The National Times - Postecoglou taken aback by criticism of his second season success claim

The 59-year-old Australian, following Sunday's 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal in the north London derby, was asked about his pre-season comments of delivering a trophy during a second campaign as he had done in Scotland with Celtic.

Postecoglou replied "nothing's changed", as he attempts to build on last season, when he steered Spurs to fifth place in the Premier League.

Former Australia boss Postecoglou also won silverware at South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar as well as in Japan with Yokohama F Marinos.

He now takes Tottenham to second-tier Coventry in the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday, reviving memories of the Sky Blues' 1987 FA Cup final win over Spurs.

It is now 16 years since Tottenham last lifted a major trophy, the 2008 League Cup, and Postecoglou was asked again Tuesday about his remarks regarding winning silverware this season.

"It is amazing, isn't it? I just stated a fact and it seems like am I supposed to just lie or just say it never happened?" Postecoglou said at a press conference.

"It is confusing to me that people are making a big deal out of something -- surely I am supposed to answer something that is true?

"Like if I don't win in the second year this year, and I come out next year and say, 'well I always win in it'... well no, actually it is not true.

"But I have just said something that is true and it seems like it has upset a lot of people for some reason."

Postecoglou added: "Do you really think it's me sort of boasting?

"How am I supposed to answer something that is true? Is it to say, 'well, actually, it wasn't that important. They were easy competitions, and they don't mean anything'?

"If you have achieved something, aren't you supposed to say, 'yes I have and that's what I hope to do again'?

"I am not really sure why people misconstrue it as me trying to boast about something. I have answered a question which is true."

V.Allen--TNT