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Gary Neville thinks Ange Postecoglou has made big change with two Tottenham players

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Gary Neville has now been discussing a noticeable change Ange Postecoglou has made with his Tottenham Hotspur full backs of late.

Before the season started, there was a big debate over who Postecoglou would choose as his starting pair.

Aston Villa v Sheffield United - Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

Many thought Ivan Perisic and Emerson Royal could be the starting duo until Destiny Udogie impressed in pre-season.

It was then considered that Royal would provide a nice balance alongside Udogie’s offensive qualities.


However, once the campaign was under way, it became clear that Postecoglou would put his faith in Pedro Porro and Udogie as his first choice.

Some managers may have considered that a risky move, but Postecoglou seemed convinced.

That being said, Tottenham reaped the rewards of that choice, starting the season incredibly well on the front foot.

And when speaking on the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast, Jamie Carragher was questioning Gary Neville on some previous comments he made.

Carragher thought Neville criticised Postecoglou’s idea to invert his Tottenham full-backs, something the pundit rebuffed.

Gary Neville points out big change Ange Postecoglou has made wit his Tottenham full-backs

Instead, Neville pointed out a change that he’s noticed of late.

Carragher initially said: “What’s changed your mind? You said that Postecoglou was putting his full-backs in midfield.

“You did analysis on it. You said these managers putting full-backs in midfield. You questioned him after two games.”

Neville replied: “No, no. I didn’t question him at all. And by the way they are not doing it now.

“Porro and Udogie are not receiving on the edge of their own box any more, they were receiving it on the edge of their own box and giving it away in that game [vs Man United].

“They are not receiving it there now, they are getting it another 20 or 30 yards up the pitch now. You know that.

“They could now push and dismantle Villa, Liverpool and Arsenal. I’m not saying they will but they could. It’s not a ridiculous statement.”

Pedro Porro will need to improve

As Neville points out, Postecoglou’s full backs are so crucial to the way in which Tottenham look to win games.

And whilst Pedro Porro is having an outstanding season, he will need to improve defensively.

Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

The defender has been unfairly criticised by Tim Sherwood in the past, something he has now responded to.

But it seems to be a matter of concentration for Porro, much like Oleksandr Zinchenko at Arsenal.

Whilst the two aren’t the same player, they do have similar difficulties defending whilst playing an untraditional full-back role.