Presser points | Tamworth 0-3 Spurs (AET) | Ange Postecoglou
Sun 12 January 2025, 19:45|
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou spoke to the media pitchside at The Lamb Ground after our 3-0 win against Tamworth in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Here's what he had to say after an own goal (101 minutes) and strikes from Dejan Kulusevski (107) and Brennan Johnson (118) in extra time saw us home 3-0 and set up a tie against Aston Villa at Villa Park in the fourth round...
Ange on the players sticking to the task...
"Firstly credit to Tamworth, I thought they gave everything and gave a really good account of themselves. We knew it would be a challenging afternoon for us with the surface making it really difficult for us to play in the manner we wanted to. It is easy to get frustrated on days like this but the lads kept their heads clear and calm and persisted and eventually overpowered them."
On relishing the occasion...
"Why wouldn’t you? It’s the beauty of this tournament. I’m sure all Tamworth will remember the day. As they should because their team played really well and we will remember it too because it’s a unique experience for us in terms of the kind of challenge we had today. I enjoyed it. It was a good day."
On any frustration that some players had to play 120 minutes with Arsenal next on Wednesday night...
"No, no, the main thing is that we got the job done and we got through, whether it's 90 minutes or whatever it was. We would have preferred to have finished it off earlier but at the end of the day we got through to the next round and that's the main thing."
On being tempted to 'bring on the cavalry' sooner...
"No, I thought we controlled the game and had some really good opportunities we should have finished. I thought the keeper made some really important saves for them. I thought we were going ok. There were a couple of players like Mikey (Moore, his first action since November), who probably played more than I wanted him to today, but he actually grew into the game and was having a good spell when I took him but he hasn't played for two months. The rest of the boys I think felt comfortable playing as much as they did."
On Antonin Kinsky's display...
"It was a good challenge for him. That's one of the unique things about Tamworth because every time they get into your half the ball gets into your box whether it's a throw-in or free-kick, that's where it ends up. You have to defend in your box. It doesn't matter how well you try to keep them away even with a throw from the halfway line. I thought Toni and all the lads handled it really well because it's always a bit of a lottery when it comes in, particularly with the way they launch it. It was good for Toni to get through that."
On Mikey's return...
"Brilliant, great to get him some game time. I think he's itching to get back as well. He's missed a fair bit of football. It just adds another attacking threat to us and I'm sure after today he'll feel a lot better. As I said, I think he was a bit rusty at the start but he definitely grew into the game."
