Ange Postecoglou says he has no plans to change his Tottenham’s side gung-ho approach after the 2-2 draw with Roma in the Europa League.
Mats Hummels scored a 90th-minute equaliser to leave Postecoglou’s side on 10 points from their first five games and ninth in the Europa League table — just outside the automatic qualification places.
Asked if his side would be less entertaining and more businesslike in their remaining three games to ensure they avoid the play-offs, Postecoglou said: “No.
“Why can’t it just be entertaining? Isn’t it why we all come? Would you really prefer us to sketch out a couple of 0-0 draws and a 1-0 win and we get through. I don’t know.
“I would much rather we’re exciting to watch and maybe it is edge of the seat stuff and sometimes we don’t get the reward, like we could have tonight, but no, if you want those kind of games, there are plenty in world football you can watch every weekend.
“I’d like to think when you tune into us you’ll be entertained.”
Heung-min Son opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Hummels caught Pape Matar Sarr inside three minutes.
Roma levelled through Evan N’Dicka’s leader but Brennan Johnson’s first time finish restored Spurs’ lead before the break.
Roma had three goals disallowed for offside and hit the crossbar, while Dejan Kulusevski, Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke all struck the woodwork for the hosts.
“Frustration with the way the game ended,” Postecoglou said.
“Yeah we should have killed it off a lot earlier. We should have killed it off in the first half with the chances we had. At 2-1 you're always keeping the opposition in the game and they're throwing men forward, so disappointing we weren't able to see the game out. Ultimately we're still in a decent position.”
Moments before Hummels scored, Spurs’ stand-in goalkeeper Fraser Forster made a brilliant save to deny Gianluca Mancini, while he also twice saved from Paulo Dybala in the first half.
“I don’t think he’s lacking in confidence,” Postecoglou said, when asked if Forster would be boosted by his display.
“He is an experienced guy and has probably thought to himself that, that is why he is there, if needed to come in and be that reliable goalkeeper for us. It’s helped he’s already played this year, it wasn’t his first game.
“He’s played his part tonight and it’s just disappointing we weren’t able to capitalise on the football we played to get the three points. I don’t think he’s lacking in confidence, but always good for him to at least pull off a couple of big saves for us tonight and get him back into the group.”
