- Ange Postecoglou has continually refused to change his attacking style of play
- Tottenham were beaten by Liverpool in a nine-goal thriller on Sunday night.
- LISTEN NOW: It's all starting! Are Tottenham managers treated differently to other managers?
Ange Postecoglou says he is sure Tottenham's players still have faith in their flamboyant attacking philosophy despite a six-goal thrashing that leaves them wallowing in mid-table.
Spurs were beaten 6-3 at home by Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday, a demoralizing result that leaves them 16 points off the top and eight points off the top four.
“I still feel like the players and I see that they still really believe in what we are doing,” Postecoglou said. “It's difficult because it's a tough day for the fans, the players and all the people who work so hard at the club.
'From my perspective, I take responsibility for that because I am the one who is charting this course for us. Hopefully it's all for a greater purpose.
“My maximum responsibility is to try to bring success to the club. But, in the meantime, you understand that it is not pleasant to see players doing everything in their power to try to achieve a result.
'But given the situation we find ourselves in, there are limits to what they can do. So you feel, I certainly feel that responsibility. But as disappointed as they are, they are still very, very determined to continue.”
Ange Postecoglou has claimed his players still have a “real belief” in his attacking philosophy
Tottenham suffered a 6-3 rout at home to Liverpool on Sunday night.
Potsecoglou has relentlessly defended his tactics despite Spurs' defensive woes recently.
Postecoglou has criticized critics who claim his style is too open and responded sharply in interviews after Liverpool's defeat, stating that he was tired of answering the same questions about whether it would be better to change his style.
“I wasn't angry,” Postecoglou said Tuesday. “You've just suffered a tough defeat and I take responsibility for that because I see the effect that has on everyone involved at the football club, so that weighs heavily on you.” But I don't think many managers go into interviews after being defeated and feel happy about it.
'Yes, I mean, it's fair to say that I'm getting tired of the same questions and answering the same way. I just think it's almost like people want to touch the bear to see if it will react. And obviously after a loss, it's a lot easier for people to get a reaction out of me.”
Tottenham have lost five of their last 11 games in all competitions and have won only three, but those victories have been high-scoring: 4-0 against Manchester City, 5-0 at Southampton and 4-3 in the quarterfinals. Carabao Cup final against Manchester. United.
“I don't think there's any doubt that we can challenge most teams in the league,” Postecoglou said. “Liverpool were too good for us. They are a very good team. They are in a kind of sweet spot of great form, very settled, all their players healthy.
“So they're probably in the best position they've ever been in and it's fair to say we're not.” And a combination of that and we just weren't anywhere near the level we needed to be to try to compete with the best team in the league. So you accept that. It doesn't feel good, but you accept where you are. And the goal is to close that gap.”
Tottenham's next game will be at Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day. Rodrigo Bentancur is available after serving a seven-match ban.