Ange Postecoglou says he would not want his Tottenham players to engage in the dark arts of play on set pieces, as Ben White did for Arsenal in Sunday’s north London derby. White was instructed to distract Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, by taking a starting position behind him at corner kicks and, just before the kick was taken, moving around, moving back and blocking him from hitting the ball reach.
The Arsenal defender performed the trick at both corners of his team in the first half – no Spurs player was close to him – and each resulted in a goal: the first an own goal from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg for 1-0, the second a Kai Havertz header for a 3-0 half-time lead. Before the first turn, White had grabbed the cuff of one of Vicario’s gloves. None of his actions resulted in a whistle from the referee, Michael Oliver.
Related: ‘More mature’: Spurs admit Arsenal’s mentality made the difference in the derby
Spurs’ problems in defending set pieces are becoming increasingly apparent. They have conceded 14 goals in the Premier League this season (excluding penalties) – the fifth-worst record in the division – and have conceded six goals from corners in their past nine games.
Notably, Postecoglou, who takes his team to Chelsea for another London derby on Thursday evening, gifted half-time substitute Pape Sarr with a goal against White in each of Arsenal’s four corners in the second half. Sarr followed White step by step, physically adjusting him and not allowing him to get to Vicario.
Arsenal did not capitalize further, although Postecoglou’s intervention seemed too little too late. Arsenal ran out 3-2 winners. The Spurs manager has his principles and he indicated there was no White-style blocking on set pieces.
Former Tottenham and Wales winger Terry Medwin has died aged 91. Medwin won 30 caps and was part of Spurs’ double-winning team of 1960-61 and the victorious FA Cup team of 1962.
“The club is deeply saddened by the death of our former player, Terry Medwin,” Tottenham said on thoughts are with Terry’s family and friends at this impossibly sad time.”
Swansea-born Medwin started his career with his hometown club and made his Wales debut in 1953. He scored 57 goals in 147 league appearances for Swansea before joining Spurs for £25,000 in May 1956.
He played at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, when Wales reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual winners Brazil. Medwin’s winner in the 2-1 victory over Hungary was Wales’ last goal at a World Cup until 2022.
He managed Cheshunt and coached at Cardiff, Fulham and Norwich before returning to Swansea as assistant to John Toshack, helping them through the leagues in the late 1970s and 1980s. PA media
“It’s a strategy,” Postecoglou said, when asked whether the moves were a hoax or dark art. “You can give it a name, but it is a strategy. I don’t judge. If people think this gives them an advantage or whatever… I don’t worry about that. I just try to focus on building teams that win things.
“If not, it will be something else. I know it’s great theater. Or he [White] tries to loosen his glove, tickle his armpit or whatever… I don’t care. I try to make sure my players don’t focus on that.
“If you want to go down that road… what is it? [Vicario] should do? Throw a punch and knock him out? Or say, “Please don’t touch me?” What does that do? Seriously, we’re not in the schoolyard. To be honest, if I saw one of my players do it I’d be like, ‘Mate, seriously? Grab the ball and play some football. ”
There was an irony in Vicario’s actions in the final minute of stoppage time as Spurs won a corner. He moved forward and stood next to Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, jostling with him. Pedro Porro’s delivery was poor and Arsenal were cleared.
Postecoglou admitted he was baffled by what constitutes a foul on the goalkeeper and revealed that Spurs had contacted the refereeing body in England to seek clarity.
“I saw the Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid [on Tuesday] And a few times they went at the goalkeeper and it was immediately a foul,” Postecoglou said. “For me it is a strange situation.
‘You can contact us [to the referees’ body]. We just wanted some clarity on what the actual position is when interference on the goalkeeper. I’m old and always thought the keeper was somewhat of a protected species. Maybe that has now shifted and I missed the memo. Have I gotten clarity? No not really.”
Postecoglou, who reported that Ben Davies and Timo Werner suffered muscle injuries against Arsenal to end their season, is confident his team are on the right track. They have 60 points and a tough run-up of five games ahead. After Chelsea, they go to Liverpool on Sunday and they also have to play against Manchester City at home. The club finished last season with 60 points.
“Absolutely yes, absolutely,” Postecoglou said. “Clear, clear. As clear as you want: 20-20. Certainly; 100%. What gives me my optimism? What I see. Playing our football, measuring ourselves against the best. The players really believe in what we do. That’s all I need to see.’
Postecoglou has solved the defensive problems at his previous clubs, especially Celtic, and he is in no way concerned about Spurs in this area. He turned to a famous song lyric to make his point.
“To quote Billy Joel, ‘Maybe you’re right, I may be crazy, but maybe you’re looking for a crazy person,’” Postecoglou said. “Enough of you have done enough research on me to know that this isn’t the first time I’ve been questioned about spelling mistakes in my coaching career. Ultimately, I will create a team that succeeds, and that won’t come from working on set pieces.”