London, England – Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou don talk say winning the Europa League go fit change how di club dey see itself as dem prepare for final against Manchester United for Bilbao on May 21.
Di north London team never win trophy since dem collect di 2008 League Cup, and Postecoglou believe say dis final fit change not just how dem dey see dem themselves, but also how di whole world dey view dem.
Speaking to media after dem lose 2-0 to Crystal Palace and currently dey sit for 17th position for di Premier League table, Postecoglou wey don win plenty trophies for him previous clubs, share wetin victory go mean.
“You know wetin e go do for di club and for di people,” he talk. “When you look di historical backdrop of dis club and wetin e don face for di last 20 years, I feel say this fit be turning point for how di club dey perceived, but also how e dey perceive itself, which I think na di biggest thing.”
Postecoglou don talk plenty about di history of di club since him arrive and di challenge wey dis group of players dey face. “You need to understand di history and di magnitude of di task to show how e go hard, but also how e fit significant,” he continue. “You gats try break that cycle. But e no suppose just be about shutting people mouth.”
For di 1984 UEFA Cup, wey be di last European trophy wey Tottenham win, dem beat Anderlecht for penalty shootout. Di current drought dey weigh heavy for di previous Tottenham sides, and Postecoglou don emphasize di importance of seizing dis chance to break di dry spell.
“When I come here, I don talk a lot about di weight of dis history,” he say. “People go always talk say you never win anything until you do am.” Postecoglou don add say di photos wey dey for di stadium na all black and white, as e wonder if dis current group fit join dem for di wall.
Tottenham go play Aston Villa on Friday before dem face United for di final next Wednesday. Di team still dey assess di fitness of key players wey don suffer injuries, including captain Son Heung-min wey don return from injury.
Postecoglou don confirm say he go take decision of whether to start Son based on if e dey fit to play. “Sentiment no go join for dis decision. Na only wetin e fit do we go consider,” he say. “E no get anything more than dat.”
If Tottenham manage win di Europa League, e go be di first trophy since 2008 and go change di perception as dem dey often seen as team wey dey ‘fluff opportunities’ on di big stage. Di coach dey optimistic dat winning dis trophy go give dem di needed confidence as dem dey push for success going forward.
“It feels like a big thing wey dey happen for di club and I dey encourage di players to be ready to take di opportunity,” he talk. “We don give ourselves di chance, now na to take am.”
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
