Football.London

Radu Dragusin spoke to the media at Ibrox Stadium on Wednesday evening ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League match against Rangers.

Spurs are in Glasgow to try to get their European campaign back on track after three straight wins were followed by a defeat at Galatasaray and a draw at home against Roma and head coach Ange Postecoglou is facing an injury crisis with new injuries to Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven adding to an absence list that already includes Guglielmo Vicario, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert, Ben Davies and Mikey Moore.

That leaves Dragusin as the only fit centre-back and our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to the 22-year-old Romania international and we've got the full transcript from the young defender's press conference below.

You're the last man standing when it comes to fit and available central defenders, how does that make you feel?

Obviously, with the injuries it's always tough, you know, because you have to manage the players very well. Then when you go on the pitch, you have to give your best regardless of which position you're used to playing. We are a group of players with quality that I trust a lot, and, regardless of any injury problems we will go out there and do our best and try to play our football.

From the way the manager was speaking it sounds like young Archie Gray will come in and play alongside you in central defence tomorrow. How can you help him in a position he's not used to in what will be a very hostile atmosphere?

He's already played a couple of games as a centre-back, but, the way we train it is the same as the centre back and as a right back or left-back. So I mean, we have our principles and everybody knows their job. In a defensive way, everybody knows what they have to do, but of course I will try to help him and talk to him throughout the game.

In Galatasaray, you experienced a pretty hostile atmosphere and you're going to another one tomorrow with the extra spice of the old Celtic manager back at the home of his rivals, how do you go about handling that atmosphere?

I'm looking forward to it honestly, because I heard about the atmosphere here also, you know playing these European nights, it's a really nice way of improving, of experiencing this kind of pressure, let's say, with this atmosphere. We are looking forward to it and hopefully we're going to get the points.

Do you think you will be better at handling it than you were in Galatasaray, it looked like some players were shaken by it?

I mean the atmospheres differ from stadium to stadium. We're going to try to focus as good as we can tomorrow, and we're looking forward to the atmosphere.

How do you think Rangers will compare to the normal level you face in England? What do you know about them?

We analysed them in recent days, obviously and prepared for the match. So we know that they are a team that likes to put the physicality in. They like to bring this part of the game in their football. I think most of the game will be about winning our individual duels and trying to play our football.

Do you feel pressure that this is a game Spurs have to win?

Pressure is always present in any football game, regardless of the result that you had in the past. It's just something that we have to continue to stick to our principles, believe in our way of playing, and the results will come.

You've had almost a year now playing for Ange Postecoglou, how comfortable are you now with the style of football with the high line, the passing against the press and all that sort of stuff?

On a personal level, I think I've improved a lot. I feel like under him and under the staff I have evolved as a player and, like you said, the way we defend here, it was really different than the way I defended in the past. But I think it's a really nice way of playing football and enjoyable.

As you're the only fit centre-back now, can you feel like people around you, the staff, are trying to be careful with you and keep you fit as they can't risk losing you?

I don't think so. We train the same way we've always trained since I came here. So that's not an issue.. I mean, it's like, everyday stuff.

What do you put this kind of big injury list down to? Is it the fast training you do, the way you play or is it just bad luck or is it all of it?

Injuries will always be present in a squad, regardless of the way we train and the way we play. I really like the way we play because it's a very aggressive way. We catch a lot of offsides and we have an advantage on this defensive part.

Can you talk about how intense it is to play Ange's football every three days with that high line and having to run back and what do you feel like after a match?

Personally, I feel that I've already got the rhythm of it by playing. Especially in the last period, I played a couple of good games and I feel good. I can't say that I'm tired or anything.

Is it intensive though, having to run back in that high line when you're defending so high up the pitch?

It is, but we train for this every day and because of that, we can manage to do this every game. Like I said in the last games, I didn't feel any kind of issue of doing it.

You personally had a rough start in this competition against Qarabag and then a tough atmosphere in Galatasaray, what do you feel you've learned from this Europa League run?

