Presser points | Spurs vs FC Bayern | Ange Postecoglou
Fri 09 August 2024, 18:15|
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou faced the media on Friday ahead of our pre-season match against FC Bayern on Saturday (5.30pm UK).
Speaking at a press conference Hotspur Way, Ange answered questions from the local and international media as we looked ahead to our final pre-season friendly as we take on the German giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Visit Malta Cup.
Here's what he had to say...
Ange was first asked how pre-season had gone so far...
Ange said: ""It's been pretty good. It's been pretty solid. Tour was good, well organised, less disruptive than last pre-season in terms of training. The games were really good. Each game was a little bit more of a challenge for us and conditions were tough, but the players got through it really well.
"As you said, we got the internationals back this week and we've had a really good week of training with them back - they help with the quality and intensity of our training. The key thing for us, and we still have 10 or so days to go, is to put in a good block of work and, for the most part, everyone is pretty healthy, which I guess from our point of view is the most important thing."
Ange Postecoglou was then asked to compare our preparations for his first season in charge compared to this summer's work...
Our Head Coach said: "I feel we're better prepared for sure. This time last year, there were still a lot of things happening, a lot of comings and goings. Like I said, the pre-season tour was pretty disruptive - we probably didn't have the games we wanted to. It was a little bit of a leap into the unknown.
"It feels like we're better prepared. The training sessions have gone up a notch this year compared to last year because of the player familiarity and the coaches which we have. I think everyone thinks they've had a fantastic pre-season but, until we get to that first game, none of us really know. As I sit here right now, I think we're well prepared."
Ange was then asked on fan expectations for the team this term
Ange said: "I think fans expectations every year are they want to see their club winning and being successful. I don't think that necessarily should change or diminish because of change, particuarly at this football club, it's a big football club and its been there or thereabouts for a long time. You would like to think our fans are optimistic about the season ahead.
"For me it still comes down to the basic core principles of: we need to improve on last year, the areas where we fell short, and build on the areas where we did really well because what we do know, in the Premier League, is that the competition doesn't stand still. The teams ahead of us and the teams around us or behind us don't stay in the same place necessarily, they improve. So, for us, if we don't improve, we lose ground from where we are so we need to improve at a greater rate than the opposition. That's what we want to do. We want to push on from last year and, if we can improve our football, be more consistent, I think it'll put us in a decent place."
