Ange Postecoglou had a typically unique response when asked if Manchester United can catch his Tottenham side before the end of the season.
Spurs are currently fifth in the Premier League table, just three points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and with a game in hand on Unai Emery’s team.
The Red Devils are only one place behind Tottenham but there is an eight point gap between the sides after the weekend which saw Spurs beat Luton and Manchester United draw with Brentford.
There is also a substantial difference in goal difference between the two teams, with Spurs 18 goals better off than the Old Trafford giants.
Both sides have just nine games to play and Postecoglou was asked whether United could catch Spurs ahead of Tottenham’s visit to West Ham on Tuesday night.
The Australian reminded the reporter that Tottenham are as far behind third-placed Manchester City as United are behind them, and not one is tipping Spurs to haul in Pep Guardiola’s side.
‘Can you see us challenging Manchester City? No? Well they’re only eight points ahead of us,’ said Postecoglou. ‘If there’s eight points, you either think we can catch Man City who are eight points ahead of us or you think Man United can catch us.
‘What’s important for me is that we want to finish the season strong and keep building on the foundation of being a team that hopefully in 12 months’ time people are looking at us differently and talking about us differently.’
Tottenham were behind to Luton on Saturday but came back to win 21 and have now won 22 points from losing positions this season, second only to Liverpool who have managed 23.
Postecoglou says that ability is down to the simplicity of their gameplan, which does not change whether they are ahead, level of behind.
‘That has been consistent throughout my coaching career. If you go back right to the very start, all of my teams had that trademark,’ he said.
‘Part of that is the actual game model itself. As simple as it sounds, when you’re so commuted to playing a certain way, the score almost becomes irrelevant. A lot of teams, when they fall behind they have to change their approach. With us, whether we’re winning or losing, we won’t change.
‘Like at the weekend, when we concede, it’s not like the team are going, “What do we do now?” When we conceded, we just kept going. There isn’t that desperation when we’re chasing a result. It’s about just keep doing what we’ve been doing.’
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