Every word Ange Postecoglou said on Kulusevski, his message to the players and Australia trip
Here is every word Ange Postecoglou had to say in his post-match press conference following Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane
What did you make of today’s win and performance?
I thought it was pretty good. I thought it was important we put in a decent performance today and won the game for a number of reasons. I thought the lads handled it pretty well.
It’s always a bit difficult last game of the year, Sheffield United don’t have anything to play for, so it can be easy to kind of not have to right mentality but I thought for the most part we had that tonight.
Three goals… I thought Wes Foderingham was outstanding. Overall I think it was an important win and a good performance.
What did you make of Dejan Kulusevski’s performance today?
I thought Deki was good. He’s worked awfully hard this year without a lot of reward in the front third. We thought playing him through middle today would help us with his mobility and ability to run in behind. He did well.
He always works hard but it’s that sort of final third where we need him to get rewards and he got them today so he did well.
How would you sum up your first year at the club?
It’s been good, it’s been eventful, it’s had a bit of everything. I am obviously not delighted with the way we finished the season but in fairness to the players and staff we have been in the top five all season, in a year where there was a fair bit of upheaval, we finished eighth last year, player turnover, different football, different way of training, it is not easy to maintain a level when you are trying to do that.
Even in our tough periods this year we have still been competitive for the most part. I think I have got maximum effort, which is all a manager can ask for.
You’re now flying to Melbourne for the Newcastle game, is everyone in the squad today travelling?
Yeah that’s the plan unless anyone has got any issues. That’s the plan.
Giovani Lo Celso wasn’t in the squad, will he be travelling?
He’s been training so we’ll just wait and see how he pulls up and he’ll meet us at the airport.
How much have you enjoyed this season?
Contrary to my general demeanour, I have loved every minute of it. It is a great challenge in the Premier League and taking over a big club that didn’t have a great year last year. You understand it is not going to run smoothly. I have enjoyed the whole season.
I have got some lofty ambitions for the football club and until we reach that point I am not going to be smiling too much. As I said, any manager what he wants is maximum effort and I have got that from everyone involved. I have enjoyed it and looking forward to pushing on from here.
What will you do on the flight?
I will read a bit and watch a couple of series Iโve downloaded. I’m not going to tell you what they are, mate, so don’t ask. That’s about it. Itโs a long flight. I don’t know if you’ve been to Oz but it’s brutal so you’ve got to fill the time in.
Will you toast the season with the players?
There’s still a game to go and I’m not the toasting type but I’ve said to them what I’ve said to you. I’ve said to them in the dressing room as a manager I couldnโt ask for more from the players.
They gave their absolute maximum and yeah we’ve fallen short in certain areas but, like I said, we finished eighth last year and we’ve been top five all year and through ups and downs.
I do have to acknowledge, not just the players but the staff, the effort they’ve put in to that and there will certainly come a time for reflection when we’re down in Australia just to sign off the year in the proper way.
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