Tottenham lack discipline in key moments – Ange Postecoglou،
LONDON — Ange Postecoglou said he was frustrated by his team's “inability to stay disciplined” after Spurs staged a second-half comeback to beat Brentford 3-2 in an ill-tempered match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Wednesday.
Spurs were forced to come back from a goal down after Neal Maupay put the visitors ahead, but it was the Brentford striker's imitation of James Maddison's dart-throwing celebration that got the players de Postecoglou seemed to object.
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“I think we started the game well and started with good intensity and rhythm. Obviously they scored and then we lost our way,” Postecgolou said.
“We just lost our focus. I was a little frustrated with our inability to stay disciplined and there was just too much stopping and starting and it kind of played into their hands, [there were] a lot of set pieces and throw-ins. We spent more time talking to the referee than playing the game and I was just frustrated that we lost a very clear focus.”
Maddison was seen confronting Maupay as the former Everton striker returned to his own half in preparation for the match to resume.
Asked if Maupay's celebration had excited his team, Postecoglou replied: “I hope not, because that's exactly what I'm talking about… I'm not a fan of it.
“I don't like all this bravado of pushing people around. If you're that brave, then my players and their players can step into a UFC cage and I'll see how brave they are.
We're here to play football and that's what I want our guys to do. Focus on football and they shouldn't be motivated by things that aren't really important to us.”
Asked if he understood Spurs' anger at Maupay's behavior, Brentford head coach Thomas Frank replied: “If that's what irritates them, then they have a problem, I have to say it.”
Spurs scored twice, 73 seconds apart, in the opening minutes of the second half to take the lead before Richarlison added a third with his seventh goal in as many Premier League matches.
Brentford had a way back into the contest in bizarre fashion when Spurs left-back Destiny Udogie attempted a pass to goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario but instead gave the ball straight to Ivan Toney who failed to score. not mistaken with its finish.
“I mean, look, mistakes are going to happen, buddy,” Postecoglou said. He's a young man. He's worked hard and he was instrumental in the first goal, I think, by the way, obviously he scored, but just his training and he keeps showing up.
“I have no problem with Destiny. I thought he was good again and he made a mistake, but you know what? I've made more mistakes than that today, let alone in my career.”
Spurs held on after Toney's goal to claim all three points that moved them up to fourth in the Premier League, but Postecoglou was keen to downplay his side's position in the table with 16 matches to be played this season.
“It makes no difference,” the Australian coach said. “I think we've been out there all season, so it's nothing different for us. I think there's still a lot of growth on this team. Nights like tonight, nights like Friday This evening just shows me that we still have a long way to go and in that context, the fact that this team continues to produce and get results.
“I think that’s to their credit, but we need to continue to improve in many areas.”
