Tottenham cult hero explains why Ange Postecoglou can end trophy hoodoo despite Coventry slog
TOTTENHAM legend Gus Poyet believes Ange Postecoglou can win the Carabao Cup and end Spurs’ miserable trophyless run.
The North Londoners haven’t won any silverware since 2008 when they lifted the League Cup after beating Chelsea 2-1 in the final.
Postecoglou’s side didn’t convince that this streak will be coming to an end this season after a poor showing at Coventry in the Carabao Cup that saw them barely snatching a late 2-1 victory on Wednesday.
The Aussie tactician issued a defiant statement last week when he insisted that he “always” wins silverware in his second year in charge of any team.
Poyet loved the Tottenham manager’s confidence after years of predecessors compromising for a top-four spot and he believes his former club finally has a winner in the dugout.
The Chelsea legend told SunSport on behalf of William Hill when asked if Postecoglou can win the Carabao Cup: “Yes, I think it Is the first time. in many, many years that we’ve seen a coach saying, ‘I’m gonna win something’. Before that it was always qualifying for the Champions League. So why not?
“I mean, about the performances or about how the team plays, it’s difficult to make an opinion. You know, the coaches, we’re looking for a different thing but at the end of the day you have to win football games.
“Your identity is very important because that way you have consistency. But in Cup games, you need to win. I mean, I don’t remember anyone saying, ‘Yeah, we won the cup but we really played bad’.
“So nobody will remember how they played at Coventry if they win the Carabao Cup. So it’s a matter of getting through and winning the final. I don’t remember anyone complaining about winning in a final playing badly.”
Poyet, though, understands that it won’t be easy for Tottenham to best other cup favourites, such as Manchester City, Liverpool and rivals Arsenal.
The ex-Brighton boss believes Spurs could do with a bit of luck in the draw but also insists Postecoglou will have to find consistency to finally end those 16 years of hurt following a poor start in the Prem.
Poyet said: “There’s two different situations in here. One is the draw. You need to be lucky. The other situation, I think it’s always more or less the same.
“I don’t think there’s too much difference to Spurs from this year and last year, [Dominic] Solanke maybe, the striker [is the only difference]. You need to start scoring.
“I think the situation now with Spurs is more about consistency. Everybody wants consistency, one that will help win football games constantly, every weekend, big derbies, all those situations.”
Poyet maintains strong belief in Postecoglou and advised Tottenham chiefs to back him.
But the ex-Sunderland boss also urged the players to step up for the 59-year-old head coach.
Poyet added: “I’m always in the situation of, let’s wait, give the coach a chance and let’s wait. And then the players, they need to do their jobs.
“[Managers] Are part of the staff to try to help the players to go and win for them. But the ones that play are the players.
“I believed in this when I was a player. I needed to play. I needed to perform. I needed to read the game. I needed to take the decisions. I needed to do the right thing. If I got one chance I needed to score that one. Not next week. So I really believed that when I was a player and I didn’t change.
“Now I’m a coach. Now, the more we help them, the more we clarify things or convene things, the team plays better and wins football games. So I think now every single Spurs player knows clearly his role. So now they need to do it.”