Ange - stay true in the tough times and we'll come out stronger

Ange Postecoglou feels the squad will be stronger for sticking to his footballing philosophy during this 'tough period' with players sidelined through injury and suspension.

We travelled to Manchester for the daunting test of treble winners City at the Etihad without the services of nine injured players and Cuti Romero suspended. Good news saw Richarlison back on the bench, while Yves Bissouma returned from suspension.

Our performance in a thrilling 3-3 draw against a City team with 24 wins from 25 matches at home prior to Sunday was, therefore, admirable. We led early through Heung-Min Son only for City to swarm all over us, level almost immediately, hit the woodwork twice and take a 2-1 lead by half-time.

Undaunted, we improved in the second half, levelled via Gio Lo Celso's lovely strike and then came back again after Jack Grealish restored City's lead (81 minutes) to secure a point through Dejan Kulusevski's header on 90 minutes.

Speaking in his post-match press conference at the Etihad, Ange said: "We're going through a tough period, absolutely, in terms of personnel, players playing in positions they're not familiar with and, at the same time, me not wanting them to compromise on the team we want to be, so it's not easy.

"I always feel that if you can get through these tough periods in the manner which I think you need to, and that is trying to stay true to what you started, trying to work on the team you want to become, you come out of it stronger, irrespective of the knocks you get along the way.

"It's how you deal with the inevitable challenges and tough times because every team will go through them. Now, we've gone through a fairly extreme one and we're still going to go through it. We're going to get Romero back this week which will be great for us. We've obviously missed him in the back four. Richy got some game time and hopefully Pape Sarr, by the end of the week, will be available, but the rest of them won't be back until the new year.

"I think how you deal with tough times is just as important. I really do. That's why I've been really strong on us not wavering from playing the football that we want to play.

"I guess a day like today, if nothing else, gives the players a bit of belief in themselves as people more than players, that you know what, they do have that character and belief that even in the toughest of circumstances, not to lay down."