They’re in for a ride, the UK media opined regarding Ange Postecoglou’s Premier League debut.

 

Despite not taking home all three points,

Postecoglou’s debut has received favorable

reviews, with many in the UK press

applauding the daring, thrilling style of play

he has brought back to Spurs.

 

 

According to Matt Barlow in the Daily Mail,

“Ange Postecoglou promised his Tottenham

would be entertaining to watch, and they

certainly delivered rich entertainment

against a Brentford side who are also

learning to cope without their main goal threat.”

“Spurs poured forward eager to fill the void

left by Kane’s exit to Munich. They pushed

the back line high and took risks on the ball.

They always looked vulnerable, capable of

conceding and yet they were adventurous

and inventive in possession.

“Yves Bissouma typified the approach,

deployed as the deepest midfielder he was

always looking to jink past the first

opponent or bounce a one-two off a

teammate. When it worked, it looked slick

and stylish. When it didn’t, the defensive

were plunged into trouble.”

 

Meanwhile former Premier League star

Matt Holland declared on commentary: “It’s

going to be fun.

“Everyone who has a season ticket for

Tottenham this year, they’re in for a ride.”

Former Ireland striker Clinton Morrison was

also pleased with what he saw, particularly

in possession.

“Seeing Ange Postecoglou’s new-look

Tottenham they’re not bad in possession,”

he said on BBC Radio 5.

“After taking the lead, going behind and

then fighting back, they showed real

togetherness.

“It’s been a difficult week for them losing

Harry Kane, credit to them.”

“Already making his mark at the club with

his Tottenham team playing some rather

eye-catching football in pre-season, the new

head coach was always going to need a good

amount of time to get his team fully playing

his way and doing everything he wants on

the pitch,” Guest wrote.

“Given the change in approach compared to

last season, there is going to be some very

good football on offer but also some scares

along the way in the opening weeks of his

Spurs tenure.

“Although the result wasn’t there for

Postecoglou in his first game in charge of the

club, Tottenham fans have been left very

impressed by the football on offer and can

see what he is trying to do at the club.”

 

This is a modal window.

However, a lot of the criticism has been

levelled at their lack of cutting edge, as

Spurs scamper for a Kane replacement.

Richarlison was given the first opportunity

to lead the line and failed to impress against

Brentford, struggling to get involved in the

contest against the Bees.

Barlow wrote: “Perhaps understandably,

Postecoglou’s team lacked any clinical edge

they have come to rely upon with Kane up

front. Richarlison led the line without

looking like finding the net and Heung-min

Son toiled wide on the left.”

 

BBC Sport’s Mantej Mann believes

Postecoglou may need to look at a new

signing before the summer window is over.

“When Harry Kane’s seemingly inevitable

departure from Tottenham was confirmed

on Saturday, all attention in their Premier

League opener was going to be on who led

the line,” he said.

“Richarlison was chosen to play in the

central attacking role but the Brazil forward

struggled to get into the game.

“He cut an isolated figure despite the

creative talent of James Maddison making

his first Spurs appearance after moving

from Leicester City this summer.

“The visitors dominated possession with

nearly 70% of the ball but Richarlison was

unable to benefit from it. No outfield Spurs

player who started the game touched the

ball fewer times (34) than the Brazilian,

apart from Christian Romero (10), who was

substituted in the 14th minute.

“Richarlison will have to improve in the

coming weeks or Ange Postecoglou may be

forced to enter the transfer market for a

more suitable Kane replacement.”

 

Premier League legend Roy Keane echoed

those sentiments, believing Spurs should

look elsewhere to fill the Kane sized hole in

attack.

“I think it’s great for Kane and Spurs have

got good money for him” Keane told Sky Sports.

“It’s not going to drag out, now the manager

can get focused, and get another striker in.

They certainly need to get someone else in.”