup competitions, there is a definite timeline there so you know you’ve got to win to progress so the focus is there.’