The Tottenham manager is under scrutiny for his nine-man strategy against Chelsea.
Another snide commentator has criticized Ange Postecoglou for the high line he used against Chelsea when Tottenham was reduced to nine men.
In the Monday night English Premier League match, Spurs had the upper hand over their London rivals, but Cristian Romero was sent off before Spurs gave up an equalizer. Furthermore, in the last fifteen minutes, the visitors added three more goals, two of which came in stoppage time, as Destiny Udogie trailed his teammate down the tunnel.
Even though his team was short on players, Ange, who we know from his time up here with Celtic, is all about playing attacking football. His team maintained a very high line in defense. He has been mocked for that strategy even though they essentially played the entire match with just the 11 men in blue until they ran up the score at the end.
Andy Gray added his voice and made the now-famous “It might have worked in Scotland” comment.
They were behind 2-1, he said to beIN Sports. They were as much in the game as you could be with nine men, but still, I was going to say. Even in stoppage time, you would still be looking for a goal, so I get both of them.
“However, I fail to see why a manager with his background would have worked in the J League or the A League, where he has held previous positions. The Premier League will not be able to use it.”
“Scotland, that’s Celtic or Rangers, you know that,” Gray said in response to Richard Keys pointing out that it was effective there. In the Premier League, he won’t get away with doing that, even though he might have gotten away with it against Kilmarnock or someone similar.
“I am pleased with his work at Tottenham. He can’t afford to defend that high, that slackly, against 11 against 11, let alone 11 against 9. They’ll rob them of their money.”
