Prickly Postecoglou shirks Tottenham Hotspur 'accusations' in Top 4 revelation

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou insisted that a top-four finish is not make-or-break for the club's first season under his stewardship after a 3-0 humbling away at Fulham on Saturday evening.

The Australian was gruff as he swotted away accusations that his side had bottled the chance to move into the top four with a victory over bottom-half Fulham. Spurs would have leapfrogged Aston Villa in the table, with the Villains facing West Ham on Sunday.

Speaking to the media at Craven Cottage, Postecoglou said: "You can level any accusation you want. I get it and am happy for people to run that sort of commentary to me, I don't see fourth as a prize. The club has finished fourth before, it's finished second before. It's reached a Champions League final. This club has achieved.

"Fourth is not my end goal. I don't want to finish fourth if we haven't grown as a team and developed as a team. If no one believes me, that's fine. Part of the narrative is to push for these positions where you think fourth is some kind of achievement.

"Fourth would be great if I feel we are growing as a team with something that will bring us success next year. Fourth isn't my goal. I get it from the outside that it seems like people are pushing you into that position where you have to succeed or fail on an outcome. Success is built on more tangible stuff. If we finish fifth and have a team to challenge next year - I won't be disappointed."

It was the first time that Tottenham Hotspur had failed to score in the Premier League under Postecoglou's attack-minded leadership and the manager also insisted that it wasn't a concern given the fact that his men had created chances against the hosts.

Spurs now have two weeks away from action for the international break before facing strugglers Luton Town at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 30. The club is still to play Arsenal and Manchester City again this term.