Presser points | Spurs vs AS Roma | Ange Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou spoke to the media at Hotspur Way ahead of our UEFA Europa League MD5 clash against AS Roma at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night (8pm UK).

Here's what he had to say...

Vicario

No surprises that the first topic was Ange's reaction to the news that Guglielmo Vicario had fractured his ankle 30 minutes into our 4-0 win at City on Saturday - and that he'd completed the match...

Ange: "I guess, a bit of a shock first of all. We saw he picked up an injury during the game. We saw at half-time, but there was no doubt about him continuing. You kind of digest that. Post-game he was sore but he played 60 minutes with a sore ankle. We will tape it up and go again. But, and I guess externally now people realise, it is a testament to him as a person. He is as tough as nails, as tough as they come. The fact he played at that level for 60 minutes with a fractured ankle was quite outstanding. When the shock off it wears off, you process he is going to be missing for a while. Knowing him, he will push the limits as to how long that is and you will get daily updates about that through his Instagram. It's a big blow, but for him personally because he was having an outstanding season for us and really growing as a leader within the group. But we have dealt with setbacks before and we will deal with this."

Vicario is probably a hero to Tottenham fans for playing through that injury?

Ange: "Yeah, I think so. Externally, people probably now realise what we knew about him internally. It is the reason why I made him part of the leadership group this year because you just see the way he goes about his business on a daily basis. He has a really strong mentality. He wants to be better. I give the guys days off, I guarantee he will be in anyway doing something. He is just that kind of person. It was an unbelievable performance. Irrespective of the injury, it was a really strong performance from him but taking that into context it is certainly one for the record books of this club in terms of outstanding performances."

Form

Ange was asked, 'what Tottenham will we see tomorrow?'

Ange: "You will see the same Spurs you see every game. It’s about going out there trying to play our football and trying to be the best we can be. Sometimes that doesn’t work out and it hasn’t worked out for us in a couple of games this year. We know that and it’s something we need to improve. At the same time, there has been more good than bad. If you are looking for likely outcomes, I would say good. We have had the flat spots that we are working through but I don’t discount the football we have played either. I think we have played some outstanding football. For me it is just about progress. I keep saying it, we are a better side than we were last year and we want to keep improving. If we keep improving then the areas where there are gaps we will slowly overcome."

Claudio Ranieri

Ange was asked for his thoughts on new Roma boss - Claudio Ranieri, back in the game at 73...

Ange: "It’s unbelievable. It just goes to show the passion he has for the game. I’m sure there are more enjoyable ways to live his life now, but he still has it in him. I’ve not come across him before, but I’m looking forward to saying hello. It’s always nice to meet people who’ve made a massive impact on football, particularly managers. He’s always come across as a gentleman. I’m looking forward to meeting him. It just goes to show that bug you have as a manager, for being on the touchline, doesn’t leave you."

Were you inspired by Leicester's fairytale under Ranieri?

Ange: "I don't know if it's inspired but certainly it's what I love about football. There aren't many sports where that can happen, such an unlikely story of a club and a manager, who had already had a really strong reputation, it comes together like that in the biggest league in the world. It's a hell of a story. It's one of those where if you saw it in a movie, you'd think great movie but ahhh it's never going to happen. And it did. Everyone who lived that experience within Leicester football club and everyone associated with the people in there and for Claudio and his family... that's all we crave, just to leave some sort of imprint and footprint in our careers that lasts beyond our ability to do what we do, he's certainly left an enormous footprint with that season at Leicester."

Back to Vic... and Fraser

Ange was asked if he had a timeframe for Vicario's recovery...

Ange: "Not really. It’s not going to be weeks, it’ll be months. He’s had surgery and there’s certain timelines. I don’t like giving timelines so early in a process like that because it puts undue pressure on the players and some expectations, but once we get past the rehab stage and he’s getting out there we’ll have a clearer idea."

You're confident that Fraser Forster can step up?

Ange: "That’s why he’s here. He’s already played in the Carabao Cup and a couple of European games. That’s the reason we’ve played in him and why he’s in the squad. He’s ready to go."

Calcio!

Ange was asked, 'what's your perception of Italian football and have you ever been close to joining an Italian club?'

Ange: "I haven't been close. There's always been a connection. Again, coming from Australia, you'll know, especially Melbourne, there's a really strong Italian community, very passionate about their football. There was always an interest in Italian football. Like I said, it's gone through various stages. From the great AC Milan days and so forth, where some of the best foreigners in the world were playing in Italy and the some of the best Italian players were. I never had a team in Italy, but I always loved it. Obviously Sacchi (Arrigo Sacchi, former Milan and Italy coach) is one of the geniuses of Italian football and I loved watching Sampdoria play when Luca (Vialli) was there. So I've always had an interest in it It's always been at different levels, but you always know when you play Italian teams, because they're so passionate about their football, that's always shown in their teams. I've never been close to going there but I love the country, love the food."

As it stands...

It was put to Ange that the UEL table is starting to take shape, and he was asked, 'how big would it be for you to take hold of a place in the top eight and skip that extra round?'

Ange: "That certainly needs to be the aim. My goal is to stay on that first page because I just can't scroll down below that, so it makes it easier for me at my age and my eyesight to look at it. So, any win that keeps us on that first page is good. Look, our European form, obviously the Galatasaray game was a disappointing one for us, but in general it's been really good. And, again, not in easy circumstances. We had a red card after five minutes of the first game (3-1 win against Qarabag). We played a lot of young players through it, and we've given a lot of players game time, which has been really good because I think the benefit of Europe for us, apart from we're in a good position, is that guys like Radu and Ben can come in at the weekend and do a good job because they've played significant games. We didn't have that last year with our European football, guys like Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, all these guys are getting game time. Obviously, Mikey, before he picked up the illness. So, through us still making some significant changes, we've maintained some decent form and we want to continue that. I think the quicker you can guarantee that top eight spot, that leaves you that little bit of latitude, obviously, for two less games in the second half of the year, I think that certainly has to be our aim."