ANGE’S GOT TO GET TIME

IF what I’ve read is correct, Spurs have had their best start to a season since 1963.

I’m not entirely sure it’s time to get carried away just yet though. But Ange Postecoglou is a breath of fresh air from the cautious approach they’ve suffered at that club from recent managers.

He believes in possessionbased football, as I do, after being brought up on that philosophy at Liverpool, where it was bred into you from such a young age.

And he believes in giving his players the freedom to make mistakes without criticising them and making them feel small, as other managers have definitely done there recently.

Are they any closer to winning a trophy, though? It’s hard to say at this stage. But I will say, to me Arsenal look to have the edge in the north London derby still, especially because they’re at home.

I look at the two squads, and they’re in different stages of evolution, with Arsenal looking further along in adopting the philosophy of Mikel Arteta, and more comfortable in carrying it out.

Arsenal spent well in the summer. They added some big players who can influence the mentality at the club, while no matter what people say, the loss of Harry Kane will have a big effect in the long run.

He set standards, he was a big personality with a passion for winning, and the desire that goes with it. In the end, he gave so much to that club, but he wants to win, and you can only agree it was the right decision to leave for Bayern.

It leaves Spurs with a rebuilding that will take longer than one summer.

Give Postecoglou time if there is a slump after losing one of the best strikers of his generation. Managers with a longer-term philosophy must be given time to develop it… but football isn’t good at that.