As if we didn’t already know, last night’s clash was exactly that—a clash, but of completely differing footballing styles. Ange Postecoglu’s high-pressing Spurs versus David Moyes’ low-block West Ham. The energy, the intensity, the sheer audacity of this Tottenham team—it’s all there in abundance. However, as the final whistle blew, leaving Spurs on the wrong end of the scoreline once again, one couldn’t help but ponder: Is the high-octane approach sustainable for success?

And what actually is success for the Spurs supporters? Only today, I heard West Ham fans calling in to Talksport and berating Moyes for his boring approach! This just hours after beating their biggest rivals on their own turf and winning four of their last five games. Have supporters now resigned themselves to the fact they may not win silverware so would rather be entertained and lose?

The first ten minutes of recent games have been a whirlwind for Spurs. Against Aston Villa, the Lilywhites could have easily been three goals up within the blink of an eye. The attacking prowess is evident, the chances are there, but the crucial aspect of converting these opportunities into a comfortable lead seems to be eluding them.

At the heart of this conundrum lies the paradox of Spurs’ style—a breathtaking high intensity that, when it works, is a joy to behold. However, the fine line between brilliance and vulnerability becomes stark when the halftime whistle blows and they find themselves with just a solitary goal lead. The second-half intensity drops, and opponents, like West Ham last night, capitalise on a seemingly more subdued Spurs late on.

Those around my age may remember the days of Martin Jol—quick off the block but would fade away by the 60th minute. He didn’t exactly go down as a club managerial legend. It is no coincidence that they have dropped more points from leads than any other team in the Premier League this season, relinquishing 16.

Ange Postecoglu’s commitment to his tactics is commendable. Football, after all, is a game of fine margins. The big man himself would rightly argue against changing tact at halftime when they have been so rampant in the game. But herein lies the dilemma. After a series of games showcasing a pattern of dominance followed by vulnerability, the question arises: when does caution become a necessity?

The absence of key players like Van Der Ven and Maddison has undoubtedly affected Spurs’ campaign. One can’t help but wonder if with their star players fit, they’d still be perched atop the league. However, the concern remains whether the high press can be sustained post-Christmas, especially with the inevitable fatigue that sets in. Klopp’s Liverpool have arguably been the recent trendsetters of this style, and yet they only held off the more measured Man City once to win the league, and in the Covid season.

Ange’s response of “That’s just who we are, mate” is as noble as it is naive. The fearlessness is admirable, but a touch of pragmatism might be the missing link for sustained success. This entertaining football seems to be blinkering everyone. How can one manager be getting so much stick when winning while another has managed 1 point from the last 5 games?

I would hate to see the football world’s reaction if David Moyes’ team went down to 9 men against Chelsea and then went on to make the pitch as small as possible by sitting on the halfway line. Every decent manager knows that to play so high, you need to close the space. How can you do that with so few players? Ironically, Chelsea were still there for the taking had they adopted a more cautious approach.

While Ange Postecoglu’s philosophy is a breath of fresh air, a blend of daring attacking football and tactical adaptability might be the key to transforming Tottenham from early-season contenders to season-long title challengers. Now, instead of being the fairy at the top of the Christmas tree, they are merely a bauble closer to the presents. Only the presents are a pair of socks, and nobody wants socks for Christmas.

As the festive fixtures approach, Spurs find themselves at a crossroads. Will Ange stick to his guns, or will a more measured approach emerge? The tantalising answer lies in the unfolding drama of the Premier League. Being Greek myself with a Greek/Australian mother-in-law, I fear the stubbornness will remain!