Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts has shared his opinions on current affairs at the club, speaking about their looming UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie and Head Coach Ange Postecoglou.
Roberts, who is now 65, joined Spurs from Weymouth in 1980 and went on to make 278 appearances in North London, winning the FA Cup twice and a UEFA Cup, which has since been rebranded to the UEFA Europa League - a competition which could determine the future of Postecoglou.
His passion for the badge was second to none, with Roberts losing three teeth in the 1981 FA Cup final victory, yet refused to leave the pitch in order to help his side beat Manchester City. The defender also captained the side to their 1984 UEFA Cup triumph over Anderlecht and scored in the second leg of The Lilywhites' final against their Belgian opposition.
Question: You were a big part of Spurs' success in the 1984 UEFA Cup. What do you make of their chances in the Europa League this season, and more specifically, the fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt coming up?
"I think Spurs have a decent chance of winning the Europa League this season. If they can get all their top players fit and, on the pitch, they are a match for anyone.
"It will be tough, as we’re in the business end of the competition, but Spurs have the capability of competing with the best of the teams left. Solanke, Maddison, Van de Ven, Vicario especially are crucial to be fit and start. It’s been a tough and hard season for Spurs, but this is their chance to finish really well.”
If there is someone who knows how to bring home this trophy, and more specifically bring it home to North London, than it's Graham Roberts.
There is absolutely no doubt Spurs are one of the stronger sides on paper left in the competition, and they haven't had a bad campaign in Europe either. They have only failed to pick up a victory on three occasions, one of which was a draw in the League Phase, alongside losses against Galatasaray in the same phase and AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of the Round of 16 being the other.
Apart from the loss in the Netherlands, those other two games took place with The Lilywhites missing a number of key players, so if they can be kept fit, and perhaps the Europa League is prioritised, then there could be a high chance they could be set for a date in Bilbao for the final at the end of May.
All that stands in their way is 180 minutes against Frankfurt, who lost a key player and goalscorer in Omar Marmoush in January, and either Lazio or Bodø/Glimt in the semi-final. Tricky ties, but more than winnable.
Postecoglou's style of play
For the best part of 20 months now, we have seen the former Celtic boss order his Tottenham side to press high up the pitch, defend with a high line and throw plenty of bodies forward in attack. However, it has reached a point where some fans have questioned whether it is actually benefitting the side.
During his reign, we have seen an unnatural amount of injuries, whether that be in training or from the strenuous amounts of effort some have been required to put into matches due to their role, but what remains to be seen is whether or not his style of football has been a key factor to the several injury crises he has had to face.
There's no doubt this had had a direct detrimental effect on his side. For example, they were top of the league before a number of key players got injured last season, derailing the season and eventually finishing fifth. Whilst in the current campaign, having played throughout the busiest period of the season with around thirteen senior players fit, the Premier League season has been ruined after a strong start.
Question: What have you made of Ange Postecoglou's style of play - is it sustainable long-term?
"The first 10 games of last season were brilliant. We caught everyone by surprise and were top of the league, scoring plenty of goals and excellent football.
"But teams have now found us out and we aren’t adapting to the way other teams are playing. So I don’t think it is sustainable. You have to adapt in game to the way the game is going and the players you have on the pitch are key to selecting a style of play. I don’t think it’s one way with whoever you have fit."
If, as Graham Says, the football is unsustainable, then it begs the question of whether or not Postecoglou is the man to lead Spurs past the summer.
Already we are seeing rumours that state a review will take place at the end of the campaign, whilst names such as Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola and Fulham's Marco Silva have been thrown around as likely candidates to replace the Australian.
It's set to be a big final two months for Postecoglou if he is to continue into a third season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with his laurels most definitely depending on whether or not he can break a 17-year trophy duct and bring European success to N17.