Ange Postecoglou: Tottenham were uncharacteristically defensive in win at Brentford so has manager changed his style?

What happened to Angeball?

The question was about the heads of many observers in Brentford on Sunday when Tottenham fell deeper and deeper, clung to their narrow lead before he finally grabbed a second goal during the break to seal a much -needed, moral reinforcement.

It was the most defensive representation of the reign of Ange Postecoglou, in which Spurs 49 made approvals, 15 more than in any other Premier League match under him. The average position of cards of that match, unlike the rest of the season, illustrate how forced back tracks were.

It was an achievement that was incomparable with the early, bombastic days of the time of Postecoglou, where Spurs fans enjoy the forefoot, exciting approach on their part.

Last season, Angeball briefly conquered the Premier League Stormender, before injuries for important players and inconsistent form rinsed their lead. The notorious defeat at home against Chelsea underlined their dedication to the demands of the Australians, even when they are up to nine players.

Despite all the challenges of this second campaign, Postecoglou and his players have largely held on to the general idea. Spurs is in second place in the top flight for high turnover, fifth for how high the field wins on the field, the ball recovers and first for the amount of passes they allow the opposition to make the property back.

They usually take the game to their opponents and don't let them settle.

See you Sunday.

The victory on the side of Thomas Frank put an end to a four-game losing series in the Premier League and a seven-game Winless Run in the competition. There was a clear caution in the first half of Spurs with the ball, on their care in order not to give the possession too easy or to be caught too high on the field. They then became even more pragmatic after Vitaly Janelt's own goal.

Adjustment has paid off. But it also reminded me of an early interview that Postcoglou gave Sky Sports before his first Spurs campaign in the preseason.

“No, not a measure,” he said, laughing loud about the suggestion that he could instruct his team to defend a 1-0.

“I can't coach that way. I wouldn't know what to do to tell my players in the last five minutes to hold a lead of one goal. It is just not part of who I am and The way I coach.

“If I chop and change, depending on the circumstances, they go outside without real clarity about where we are and what kind of team we want to be.”

Has Postecoglou changed? Not entirely. He refers to “circumstances” in that quote, but the injury crisis he and his team have confronted this season – and the subsequent need for players (including teenagers) to play twice a week without rotation – is not something he would have provided.

Because she defeated Manchester City 4-0 on Etihad on November 23, the 18-year-old Archie Gray is their second most used player in the Premier League. First-choice defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have long been sidelined with injury, together with no. 1 goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

It is that context that Postecoglou -Bristle made when the obvious question was asked after the game on Sunday. What happened to Angeball?

“It is very difficult for a group of players to play on Thursday-Sunday and to maintain the energy level,” he said. “They make maximum effort. That means you can't be sharp with and without the ball. They are not robots. I know reality.

“It was not a game that we could go out and dominate. Brentford had a week to prepare for this, we had 50 hours. In that context, the performance was excellent.”

Postecoglou also pointed to the second goal of Spurs, a brilliant, slick movement converted by Pape Sarr, as an example that his side was still looking for opportunities to attack. “We were always a threat when we had it,” he said.

But which traces will we see in Anfield for the most important Carabao Cup semi-final second stage with Liverpool? Again, they have a 1-0 lead to defend.

They were reported 6-3 by Liverpool in the Premier League in North London just before Christmas, but were involved in a stricter meeting with the side of Arne Slot in the first stage of this semi-final.

Liverpool had more possession, shots and shots on goal and Radu Dragusin was needed to erase Trent Alexander-Arnold's Schot van de Lijn before the controversial late winner of Lucas Bergvall.

Van de Ven – equipped during the weekend when he returns to fitness – is probably back in the XI and Spurs will certainly defend enough against the top scorers of the Premier League.

How they deal with it will be intriguing to see …