James Maddison has spoken about the powerful manner in which Ange Postecoglou addresses the squad, admitting that the Australian commands the full attention of the players when he starts talking.
While Postecoglou has received plenty of praise for his tactical approach, having quickly got his Spurs side playing a free-flowing, high-intensity style of play, but one of his biggest strengths is undoubtedly his communication skills.
Tottenham fans will have already seen videos of some of the inspirational team talks the 58-year-old has given over the years (Optus Sport), and Maddsion has now revealed that the Spurs boss chooses the perfect words to get the players fully charged up.
(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Postecoglou is a master of the Spurs team talk
The attacking midfielder told The Sun about Postecoglou: “He’s a really good motivational speaker. He has this way about him, when he talks to a group of players, he’s almost like an alpha male. When he’s talking, everyone’s listening. You can’t even blink.
“The team talks he does normally the day before the game, or even the day of the game in the changing room, they get you going, they get you ready to go out and play.
“He’s demanding of you. He uses real-life stuff to compare to football. He relates it back to life and family. It makes you want to play, work and run for him. He’s got a natural talent.”
Maddison also opened up on his budding relationship with Son Heung-min, praising the way that the South Korean has stepped up since being handed the captaincy, and admitted that no player at Tottenham wants to let down the 31-year-old.
The England international also remarked that the forward remains extremely down to earth and warm off the pitch despite setting high stands on it.
When asked about the new Spurs skipper, Maddison said: “He’s someone you just want to give a big hug to every time you see him in the morning.
“Even when I was at Leicester, I didn’t know him but he’d come up to me after the game and we’d shake hands, and he’d give you a hug and be complimentary about me as a player.
“He doesn’t have to do that and I see him doing that with other people. He gives his time to people. He’s a warm person to be around and a fantastic captain because he leads by example.
“With him as your captain, you don’t want to let him down because he’s such a good guy and has such high standards. It’s infectious for the group. Sonny’s a great captain and a great friend.”
Spurs Web Opinion
The leaders of the dressing room set the tone for the team culture and it is clear that under the leadership of Son, Maddison and Romero, there is a real sense of comradery and togetherness at the club, with everyone seeming to enjoy each other’s company.
However, the real test of their and Postcoglou’s leadership skills will come when we have a bad run of form.
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