Micky van de Ven’s Faith in Postecoglou’s Approach Remains Strong

Micky van de Ven continues to express his confidence in Ange Postecoglou’s philosophy, despite Tottenham’s challenging performance that saw them finish in 17th place in the Premier League last season.

Season Overview

Postecoglou’s tenure in north London was marked by a promising start that took a turn due to a series of injuries, including van de Ven’s hamstring issues. The team’s performance dipped, culminating in a fifth-place finish during Postecoglou’s inaugural season, falling just short of Champions League qualification.

Postecoglou made headlines with his bold claim about success in his second season, which felt particularly audacious given Tottenham’s historical struggle with winning trophies. Last season, the team faced an unusual predicament, finishing narrowly above the relegation zone, yet they claimed victory in the Europa League.

Ultimately, Postecoglou was dismissed shortly after that Europa League triumph and was succeeded by Thomas Frank, who has faced his own challenges regarding team consistency.

Positive Reflections

Despite the team’s lackluster league performance and van de Ven’s injury woes under Postecoglou—he suffered multiple hamstring injuries—van de Ven has spoken highly of his former coach. In a discussion with Gary Neville on Sky’s The Overlap, he remarked, “We were constantly pushing for 90 minutes, pressing hard. Playing every three days, especially with our European fixtures, put a strain on our bodies.”

He continued, “When results started to falter, Ange was deeply committed to his system, showing his belief in it. To this day, I have faith in his approach as we played some remarkable football. The system certainly worked, but at times, we needed to adapt more than we did.”

A Shift in Strategy

Postecoglou’s vibrant playing style gained attention, particularly his notable interviews expressing resilience when results didn’t align. However, as the season progressed, frustrations grew within the squad. Van de Ven and his defensive partner, Cristian Romero, approached Postecoglou to advocate for a shift to a more defensive strategy.

Van de Ven noted, “Both Guti [Romero] and I were featured primarily in Europa League matches since the coach rested us to prioritize that tournament. We approached him, saying it was crucial to adjust our tactics at times in order to secure victories.”

He elaborated on the need for a balance, stating, “During games, like our encounter in Frankfurt where we led 1-0, we couldn’t keep pushing forward. We needed to solidify our defense to guarantee a win and progress to the next round.”

Postecoglou acknowledged their insights and empowered them to influence the team’s approach on the pitch, recognizing their standing within the squad.

Performance Analysis

Tottenham suffered 22 losses in the Premier League last year and conceded 65 goals. However, their Europa League campaign saw them flourish, achieving knockout victories against AZ, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bodo/Glimt, leading them to the final against Manchester United, who also struggled domestically, finishing in 15th place.

In a match where triumph meant earning a Champions League spot, Spurs began with a 1-0 lead at halftime courtesy of a goal from Brennan Johnson. In a rare adjustment, Postecoglou focused on maintaining their advantage.

Van de Ven recalled, “Before the final, there was a collective understanding that winning the trophy was imperative, regardless of the method. Our objective was clear: we needed to end the day with that silverware.”

He shared how, despite Postecoglou’s usual philosophy of persistent play, he urged the team to prioritize defensive solidity after taking the lead, emphasizing the importance of security at the back to ensure victory.

Van de Ven’s reflections highlight the intricate balance between adherence to a style of play and the necessity for tactical flexibility, particularly in high-stakes situations.