Postecoglou wants Spurs to embrace Europa pressure

Ange Postecoglou urged Tottenham to embrace the pressure of their Europa League clash with AZ Alkmaar as the Australian refused to back down from his boast that he always wins a trophy in his second season.

To keep alive their hopes of ending a trophy drought that stretches back to 2008, Tottenham must overturn a 1-0 deficit when they host Dutch side AZ on Thursday.

Postecoglou boldly declared in September that he “always wins things” in his second year of a job, but that prediction has looked increasingly rash during a difficult campaign for Tottenham.

The north Londoners are languishing in 13th place in the Premier League and are out of both domestic cups.

Losing to unheralded AZ would be the final straw for many frustrated Tottenham fans, who have protested against chairman Daniel Levy throughout the season.

Asked if the stakes on Thursday might hinder his team, Postecoglou said on Wednesday: “No, no extra pressure.

“There’s always pressure there and yes, it’s a big game, but, if we’re successful tomorrow, it’ll be the same in the next round.

“When you’re in the later stages of European or any cup competition, you kind of know every game is meaningful because it either means the end of the road or you progress, so we understand that, we need to embrace that.”

Former Celtic boss Postecoglou has endured a troubled second season in charge at Tottenham.

Having squandered the chance to qualify for the Champions League despite holding a strong position late in his first season in charge, Postecoglou has been beset by injuries to key players and mounting criticism of his ultra-attacking tactics.

“My view has always been when you’re asked a question, you answer it. I wasn’t making anything up,” he said of his silverware boast.

“People have sort of used it for their own purposes in suggesting I was making a bold claim but I wasn’t. I was stating a fact. If that doesn’t happen this year, then I cannot say that any more if I’m asked next year can I?

“Maybe we will defy the odds and I do win something. You know what people will say? ‘Isn’t it great that he made such a bold claim.’ People just use it the way they want to depending on the circumstances.

“I will always answer things the way I feel comfortable answering them. I’m really comfortable and proud of the fact that everywhere I have been, I have won things. I think it’s something where I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t.

“Whether I win something in my second year here, time will tell.”