Yeah, it's the first time I've played regularly in a European competition. So I didn't really know what to expect, but I think with the time I've grown in experience. I'm still in the beginning of my career and I have a lot to learn from it.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham byclicking here for in-depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Gary Neville has agreed with Jamie Carragher after tearing into two Tottenham Hotspur players following Sunday's 4-3 home defeat to Chelsea.

Ange Postecoglou's side led 2-0 against their London rivals before their collapse to suffer a second defeat in a row. Prior to that, Spurs lost 1-0 at Bournemouth on Thursday, and their latest defeat has piled pressure on Postecoglou.

Pundits were notably vocal with their criticism of Spurs' performance while Yves Bissouma and Pape Mata Sarr gave away two penalties in the second half. "Those challenges by [Yves] Bissouma and [Pape Matar] Sarr were absolutely ridiculous," the Manchester United icon said.

"That has nothing to do with the style of play of Ange Postecoglou. They’re absolutely ridiculous decisions, those challenges… It’s just reckless and really poor defending. Yes, maybe there does need to be a little bit of game management introduced, but the rashness, the poor defending, and the poor decision-making on the pitch is bad."

Bissouma gave away a penalty for a reckless tackle on Moises Caicedo and Sarr also tackled Cole Palmer in the box. The England international made no mistake from the spot.

Besides Neville, Carragher also described their action as 'ridiculous,' stating: "Some of the things Tottenham players do is absolutely ridiculous. It’s a certain penalty. That is absolutely braindead. Who’d be a manager?”

On the incident, Jamie Redknapp added: "Caicedo when he went central just started to run the game. Bissouma had 27 seconds of madness. He’s not showing enough pace to get back in there. He dives into a ridiculous tackle. Absolutely ridiculous."

The Tottenham midfielder, Bissouma took to social media after the match to apologise. He wrote: "I’m so sad for that mistake it’s burning me because we lost the game today from this mistake.

"I feel sorry for my teammates staff and fans I take all the responsibility for that one I’ll learn from this one it’s time now to show the real me. Thanks for all the support."

I never think it's just bad luck. Some of it. I've never lost a goalkeeper for this period of time. Some of the other issues that we've had... But some of it is recurring, particularly this year in terms of guys coming back and re-injuring. It's something we're looking at. We're always trying to explore whether we can do things better. Last year was different to this year. Last year it hit us across the board. This year it's more guys that are coming back who are affected. Knock on wood, we've got a core group who are playing a lot and are getting through it ok. But it is something we are trying to address.

Yeah (laughs), I have to get creative. I think Archie's probably the one for us at the moment that we need to try and get to fill in there. He's done right back, left back for us. Had to play at centre-back a little bit this year, he did during the pre-season. With him and Radu, they're the two main sort of defenders. We've still got five or six games to navigate, so we may have to get creative at at some point and deal with it in a different way.

I just think you deal with these things internally. I just don't think there's any benefit for us. I know people get really salacious about punishments and stuff. They really love that sort of thing. I think I'm pretty consistent in saying I don't just think that's important. I think what's more important is an understanding of how we should deal with these things and deal with them better.

I've already spoken to Christian about it and and you know, he's apologised for the fact that the way he said it, particularly in the public sense, wasn't the right way to go about things. He's a human being, he got emotional and I think he just expressed what he wanted to express, probably in the wrong way.

He does care. I think it would have been easy for him not to say anything. He does care, but there's a way to do these things and a way to express yourself and the way he did it wasn't the right way.

In the context of the day, Cristian was really disappointed obviously. More than disappointed in that he'd worked hard to get back, it was a big game for obviously, he knew that, and he had to go off and then watch the team have to feel the pain of another defeat in the manner it happened. He was obviously very emotional. He's a leader in the club, he hasn't been able to help us, I think it was his way of trying to as a leader help us in the group.

