I've kept your comment in mind as I browse articles. Here's Eccleshare's contribution in an article about each club's Reasons to be Cheerful:
One single reason for Spurs fans to feel optimistic? Your manager is Ange Postecoglou. And how can that not convince you that somehow everything will be OK?
Even if Spurs were to lose to Fulham on Monday, he’ll just say something like, “Losing’s a part of life, mate” and everything won’t seem so bad.
Even if Spurs lose the next five games, he’ll somehow make things seem fine, like a reassuring father comforting their child after they’ve hurt their knee.
And the great thing is, Spurs are unlikely to lose their next one or five games because, under Postecoglou, they’re actually good again. Top of the league, in fact – it could be worse.
Can't argue that Big Ange is a reason for optimism. But instead of pointing out what he's doing to get improved performances from the likes of Bissouma, Romero, Porro or Son, or what he's done to get newcomers like Vicario, Udogie and Van de Ven settled in so quickly and effectively, he implies that if we lose, Big Ange is just going to shrug it off. Look at the abundant use of negative wording -
lose, losing, worse - or the lame analogy of father and crying child. It's a crafty way to inject a pessimistic tone and, instead of boosting positive thoughts, the net effect is to get Spurs fans pondering about past under-achievements or the inevitable dip in performance so many expert pundits think will happen. Like it's no big deal to Ange. Of course Eccleshare thinks he'd treat a five game losing streak like it's fine. He's an Arsenal season ticket holder.
I'm surprised he left out these words after the final period.
And soon.