fire Ange Postecoglou ahead of clash with Spurs

Southampton manager Russell Martin has defended struggling Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou ahead of Southampton's clash with Spurs, claiming he has "a lot of respect" for the Australian.

Postecoglou has been subjected to increasing criticism in recent weeks as his Spurs side have picked up just two wins in their last eight games, albeit with emphatic wins against Manchester City and Aston Villa respectively.

Tottenham battled to a 1-1 draw away at Rangers in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, while in their previous game they let a two-goal lead slip against London rivals Chelsea to eventually lose 4-3, conceding two sloppy penalties in the process.

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Postecoglou’s staunch commitment to his tactical approach has come under scrutiny in the aftermath of Spurs' recent failures.

But Martin took a different viewpoint, insisting Postecoglou’s Spurs team is "brave" and "aggressive", while acknowledging that they have also been "unfortunate with injuries".

The Southampton head coach highlighted Postecoglou’s Celtic team as an example of what the Australian is capable of if given time.

Postecoglou blasts Werner for ‘unacceptable’ performance against Rangers

Video credit: SNTV

The 59-year-old managed Celtic between June 2021 and June 2023, winning two leagues, two Scottish League Cups and a Scottish Cup.

"There was so much praise for being so aggressive, so brave, relentless restarts, energy… he did a great job," Martin said.

"So, when results are good no one questions the style or his conviction or belief system and the minute it starts faltering it’s always down to that."

Southampton's struggles

Martin has also been criticised for his tactical stubbornness as his newly promoted Southampton side sit rock bottom of the Premier League with just one win and only five points from 15 games.

"If you believe in something, and it’s taken you a certain way in life and on a certain pathway and journey, to deviate too far from that I think is crazy," Martin said in defence of his principles.

Southampton manager Russell Martin looks dejected after his side's 1-0 Premier League defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park on December 7, 2024

Image credit: Getty Images

"I can’t speak for him [Postecoglou] but we are adapting. We adapt shape, we adapt approach, we adapt personnel but with the same consistency in what’s really important, with the same concept of the game so we can’t deviate too far from that otherwise we become nothing really.

"Everyone is just quick to criticise these days and I have a lot of respect for him."

Southampton have lost four of their last five games and are already eight points adrift of safety in the Premier League.

Tottenham, meanwhile, have lost their last two league games and have not won in the league since their 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City in late November.

The two out-of-form sides meet on Sunday at 19:00 UK time, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

How to watch Southampton v Tottenham

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

Southampton v Tottenham will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 with coverage from 18:00 UK time on Sunday, December 15, ahead of a 20:00 kick-off.

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