We're going through a tough time and he believes in what we're doing. And then the other part of it probably he went about it the wrong way. He's passionate about having success at the club and the way he expressed it was not the right way in a public sense. I don't feel and it's certainly not my belief that our challenges at the moment are down to one thing or one person, I don't believe that, I never have believed that.

Whatever we need to do, we have the power to do that but it'll only happen if we stay united as a group particularly through difficult times, get through to the other side. I fully believe if you can do that, you come out stronger. Cristian realises what he said...a lot of what he said was good, some wasn't right and shouldn't have been done in public. We deal with these things in our own four walls. There's always issues we need to deal with. The same way I wouldn't criticise a player or anyone else, we shouldn't be doing that in a public sense.

Ange Postecoglou spoke to the media at Ibrox Stadium on Wednesday evening ahead of Tottenham's Europa League match against Rangers.

Spurs are in Glasgow to try to get their European campaign back on track after following up three straight wins with a defeat at Galatasaray and a draw at home against Roma. Postecoglou's men sit ninth in the big Europa League table and the top eight in the table at the end of this eight-game stage automatically qualify for the knockout stage while those in ninth spot down to 24th must play another two-legged play-off round early next year.

Postecoglou spoke about new injuries to Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven and an absence list that already includes Guglielmo Vicario, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert, Ben Davies and Mikey Moore.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Postecoglou and we've got the full transcript from the press conference below.

Are you looking forward to a big game?

It’s obviously significant for a couple of reasons. When the draw came out it was the one that was of most interest to me because of my history up here. Looking forward to it, it should be a good game, and in the context of where we are in Europe, an important game, an important game for both clubs. A positive result gets you a good way to getting through to the knockout stages so looking forward to it.

Are you expecting a certain atmosphere?

When I was up here, particularly my first year, they made the Europa League final so I’ve got a pretty clear idea of how challenging it is to play them here in front of that crowd, with the atmosphere, but at the same time, it’s exciting. You look forward to big games and I’m sure the players are as well.

What are you expecting from Rangers?

Probably their domestic season in the league has not gone as well as they would’ve liked but you can tell there’s still the elements of quality there, they’re in the cup final at weekend and done really well in Europe.

For us it’s a one-off game and in one-off games you’re always looking to see how teams perform when they’re at their best. At their best, they’ve shown they’re still a good outfit and a good challenge for us.

Do you have to warn players of the atmosphere?

It’s part of the experience. We played Galatasaray in the last away game and that was a pretty decent atmosphere as well. We’ve got a young team at the moment and and the more we can expose them to games like this the better it will serve us moving forward.

If we get through to the knockout rounds, they’re the kind of games where is going to be a pretty hot atmosphere and you’ve got to be able to handle that and look forward to it as well because you want to play in games like that.

How are the injuries?

Not much better to be fair… obviously with the weekend’s fall-out Romero and Van De Ven, we’re still getting some clarity around their prognosis, but both have picked up injuries that will keep them out again.

That’s disappointing for us because we’re thin on numbers but we’ve had to deal with that for quite a while now. Everyone else from the weekend got through OK. Bentancur is obviously available so at least we get him back.

Will Romero be out for six weeks?

At the moment we’re still getting more information on both the guys and I wouldn’t put any time line on it yet.

How frustrating is it?

It’s challenging. We’ve also got Ben Davies out who played a big part while the other two have been out. It’s no secret we’re thin on numbers both squad wise and position wise. But it is what is, we can’t change that, we’ve got some big games coming up starting tomorrow. We’ll have to deal with what we’ve got. I’m still confident we’ll be able to get the job done with players at our disposal.

Does it bring back memories of the derby and what kind of reception are you expecting?

I think you know what kind of reception I'll get. I loved it. It was a different experience, it was mixed. The first one here we lst and the next one with only 500 or 600 in the building we won and that was pretty special. I've enjoyed all the games against Rangers, all the derbies, they're big games here in Scotland and usually very significant games. They're either title deciders or cuip knockouts so they're always big games and I enjoyed them all and enjoyed the atmosphere. European nights here are going to be something you want to be a part of it.

