Full-throttle football: exhilarating, rewarding, infuriating, and exhausting

There are notable similarities between Ange Postecoglou and Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa – widely considered the most influential manager of modern times, is famed for doubling down on his attacking philosophy during times of poor form, and right now at Spurs, we’re seeing Postecoglou do the same.

It is, in fact, something that the 58-year-old Australian has done throughout his whole career given that like Bielsa, Postecoglou’s system is also built around core values that he won’t compromise on under any circumstances. 

The new messiahs 

This unwavering commitment to entertaining the fans and playing on the front foot has earned these men a cult following wherever they go. Indeed, they are revered for having an unshakable belief in what they are doing which almost always results in fans of the clubs they are managing going all in on what they are preaching. 

At first, it is an intoxicating experience for these new converts to the gospel of “playing football the right way” as waves of relentless attack result in blowing a shell-shocked opposition away. 

Ask any Leeds fan where they were on the afternoon Bielsa’s football was first introduced to the Championship against Stoke City on a sunny afternoon at Elland Road in August 2018 and they will be able to tell you. 

You don’t forget the first time you witnessed football played in such a full-throttle way and the same can be said for Spurs’ supporters and how they recall the 19th of August 2023 when they blew Manchester United away with a 2-0 win at home. 

In many ways, there is life before Bielsa and Postecoglou, and life after them such is the lasting impression their wonderfully chaotic football leaves on you. 

It is an enthralling journey until it isn’t.

The definition of insanity 

At least, that indescribable feeling of joy felt in August 2018 was all but gone after Leeds conceded 20 goals in five games in February 2022 which led to Bielsa’s sacking. The once-admired organised madness had descended into an uncontrollable farce and Leeds were in big trouble with relegation creeping up on them. 

Now, these parallels to Bielsa haven’t been drawn as a way of saying that Postecoglou’s honeymoon at Spurs is over and that Daniel Levy should replace him after taking one point from a possible 15 since a freakish loss against Chelsea at home on November 6th.

There are many mitigating factors around this lean points return that has seen Spurs go from top of the table to fifth such as injuries, woeful finishing, and downright bad luck. What this run of form has done however, is torpedo Spurs’ chance of winning the Premier League with the best online bookmakers in the UK, including bet365, Betfair, and LeoVegas, now pricing Postecoglou’s men at 50/1. 

Realistically speaking, no one at the club held any genuine ideas about winning the league when Postecoglou was appointed in the summer. To that end, there is no frustration being aimed at the Australian and rightly so. Unquestionably, the overriding feeling toward Postecoglou remains one of gratitude and respect. 

The wider point is that this type of principled-based football is going to deliver a few bruises along the way and Spurs are getting a healthy dose of that punishment now. This is the price a club will pay for not entertaining the idea of a plan B when they are not at full strength. 

“What do YOU reckon? Take a punt!”

Ange Postecoglou isn’t planning on going more defensive against @ManCity despite the number of injuries in his @SpursOfficial squad 🤣

🔗 https://t.co/TGdOkqNhk2 pic.twitter.com/Aqh3Q0W92R

— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) December 1, 2023

Everything in moderation, including moderation

While Postecoglou’s time at Spurs might not implode as Bielsa’s did at Leeds, there will be moments when you question whether it is all worth it as the same seemingly avoidable mistakes repeat themselves. Indeed, you will ask yourself what the definition of insanity is as you watch games but equally, you will also experience a feeling of euphoria that football has yet to give you courtesy of the Australian’s unyielding commitment to attacking.

In the end, so long as the highs outweigh the lows, then Postecoglou will enjoy a long reign at Spurs. The moment those scales tip will be the time when the novelty has worn off.