‘You need to win matches’ - Former Tottenham player makes firm Ange Postecoglou claim

Former Tottenham Hotspur winger David Bentley has weighed in on the growing pressure facing Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou. After a positive start to his tenure at Tottenham, Bentley believes the "honeymoon period" for Postecoglou is over and that the Australian manager is now under significant scrutiny.

Bentley notes that while Postecoglou initially won over fans with his engaging style of football and improved atmosphere at the club, results are starting to weigh heavily on him. Despite the early enthusiasm, pundits are increasingly questioning Postecoglou’s methods, as the reality of competitive football sets in. The criticism is particularly intense given that Postecoglou has yet to deliver consistent results, which are crucial in maintaining fan and club support.

The former Spurs player highlights that Postecoglou inherited a challenging situation from previous managers Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, both of whom struggled to deliver the style of play and results desired by the Tottenham faithful. Bentley told Football365:

"I like Ange and what he has done at the club. He has changed the energy among the fans for the better, but that only goes so far. You need to win matches or the pressure builds. That’s football."

"The honeymoon period of last season is over now so they have to try and get to the next level. That means finishing in the top four and trying to win a trophy because as we know, Tottenham haven’t won anything for a long time and their fans are fed up hearing about it."

Former Tottenham player makes firm Ange Postecoglou claim

Postecoglou has certainly made strides in improving the club's overall energy and approach, but Bentley stresses that football is ultimately judged on results. If Tottenham’s form does not improve, the pressure on Postecoglou will only intensify.

Bentley predicts that Tottenham’s realistic goal for this season should be to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, as competing for trophies remains a distant aim. The competition is fierce, with Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool leading the pack, while Chelsea and Manchester United also present hard challenges.

He also points out that the current scrutiny on Postecoglou’s defensive tactics is warranted, suggesting that while there have been positive signs, it is too early to fully assess the effectiveness of his system. Bentley recommends evaluating the team's performance after eight to ten games before making definitive judgments about Postecoglou’s approach.