Has Van de Ven suffered the same hamstring injury again?

It's the same side. Whether it's the same one, we've just got to get clarity on whether it's exactly the same spot or a new spot.

Is this the worst injury crisis you've ever faced?

Yeah, yeah by a fair stretch.

Is it just bad luck or do you have to look at other factors?

I never think it's just bad luck. Some of it. I've never lost a goalkeeper for this period of time. Some of the other issues that we've had... But some of it is recurring, particularly this year in terms of guys coming back and re-injuring. It's something we're looking at. We're always trying to explore whether we can do things better. Last year was different to this year. Last year it hit us across the board. This year it's more guys that are coming back who are affected. Knock on wood, we've got a core group who are playing a lot and are getting through it ok. But it is something we are trying to address.

Cristian Romero came out after the game and backed you while criticising the club's hierarchy, what did you make of his comments?

In the context of the day, Cristian was really disappointed obviously. More than disappointed in that he'd worked hard to get back, it was a big game for obviously, he knew that, and he had to go off and then watch the team have to feel the pain of another defeat in the manner it happened. He was obviously very emotional. He's a leader in the club, he hasn't been able to help us, I think it was his way of trying to as a leader help us in the group. We're going through a tough time and he believes in what we're doing. And then the other part of it probably he went about it the wrong way. He's passionate about having success at the club and the way he expressed it was not the right way in a public sense. I don't feel and it's certainly not my belief that our challenges at the moment are down to one thing or one person, I don't believe that, I never have believed that. Whatever we need to do, we have the power to do that but it'll only happen if we stay united as a group particularly through difficult times, get through to the other side. I fully believe if you can do that, you come out stronger. Cristian realises what he said...a lot of what he said was good, some wasn't right and shouldn't have been done in public. We deal with these things in our own four walls. There's always issues we need to deal with. The same way I wouldn't criticise a player or anyone else, we shouldn't be doing that in a public sense.

Will there be any repercussions for Cristian?

I just think you deal with these things internally. I just don't think there's any benefit for us. I know people get really salacious about punishments and stuff. They really love that sort of thing. I think I'm pretty consistent in saying I don't just think that's important. I think what's more important is an understanding of how we should deal with these things and deal with them better.

I've already spoken to Cristian about it and and you know, he's apologised for the fact that the way he said it, particularly in the public sense, wasn't the right way to go about things. He's a human being, he got emotional and I think he just expressed what he wanted to express, probably in the wrong way.

He does care. I think it would have been easy for him not to say anything. He does care, but there's a way to do these things and a way to express yourself and the way he did it wasn't the right way.

Is Archie Gray going to play at centre-back, is there chance Yves Bissouma players there, I guess you're going to have to get creative?

Yeah (laughs), I have to get creative. I think Archie's probably the one for us at the moment that we need to try and get to fill in there. He's done right back, left back for us. Had to play at centre-back a little bit this year, he did during the pre-season. With him and Radu, they're the two main sort of defenders. We've still got five or six games to navigate, so we may have to get creative at at some point and deal with it in a different way.

Cristian said 'we need to imitate Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool', is that completely unrealistic for Tottenham though in terms of strength?

Well, it depends in what respect. We know there are things that we can compete with. I don't think it's just about finances, you know? I think, yes, finances, where the club kind of sits, we know there's a gap, but not between just us, with most clubs and some of those clubs.

So we understand that, but within that context, I don't think it doesn't mean you can't be competitive in your own way. I think what Cristian was kind of talking about, and it's what I believe as well, is that we should aim to think like those clubs and try to be successful every year.

I think the other thing that he did say quite clearly is that it does have the elements of being a big club, you know, it has the infrastructure, it has the stadium, it has the support. So it's very easy to point the finger of blame about one thing, but also you've got to acknowledge that these things are there as well, because other clubs are endeavouring to do that.

