Postecoglou's youthful approach starts to pay dividends

A pair of 18-year-olds gave Tottenham Hotspur fans a reason to believe in a bright future, as Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray shone in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in Wednesday's League Cup semifinal first leg.

Bergvall's first goal for the club, a sublime 86th minute finish, capped an authoritative performance from the Swedish midfielder, while Gray impressed once again as a makeshift central defender.

With his squad decimated by injuries, Postecoglou has had to throw Bergvall, Gray and Djed Spence in at the deep end, while 21-year-old goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky made an impressive debut against Liverpool, just days after arriving from Slavia Prague.

While Tottenham's season has been chronically inconsistent, there are signs that, given time, it can flourish under the Australian coach.

"Name me another Premier League team that's got two 18-year-olds, one of whom is playing out of position consistently," Postecoglou challenged reporters.

"I'm so happy they're at our football club and, you know, in two or three years' time, I just pray to God I'm the beneficiary of their talent, mate, because if somebody else is getting it, I won't be happy."

Fans have been critical of Tottenham's transfer policy, which has an emphasis on recruiting young talent rather than paying huge wages to established superstars.

Bergvall, who was signed from Djurgarden for 8.5 million pounds ($10.5 million) a year ago, before being loaned back to the club, was "brilliant" against Liverpool and is only going to get better, Postecoglou promised.

"I just don't think people really understand the level of performance that these young guys are giving us at the moment," he added.

"We had a goalkeeper on debut. Djed's playing left back, unbelievably well. Lucas is just growing all the time.

"He's got that ability as a footballer to create space for himself. He's got the quality, but he works awfully hard for the team as well.

"I've got no doubt that, when we get our players back, the foundations are really strong, with a group of players we can really grow with."

Postecoglou was also full of praise for Kinsky, who looked totally at ease, despite making his debut in such a massive game.

"I threw him a mammoth task today, to play against arguably the best team in the world at the moment, in a big game, a semifinal. He just handled it awfully well," Postecoglou said.

While it still has to go to Anfield for the second leg next month, Tottenham will head there believing that it can reach the final and deliver the club's first silverware since 2008.

"We haven't achieved anything, but, I think, just that feeling of having a victory against a top opponent in a big game, I'm really pleased for everyone," Postecoglou said.

Reuters