Rio Ferdinand claims Ange Postecoglou has brought ‘steeliness’ to Tottenham after grinding out 1-0 win against Luton and insists they ‘would have capitulated’ last year

Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Ange Postecoglou for Tottenham’s change in mentality after their 1-0 win over Luton. 

The north London side continued their bright start to the season as Micky van de Ven’s second-half strike guided them to victory at Kenilworth Road despite Yves Bissouma’s red card. 

Ferdinand claims Spurs would have ‘capitulated’ and ‘fallen apart’ if they went down to 10 men last season, praising Postecoglou for their turn around this term. 

Speaking on TNT Sports, the former Manchester United defender said: ‘I think this is a huge result for the changing room, the fanbase obviously but most importantly for the changing room. 

‘There was a soft belly to this Tottenham team over the last year or so. Last year they would have lost this game. They would have gone down to ten men and capitulated and fallen apart. But [Postecoglou] has put a steeliness into this team now.

Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on boss Ange Postecoglou for the club’s change in mentality

The former defender claims Tottenham would have lost if the game was staged last season 

‘The two centre halves today, when you go down to ten men you’ve got to stand up and perform. Romero and Van de Ven were absolutely top class defensively. So from that point of view this team are going in the right direction.

‘Any talk about the championship is too early.’

Meanwhile, former Spurs striker Peter Crouch picked out Postecoglou decision to bring in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for Richarlison following Bissouma’s sending off. 

‘The manager had a massive decision at half-time to make bringing taking of Richarlison and bringing on Hojbjerg what a replacement,’ Crouch said. 

‘Someone to steady the ship, be solid in that midfield and they still had a threat going forward with Maddison and Son.’ 

Tottenham remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season after their win over Luton. They have also gone top of the table but Manchester City will have the chance to regain top spot with a win over title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.