Wild stat behind Ange’s drastic rebuild as big rule change could decide Spurs’ fate

When Ange Postecoglou took over at Tottenham before the Premier League season kicked off, the appointment was met with surprise and even dismay in some quarters – from those who have not followed his career, at least.

The big question was simple: How far could he – and his bold tactical approach – take the team in his maiden campaign in the world’s top league?

Postecoglou exceeded all expectations with a 10-match unbeaten run to send them top of the table early in the campaign, playing a blinding brand of attacking football.

The Australian won Premier League manager of the month in each of August, September and October. Then injuries and suspension decimated Spurs, who lost four of their next five matches.

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Postecoglou steadied the ship and has lost just once in their seven matches – even with a couple of key players at the Africa Cup of Nations or, like South Korea’s Son Heung-Min, at the Asian Cup for a month.

Tottenham currently sit fifth on 44 points, with 13 wins, five draws and five defeats.

To put that into perspective, that tally through 23 rounds would be good enough to comfortably sit in the top four in every season going back to 2018/19 (when, coincidentally, they finished fourth in the last full season under Mauricio Pochettino).

It’s fair to say that they’ve confounded the critics so far. That’s especially true considering the club’s talismanic captain Harry Kane, who had scored at least 20 goals in each of his last nine seasons, was sold before the season kicked off.

But Kane’s departure may have proved a blessing in disguise for Postecoglou. Firstly, it provided him with funds to splash in the transfer market.