Negative Spurs narrative can change with silverware, says Postecoglou

‘I’ve said before that the narrative around the club is not positive at all,’ said Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou. ‘That’s existed for a very long time.’ Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Ange Postecoglou says the only cure for the anxiety at Tottenham is for the team to end their 17-year wait for silverware. The manager felt the mood inside the club’s stadium shift sharply on Thursday night when they conceded for 3-1 towards the end of the Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodø/Glimt.

Before that the atmosphere had been excellent, the players responding, but it seemingly does not take much for the fans to begin to fear the worst. The tie finished 3-1, which should be enough for Spurs to navigate Thursday’s return after Sunday’s Premier League trip to West Ham. Yet there has been nervous talk about Bodø’s impressive home record, the perils of their artificial surface and the cold that awaits in the Arctic Circle.