Some still have that journey ahead, It's just the way I kind of think. I just don't think that it's one thing that will get us to where we want to, and I don't think there's one thing that's stopping us from getting to where we want to.

I'm certainly as ambitious as everyone else is at the football club since I've been here to bring success. That means taking on and trying to beat the teams that in some respects have extra resources, but we can find different ways of of bridging that gap.

On the game and the atmosphere, do you relish walking into the pit? Do you like it? Does it bring out more of you?

I don't know if it brings out more of me. I mean, I'm like anyone else, I like a bit of love every now and then, mate. But I do enjoy that. I always kind of reflect and, you know, we've all lived it is that once you experience football in empty stadiums, you realise how meaningless it is.

I felt through that whole period, that Covid period, it was meaningless. So I would win games, as much as you go it could be hostile tomorrow, but yeah that's what we love about the game. That's what brings it to life.

Ultimately, it is a game evokes passions and emotions. Sometimes that's not always positive. Like every human being you'd love it to be positive, but it's not gonna happen. You definitely want that as opposed to playing a game in somewhere sterile where you don't have that.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham byclicking here for in-depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Ange Postecoglou has provided an update on Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven after the Tottenham duo limped off against Chelsea at the weekend.

The Argentinian was forced off with a muscle injury during the first half against the Blues on Sunday. It was a real blow for Romero, who was only making his return from a troublesome foot injury which had kept him out for a number of weeks.

The Dutchman, meanwhile, returned to the side on Sunday for the first time since picking up a hamstring injury against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on October 30. He managed 79 minutes against Chelsea but was replaced after feeling tightness in his hamstring.

Ahead of Tottenham's Europa League clash against Rangers on Thursday night, Postecoglou provided an update on the pair. The Australian said: "Not much better to be fair… obviously with the weekend’s fall-out Romero and Van De Ven, we’re still getting some clarity around their prognosis, but both have picked up injuries that will keep them out again.

"That’s disappointing for us because we’re thin on numbers but we’ve had to deal with that for quite a while now. Everyone else from the weekend got through OK. Bentancur is obviously available so at least we get him back."

Asked if reports are correct claiming Romero will be out for six weeks, Postecoglou said: "At the moment we’re still getting more information on both the guys and I wouldn’t put any time line on it yet."

The Spurs boss added: "It’s challenging. We’ve also got Ben Davies out who played a big part while the other two have been out. It’s no secret we’re thin on numbers both squad wise and position wise.

"But it is what is, we can’t change that, we’ve got some big games coming up starting tomorrow. We’ll have to deal with what we’ve got. I’m still confident we’ll be able to get the job done with players at our disposal."

During the press conference, football.london asked Postecoglou if Van de Ven has suffered the same hamstring injury again. The former Celtic boss said: "It's the same side. Whether it's the same one, we've just got to get clarity on whether it's exactly the same spot or a new spot."

So, with Postecoglou confirming Romero and Van de Ven will not be available for the clash at Rangers, it could be Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray starting at centre-back for the Lilywhites. After Thursday's game Spurs travel to Southampton on Sunday, before a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester United on December 19. Tottenham then welcome Liverpool to north London three days later.

Asked who will play at centre-back against Rangers, the Spurs boss said: "Yeah (laughs), I have to get creative. I think Archie's probably the one for us at the moment that we need to try and get to fill in there. He's done right back, left back for us. Had to play at centre-back a little bit this year, he did during the pre-season. With him and Radu, they're the two main sort of defenders. We've still got five or six games to navigate, so we may have to get creative at at some point and deal with it in a different way."

Cristian Romero has echoed Jamie Carragher's concerns about Tottenham Hotspur in a brutally honest interview. Six years ago, the ex-Liverpool defender slammed Daniel Levy for his lack of ambition - after the Lilywhites didn't strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window.

