'Are you not entertained?' - Ange Postecoglou predicts pundit meltdown over his 'lack of tactics' as Tottenham coach defends player mistakes in wild win vs Man Utd

The Australian tactician has channelled his inner Russell Crowe and gone full Gladiator mode after seeing Spurs grind out a thrilling 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals – a contest that they led 3-0 at one stage before individual errors gifted the Red Devils a lifeline.

Postecoglou has faced questions throughout his reign in north London over a supposed lack of tactical nous, with it not in his nature to dig in and defend a lead. He appreciates that approach may not be to everyone’s liking, telling Sky Sports after booking a last-four spot in League Cup competition: "We made it harder than it should have been, we were well in control, played really well, we looked like we were going to manage the game and then two unfortunate moments, the first one affected Fraser [Forster] and then the second one came as a result of that. But we showed character and scored a fourth.

"I like the whole game. Are you not entertained? I know the studio is probably having a meltdown over my lack of tactics. We’ve got so many absences at the moment, centre halves, kids on the bench. If we get through the period we’re going to get enormous growth out of it."

He went on to say: "I really liked how we played, obviously those moments tainted it a bit and that has happened this season before and it doesn't help our consistency, but the mentality of the boys... I love it. I love football and love watching teams that go out there to entertain.

"Obviously we want to be successful and we won’t be if we make things difficult like we did. We’re not going out there to try and grind out 1-0 victories, we’re trying to keep folks entertained. I can’t see how that’s a bad thing. It’s part of football, mistakes will happen. From the context of how we play as a team, there’s nothing we need to change. It doesn't get me any credit in the bank as an astute tactician, but so be it."

Consistency has been an issue again for Spurs in 2024-25, leaving them 10th in the Premier League table, but they are only five points adrift of the top four and through to the semi-finals of a major cup competition as they attempt to land a first trophy since 2008.