Ange Postecoglou could learn a thing or two from Eddie Howe. The Tottenham manager is coming up short, writes CRAIG HOPE
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Eddie Howe found a different way to win here. Ange Postecoglou stuck with the same way to lose. The Newcastle boss did not like some of what he saw in the second half. Still, he celebrated the resolve and improvisation shown in securing a sixth straight victory.
![[Howe has made changes and Newcastle have now moved 11 points clear of Tottenham]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/11/93752281-14251733-image-a-41_1736076704993.jpg)
By contrast, the Tottenham boss loved what he had seen - a doomed, chaotic pursuit of an equaliser - and yet bemoaned a sixth straight Premier League home match without a win. Howe is an idealist who lives in the real world. Postecoglou is an idealistic who seems trapped in his own, delusional world.
![[Forcing back-up goalkeepers to play like Guglielmo Vicario shows Postecoglou’s stubbornness]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/11/93752295-14251733-image-a-42_1736076766970.jpg)
As recently as mid-December, Newcastle and Spurs were neighbours in the bottom half of the table. They were on 20 points after winless runs and were looking up at Fulham, Brentford and Bournemouth. It felt like they were rivals back then, each flawed in their own way.
![[Postecoglou claimed he was 'the angriest I have ever been' following the defeat to Newcastle]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/11/93752243-14251733-What_is_right_about_not_winning_What_is_right_about_having_no_co-a-17_1736077722414.jpg)
Howe made some changes and, with it, everything changed. Postecoglou, albeit hampered by injury, refused to bend and kept the bad ship Spurs on course for the iceberg. Eleven points separate them now. Ange Postecoglou should learn from Eddie Howe's flexibility rather than sticking with the same way to lose.
![[Considering their injuries, Spurs must adapt - Postecoglou is not managing Celtic anymore]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/11/93752323-14251733-Considering_their_injuries_Spurs_must_adapt_Postecoglou_is_not_m-a-18_1736077722415.jpg)
Howe has made changes and Newcastle have now moved 11 points clear of Tottenham. Forcing back-up goalkeepers to play like Guglielmo Vicario shows Postecoglou’s stubbornness. A good manager, a not-so-good manager. By extension, on current viewing, a very good team and, well, you get the idea. The problem for Spurs is that Postecoglou does not. He is wedded to his own idea and, because of that, there is no plan for improvement, no recognition of the tools at his disposal. He is still trying to chisel his own grand vision with plastic cutlery.
![[Howe admitted that you 'always evolve as a coach' and that it would be 'an issue' not to]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/11/93752339-14251733-Howe_admitted_that_you_always_evolve_as_a_coach_and_that_it_woul-a-19_1736077722427.jpg)
