Rivals show why there's no need for glum faces at Spurs

ANGE POSTECOGLOU has had a fortnight to stew on Tottenham’s worst result and performance of the season, but the 3-0 defeat at Fulham will not have spooked the Australian.

- Dan Kilpatrick

A grim afternoon for Spurs felt like a backward step, particularly after their 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa the previous weekend, but Postecoglou remains firmly focused on the bigger picture — reflected when he reiterated at Craven Cottage that finishing in the top four will never be the aim.

Postecoglou knows Spurs, who return to action with a visit from Luton on Saturday, remain a work in progress, and bumps in the road are to be expected.

A comparative look at the managers he is aiming to emulate — and ultimately outdo — should ease any lingering concerns among Spurs fans and demonstrates that Postecoglou’s project remains on the right track.

After 28 league fixtures under the head coach, Spurs have 53 points or 1.89 per game, leaving them on track to finish the campaign a fraction shy of 72 points.

By comparison, Jurgen Klopp had 46 points after the same number of games with Liverpool, and Mikel Arteta was on 43 after 28 league matches in charge of Arsenal.