Ange feeling Madd about trophy woes

ANGE POSTECOGLOU admits he feels Tottenham’s pain of 16 years without a trophy while watching other clubs lift silverware.

But the Aussie insists winning the FA Cup this season is not his main objective, because he wants to build foundations for long-term success.

Fit-again James Maddison (above) is ready to give Spurs a major boost as they face holders Manchester City tonight, with Pep Guardiola’s men yet to even score at Tottenham’s new stadium in five visits.

Tottenham know the FA Cup is their last realistic hope of a trophy this season, which would be their first since the League Cup in 2008.

But Postecoglou said: “It’s very important, not because of any other reason but what it would mean to our supporters.

“We, as in managers and players, come and go. But the supporters are always there. They’ve had to sit through year after year of not winning a trophy, watching other clubs win trophies, so you know what it means.

“But I’ve said before that I can’t chart my course of what I want to build here. I want to build a team that brings success and challenges for trophies every year.

“Because while one trophy will satisfy that thirst, which I understand, if the following year we struggle and fall back to mediocrity then it will quickly get forgotten. And that’s not what this club is about.”

England midfielder Maddison has returned to training this week after three months out with an ankle injury. He has also benefitted from a break in Dubai during that time.

Postecoglou admitted part of the reason they sent him away was because Maddison found it so difficult to be around his team-mates but not being able to play.

“It’s been tough for him,” said the Spurs boss. “Because he does love his football, he loves the environment of football clubs, he loves the dressing-room. He’s kind of a force within that.

“It’s hard for all players when they’ve got to go through rehab, especially a character like him.

“We did send him away in the middle of it. We felt it was good for him to get away with his family, so we sent a physio with him.

“That helped bridge that time. He was refreshed when he got back.”