Ange Postecoglou insists Tottenham’s FA Cup trip to minnows Tamworth won’t faze him… as he recalls the bizarre time he had to clear TOADS from a pitch in Fiji

Ange Postecoglou will take Tottenham to Tamworth confident no freakish surprises will lurk at The Lamb to eclipse the time he had to clear toads from a pitch in Fiji.

Postecoglou was South Melbourne boss, competing for a place at the Club World Championship in Brazil in 2000.

Manchester United had been granted permission to withdraw from the FA Cup to play in the same tournament, although their route to Rio de Janiero did not contain amphibious hazards.

‘We were warming up and there were toads we had to remove which kept jumping on the pitch,’ recalled the Spurs boss. ‘At the time you’re kind of going “Really?” But, when you realise there was a fair bit of money at stake and the opportunity to play at the Maracana against some of the best teams in the world, was quite extraordinary.

‘Our president George Vasilopoulos had these worry beads and they got a working out that day, let me tell you. He kept thinking about our bank balance and seeing frogs and toads on the field. It’s an experience.’

South Melbourne won through and Postecoglou is well versed in the underdog mentality which will fuel fifth-tier Tamworth when they entertain Tottenham in the FA Cup third round on Sunday. 

Postecoglou recalled a story from when he managed South Melbourne against Man United

Spurs will travel to National League side Tamworth in a FA Cup third round tie on Sunday 

‘We ended up playing at the Maracana against the great Manchester United, who had won a treble, so there was a fair different between us,’ said the Spurs boss. ‘We lost 2-0 but gave a decent account of ourselves given the difference.

‘On the day, some of my players, who were semi-pro but good footballers and probably played the best game of their lives that day. What we’re going to face, is probably players hoping to play the best game of their lives on that day.

‘That’s what I love about the game. It allows people at all levels to dream and it’s why the FA Cup is such a great competition. It allows every club, irrespective of level, to dream that the fairytale story could be theirs. I’m on the other side of the fence this time. I want to make sure that we show our capabilities as well.’

Postecoglou will rest players but intends to start with new £12.5million signing Antonin Kinsky in goal after his impressive debut in the Carabao Cup against Liverpool.

‘The Czech league shut down in the middle of December,’ he said. ‘He hadn’t played a competitive game in three weeks and he felt a bit rusty. It makes sense to give him another game and get him back in the group playing football.’

Rodrigo Bentancur, carried off with a head injury against Liverpool, will miss the next two weeks in line with concussion guidelines.

‘He’s had every check and everything was fine,’ said Postecoglou. ‘He will go through the protocols and we will make sure he is absolutely fine before he starts again.’