Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham face a big game this weekend as they look to return to winning ways in the Premier League. Taking on Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the international break, Spurs were on track to claim all three points at the Amex Stadium but they unfortunately let a 2-0 lead slip and eventually lost 3-2.
That is why Saturday's game at home to West Ham is very important to Postecoglou as he looks to get his team challenging towards the top of the Premier League. Tottenham currently trail Chelsea in fourth by four points and they cannot afford for that lead to be extended even though it is still so early in the 2024/25 campaign.
Postecoglou has had limited players to work with at Hotspur Way due to the international break taking place immediately after the Brighton defeat. However, the number of players at his disposal will only increase as the week goes on but time will be limited due to the fact they play first on Saturday.
Here we take a look at what will be on the Australian's to-do list ahead of the game.
Injury latest
Tottenham fans will be hoping for a boost on the injury front leading up to the West Ham game. Lucas Bergvall's time with the Swedish national team has come to an early end after picking up a "minor injury" that has ruled him out of Monday night's game against Estonia.
The national side confirmed that the midfielder has departed the Sweden camp "to manage his rehabilitation in a club environment". Postecoglou and Spurs will have their fingers crossed that the player's injury does not result in a spell on the sidelines.
In terms of Tottenham's other international players, Spurs will want to keep tabs on Cristian Romero's fitness levels with the centre-back facing a very quick turnaround over the coming days. Romero's return from South America last month was a big talking point after the Arsenal defeat and this time Argentina are playing in the early hours of Wednesday morning before Tottenham feature in the Saturday lunchtime game.
In regards to those who did not depart on international duty this month, Son Heung-min has missed the team's last three games due to a hamstring injury and Richarlison and Wilson Odobert have also spent time on the sidelines recently. The Brazilian does appear to be getting there with his fitness after he was photographed on the grass at Hotspur Way last week.
The ex-Everton man looked to be working away from his teammates but one positive was the fact he was training with a ball again. Swift returns to action for both Richarlison and Odobert would certainly boost Postecoglou's options on the bench going into a very busy period of games.
If Son is in a position to return this weekend then you would imagine he goes straight into the team and takes the place of Timo Werner. At a time when Tottenham need a lift after their Brighton defeat, the return of the South Korean would do just that for Postecoglou and the club.
The Australian will most definitely be checking up on the fitness of the trio, Bergvall and the international players in the days ahead of this weekend's game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Avoid Brighton repeat
Tottenham really should be going into the West Ham encounter on the back of six successive wins in all competitions. The north London club were very impressive in the first half at Brighton before delivering such a poor showing after the break.
It has happened a couple of times during Postecoglou's Tottenham tenure and he needs to ensure it becomes a thing of the past. Whether that is putting games completely out of sight in the first half or better game management after the break, Tottenham cannot keep dropping points when in excellent positions or else Postecoglou will not be able to achieve his goals at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Three points and a 90-minute performance would be the ideal response after what happened on the south coast last time out.
Make midfield call
Postecoglou could look to make a couple of changes here and there against West Ham after the Brighton defeat. One of those alterations could possibly come in midfield.
Rodrigo Bentancur has delivered some very impressive performances over the past month but his showing at Brighton was not one of them. That in turn could open up the door for Yves Bissouma to come back into the side after having to contend with a spot on the bench in recent games.
James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are guaranteed starters in midfield right now, thus leaving Postecoglou with a decision to make over Bentancur and Bissouma. What could possibly swing thing in the Uruguayan's favour is that he has spent the international break at Hotspur Way with the head coach as he is currently serving a ban on the international stage.
Need for defence to be alert
Tottenham have conceded some very poor goals this season, with Danny Welbeck's winner for Brighton possibly topping the list. The experienced striker had it so easy as he simply moved with ease between Pedro Porro and Romero to nod home from point-blank range.
The other two goals Spurs conceded were also extremely poor, and it is something Spurs must cut out of their game or it is going to prove so costly come May. Postecoglou and his coaching staff need to work closely with the backline in the lead up to the West Ham game and ensure there is no repeat on their return to Premier League action.
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