Ange Postecoglou is delighted that Dominic Solanke is now delivering crucial goals for his side in clutch moments, with the Tottenham boss explaining why the centre-forward is pivotal to the way his side plays.
Solanke has had a bit of a strange season. The centre-forward had a lot to live up to, given his huge price tag, and he has not looked burdened by the responsibility from day one.
While the England international tends to attract attention for what he does off the ball and his play outside the box, he has also demonstrated that he is a fox-in-the-box, having the ability to sniff chances.
The striker has quietly amassed 15 goals and seven assists across all competitions for Tottenham this campaign, despite having a lengthy spell on the treatment table.
Ange Postecoglou impressed by Dominic Solanke’s calmness
Postecoglou pointed out that the 27-year-old offers a lot more to his side than just the goals he scores, but admitted that he is delighted to see the striker now coming up with crucial goals.
The Australian praised the striker’s calmness and clear-headedness while finishing off the chances that fall to him.
When asked about Solanke being back among the goals, Postecoglou joked (via Football.London): “I think he started that scoring run just after you asked me that he hadn’t scored for quite a while, right? That’s why always take a breath. Bit of yoga. Just let things go.
“He missed a lot of football, Dom. He is the kind of guy who when he has been playing for us, he just works his socks off, but he has had an interrupted season as well. He is crucial to us.
“It’s not just the goals he scored. He adds so much to our game in terms of how hard he works for the team with and without the ball but he is getting goals at crucial stages.
“Especially when you are talking about knockout games, you know it comes down to moments. It’s easy to say it was just a penalty [against Bodo and Frankfurt], but they were big penalties for us, massive moments. You need somebody with real calmness and clear-headedness to take those chances, even the one the other night.”
Postecoglou pleased to see improvement in one area from Tottenham
The 59-year-old admitted that he has been delighted with the kind of threat Tottenham Hotspur have posed from set-pieces this season, mentioning that as a marked area of improvement from last campaign.
Postecoglou remarked that Solanke is a big reason for that improvement, given his ability to get into good areas and sense where the ball would drop.
The Spurs boss added: “The hot topic for us last year was set-pieces. Our set-pieces this year have been outstanding. We are a threat every time we get one. We stop the opposition and that is something the guys and coaching staff worked on a lot.
“Dom getting into those areas from set-pieces, again, he was in the right place. Big goal for us in the context of the game. Pleased for him. That’s why it’s important — it’s his first year at the club — I think he has been outstanding but again he has had his issues with unfortunate injuries, no fault of his own, but guys you can really build something around for the next few years.”
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