EVERTON v TOTTENHAM
Goodison Park: KO 12.30pm
BY JON WEST
ANGE POSTECOGLOU has told his Tottenham players he exists to make their dreams come true.
And if that means occasionally making their lives a nightmare, then so be it.
Spurs head to Everton this lunchtime having pushed Aston Villa out of the top four thanks to Wednesday’s comeback win against Brentford (Micky van de Ven celebrates, above right).
Boss Postecoglou saw his stars angered by Bees striker Neal Maupay stealing James Maddison’s goal celebration and replying with three goals in eight second-half minutes.
That was a sure sign of a united dressing room at a club desperate to get back into the Champions League.
But Postecoglou also made it clear anyone caught slacking would get a hefty Aussie shove.
He said: “It’s how you define happiness. We’re not going in there holding hands and singing songs.
“My responsibility is to provide an environment for them to fulfil their dreams.
“That doesn’t mean I’m always going to be cheery around the place. Sometimes that requires me to show them the way forward and that sometimes is tough.
“But hopefully they get enjoyment from seeing themselves improve, achieving things and being part of something special. That’s the kind of happiness
I want.
“I’m really wary if anyone is getting too comfortable – that disturbs me more than anything else – and I feel like I need to give them a push along.”
One man whose mood has improved dramatically since the start of the season is Richarlison. The striker (with keeper Guglielmo Vicario, below) revealed he needed “psychological help” after breaking down in tears during a Brazil game in September.
Now he returns to former club Everton having scored seven goals in his last seven Premier League outings.
Postecoglou said: “It has helped that Richy has had a consistent run in the team.
“The goals are important because that’s everyone’s measure, but his general game is improving and that’s the main thing for me. His link-up and hold-up play is improving all the time – I love when players still want to improve.”
The Brentford win marked Maddison’s first start following almost three months out with an ankle injury. The former Leicester man has established himself as Spurs’ main creative outlet as part of a midfield three.
Postecoglou also knows Maddison (receiving treatment from Timo Werner, below) has still to convince England manager Gareth Southgate he should be a regular pick for his country.
The Spurs boss added: “There’s no reason why what he does at club level is not transferable to international level. But that depends on team structure and the other players in the team.
“That’s the challenge for every manager – how to fit all these pieces into a beautiful puzzle. Sometimes we try and jam them into spaces where they don’t fit.”