By The Telegraph (World News) | Created at 2024-10-06 14:15:36 | Updated at 2024-10-06 16:21:09
2 hours ago
It’s the battle of the high lines this afternoon on the south coast as Brighton play host to Tottenham.
Since he arrived in north London Ange Postecoglou has had Tottenham press aggressively. It worked well against Manchester United last week, a 3-0 win underlining Spurs’ entertaining approach under the Australian as much as it illustrated United’s current malaise.
The high line, however, for Brighton last week did not work as well. Having shipped four first-half goals to Chelsea/Cole Palmer, questions were being asked about the new, young, manager Fabian Hürzeler whose commitment to the high line at Stamford Bridge bordered, at times, on the kamikaze.
So how will this afternoon’s match play out? It would be a shock to see either coach depart from their go-to philosophy, but one thing that’s not in doubt is that there will be a warm embrace from Postecoglou to his 31-year-old opposite number.
The Spurs manager has revealed that Hurzeler “made a real impression on everyone” when he visited the Tottenham training ground last year.
“He spent a day with us,” Postecoglou said. “He asked a lot of questions and I gave him too many answers, for sure.
“He was inquisitive about everything. He was already a senior manager, doing a good job, and the fact that he still wanted to ask questions – he made a real impression on everyone.”
Would the Australian have extended the invitation to Hurzeler had he known that they would be facing each other this season.
“Yes, I would have done,” Postecoglou said. “There’s nothing wrong with being a nice person.
“If somebody comes and knocks on your door and wants a cup of tea as a kindred spirit, you let him in your house. He’s not going to take the furniture or steal the cutlery. You kind of trust that.”
Let’s see if they’re so friendly with each other come the final whistle today, with kick-off set for 4.30. Stay here for all the team news and action.
