Why this week's 'uncomfortable' Postecoglou claim is a surprise to me
Postecoglou's interview style isn't for everyone, but suggestions that prickly responses are causing concern among journalists and supporters alike are wide of the mark
Ange Postecoglou's press conference style isn't going to be for everyone, particularly if you're new to it or don't get the straight-talking Australian sense of humour.
After the most recent Spurs pre-match press conference, one report later that day mentioned that "Ange Postecoglou's direct, open and honest communication style is refreshing but, at times, that honesty can leave some reporters feeling uncomfortable as he can sometimes issue prickly responses".
That quote when tweeted out by the major news organisation came as a surprise to most of the journalists who cover Postecoglou week in, week out and was met on social media with the kind of responses you would expect from the general public and quite rightly so.
Reporters can't moan about feeling awkward about the responses their often awkward or repetitive questions can provoke.
Managers must always be quizzed and queried. There's nothing wrong with that and I've always said it's my job to be the Tottenham fans' man on the inside asking what they would want to ask.
That's not always possible to the letter of course, or at least isn't possible in the manner of how some supporters would want a question asked. After a defeat in particular, emotions run high and some of the question suggestions I get are, let's say, slightly aggressive and in reality would bring no response other than the manager walking out of the press conference room.
There's no fear though to be had in press conferences. Managers don't mind the tough questions at all, they know it's part of your job and it's part of their job to face that on a weekly basis.
The most annoying aspect of media duties for Premier League managers is the repetition. That comes in different forms. One is after a match, when they go through often up to 10 or more television and radio interviews before even walking into their press conference.
They've had the same questions asked over and over again within the space of about half an hour and they've got to provide slightly different answers each time. That's just the nature of the beast though and the scale of the Premier League.
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