Pep Guardiola identifies Ange Postecoglou tactic which proves Tottenham boss is no copycat

Pep Guardiola has identified a tactic used by Tottenham which proves Ange Postecoglou is no copycat.

Fifth-placed Tottenham travel to Manchester City this weekend having lost their last three league fixtures.

Recent results have been in stark contrast to Spurs’ previous ten outings which saw them register eight wins and two draws to take a firm grip on top spot.

Postecoglou had previously joked that his side’s impressive start to the season was down to copying Guardiola’s methods and ahead of Sunday’s clash, the Spaniard identified how the pair use very differing tactics.

“It was a joke,” Guardiola said of Postecoglou’s comments after Tottenham’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in October.

“I'm not the only manager to play a high line. Sometimes my fullbacks go inside, but they [Spurs] go to the pockets as attacking midfielders, I never used that.

Tottenham have won all of their last five home league games against Manchester City in all competitions but were beaten 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium last time out, despite having taken a two-goal lead.

Spurs have since drafted in Postecoglou but the Manchester City boss is not expecting a change of approach from the visitors and urged fans to buy a ticket for a game that he predicts to be ‘a lot of fun’.

“Absolutely not, that will not happen,” Guardiola replied when asked if he expects Spurs to change their attack-minded approach at the Etihad.

“I met him [Postecoglou] once in pre-season when we played Yokohama. I saw some clips and I said 'wow'. There are things I like. I told the players, we are not ready because it's pre-season, but we will face a good team, the build-up, high pressing.

“We won, all respect to Yokohama but we had better players. Since then I have followed him, how good he did