The hits just keep on coming for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur. One day after falling 1-0 to former Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo and Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, Postecoglou was back in front of the microphone addressing yet another problem for his injury-blighted side.
Central defender Radu Dragusin was substituted in the second half against Forest with what appeared to be an ankle knock, leading to fresh concerns that he might not be available when Spurs play Wolves this Sunday. Postecoglou also announced in the press conference that Ben Davies, who was expected to be back for Sunday, had a “setback” in training that will rule him out for another couple of weeks. Fullback Djed Spence is also suspended after picking up two yellow cards vs. Forest.
“Bit early to tell [on Radu], he obviously tweaked his ankle and felt like he couldn’t continue, we’ll just have to wait and see. Wait until he gets in today and then assess it from there.
“No [Davies is] ruled out, unfortunately he had a setback in training so he’s out for another couple of weeks. He’s gone.
“Djed [Spence] got sent off obviously so we’ll miss Djed but from physical perspective tired bodies but no further issues.”
Add those to the pre-existing injuries to Cuti Romero and Micky van de Ven, and it means that Big Ange is officially out of central defenders. If Dragusin can’t play, it means Archie Gray is now the most experienced healthy CB at the club, and would be paired with... someone? Yves Bissouma deputized there in the latter stages of yesterday’s match and he or Rodrigo Bentancur could slot in beside Archie.
Another option would be to call up Alfie Dorrington from the U23s. Should Ange go that route, Spurs would be playing an 18 and 19 year old central defense duo; their combined ages (37) would be one year older than current starting goalkeeper Fraser Forster (36). Strange times.
Postecoglou said that this injury situation is unprecedented in his career.
“We’re in a tough spot and have been for a while, we’ve been getting through it for quite a while now and keeping fingers crossed that we don’t get more issues but the nature of football and fixture scheduling we’ve had means we’ve always been on a fine line of being able to get through. It’s another test for us but whatever we need to deal with, we’ll deal with and get ready for Sunday.
“No, [I haven’t experienced anything like this], not at this level and for this extended period of time. There’s always been issues at different times but not to this extent. I think we’ve had close to pretty consistently 10 first team players not available for a significant run of games. Definitely a first for me.”
So what does that mean for Tottenham’s January recruitment? Ange didn’t give much away but did suggest that the recruitment team under Johan Lange are looking at possibilities. That said, Ange made it clear that it’s unlikely there will be panic buys — if players come in it’s because they’re a part of the long-term plans at Tottenham Hotspur.
“I still think you can be disciplined. It will depend where we’re at when the window opens and we’re getting close to that now, so we’ve got a clearer picture of where we’re at. I still think we have to be disciplined, it’s not just about just bringing anybody in. There’s certainly a need to reinforce if we can.
“Everyone knows January’s not an easy time to do that. But the club’s working hard behind the scenes to see what we can do to help players we’ve got at the moment who are giving everything in every game and dipping into every bit of energy they have to try to get us through.
“I just think we need to help some of these guys. At least two or three who are fairly long term injuries so you know you’re going to be short there. Others are coming back from significant injuries and you don’t know how long they’ll take to get up to speed. We need some reinforcements and the club is working hard to make that happen and we’ll see where we get to.
“[It’s not the most important transfer window] in years but I think in the context of where we’re at at the moment I think it is an important one. I think if we add what we need to add and it fits the bill in what we’re trying to do… Our league position is not great but it’s super tight and we’re not that far off. Like I say, we’re in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup and still in great position in Europe and there’s the FA Cup.
“There’s still everything to play for for us this year to make it a season where we can have success. But we need some help, the players need some help more importantly, and the club is working really hard to try make that happen.”
This is very much a “dark night of the soul” period for Tottenham Hotspur. The pacing of the match schedule is relentless, and combined with the injuries, continual fatigue and small problems end up spiraling leading to a negative feedback loop. But as Ange has continually said, the only way out of this quagmire is through. That continues Sunday vs. Wolves.