Spurs’ Ange not anxious about Top 4
TOTTENHAM Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said he is more interested in building a competitive team than in finishing in the Top 4 of the Premier League, after his side were beaten 3-0 by Fulham on Saturday.
Tottenham would have moved above Aston Villa into fourth place in the standings with a win, but the defeat ensured Postecoglou's side remained in fifth with 53 points from 28 games.
Asked if Tottenham could still finish fourth and secure the final Champions League qualifying spot, the Australian said: "I don't see fourth as the prize.
“I don't want to finish fourth if we haven't grown and developed as a team. Part of the narrative is to push you in these kinds of positions where you think that fourth is some kind of achievement that gives you something for next year.
"Fourth would be great if I feel like we're growing as a team, and we're creating something that is going to bring us success next year. But fourth is not our goal... If we finish fifth, and if I think we've got a team to challenge next year, then I won't be disappointed."
Tottenham next host 18th-placed Luton Town in a league game on Saturday.
Newcastle United's 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, meanwhile, has left them without a shot at silverware, but manager Eddie Howe said his side still have plenty to play for in the final months of the season as they chase qualification for European football.
Newcastle have been eliminated from the FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League. Howe's side are 10th in the Premier League standings after 28 games and still have an outside chance of qualifying for the Europa Conference League next season.
"We have a responsibility in the last 10 games to build. We will always have our targets for the season because we are building for the future and to be the most competitive team we can be," Howe said on Saturday.
"There will be no negativity from me or the players. We know the importance of representing the club well in every game and every single moment."
Asked if qualifying for European football would help salvage the season, the English manager said: "That's our aim.
“There is a huge amount to play for, people say our season is over and that's absolute nonsense. We're driving forward to try to get our best form back and try to win as many games as we can. We aim to finish the season in a positive way."
Newcastle next host West Ham United in a league match on Saturday.