Despite finishing third in the Premier League in 2018, Tottenham chose not to welcome any new faces to the club. Instead, they promoted Oliver Skipp into the first-team and offloaded a few players; Josh Onomah (loan), Cameron Carter-Vickers (loan), as well as Georges-Kevin N'Koudou (loan in January) and Mousa Dembélé (sale in January).

Meanwhile, Chelsea forked out almost £200million, smashing the transfer record for a new goalkeeper, a holding midfielder and an exciting young winger. As for Arsenal, meanwhile, they didn't spend quite as much but they still brought in five new players to bolster Unai Emery's side.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher claimed Spurs were satisfied with simply qualifying for the Champions League rather than stepping out of their comfort zone, and pushing to win silverware. Six years ago, the former Liverpool defender shared the same concerns as Romero effectively has this week.

Carragher said: "Tottenham didn't recruit in the summer and the team we're looking at now, I feel as if that was the team I was watching two years ago, which was brilliant, [and it] almost won the title.

"You stand still, you fall behind and I don't think it's sustainable what they spend in the transfer market and getting into the Champions League year-in, year-out. That is not down to the great business sense of the club or the board.

"That's to do with the brilliance of [Mauricio] Pochettino, and the players that they have at this moment, and what he's actually getting out of them. [Liverpool] are trying to win the league.

"I think Tottenham are happy with top-four and it's just like, [we've] got the money for the top-four, that'll pay for the stadium, pay for this - that'll mean we don't have to spend much. We don't need to sign anyone in the summer because we've got this good squad with new contracts."

Six years on and Spurs star Romero has been singing from the same hymn sheet. Speaking to Spanish broadcaster Telemundo Deportes, following Tottenham's 4-3 defeat to London rivals Chelsea, he attributed the club's downfall to their lack of competitiveness in the transfer market.

"Manchester City competes every year," said Romero, as quoted and translated from Spanish by the BBC. "You see how Liverpool strengthens its squad, Chelsea strengthens their squad, doesn't do well, strengthens again and now they're seeing results.

"Those are the things to try imitate. You have to realise that something is going wrong, hopefully, they [the board] realise it. The last few years, it's always the same - first the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it's always the same people responsible.

"Hopefully they realise who the true responsible ones are and we move forward because it's a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title every year."

Micah Richards says Enzo Maresca has given Jadon Sancho the licence to maximise his game at Chelsea, believing he was curtailed from using his best assets at Manchester United.

Sancho has two goals in as many Chelsea games, having scored his maiden Blues goal against Southampton last week before sparking the comeback in Sunday’s 4-3 win at Tottenham Hotspur with a superb strike after beating his man.

He has also registered five assists in his 10 Chelsea outings. Sancho is on a season-long loan from United but his deal contains an obligation-to-buy clause worth £25million, which will be triggered next summer.

The player has spoken about being made to feel welcome at Stamford Bridge since his arrival on transfer deadline day, with Chelsea now sitting some 12 points ahead of United in the Premier League table.

Richards believes Sancho was not given enough support in matches during his time at United, which included a spell away from the squad over the 2022/23 festive season and a fall-out with then-manager Erik ten Hag last term.

Sancho is set to leave Old Trafford having recorded just 12 goals and six assists in 83 games after arriving in 2021 on a £73m deal from Borussia Dortmund, the club which he was loaned to for the second half of last season amid his feud with Ten Hag.

Richards has been impressed with Sancho’s recent form and has credited Maresca for his usage of the 24-year-old. “It just shows you that confidence, a system, a manager who believes in what you do… [and has] said 'go out there and show us what you can do' - and he’s proven that,” Richards said on the Rest is Football podcast.

“He’s always been a good player. The only thing I found with Sancho at times when he was at Man United, he wasn’t really taking anyone on. He always had really good feet, he can move the ball side to side really well, he’s good at those link-ups.

“At Man United, they just left him out on the wing to go and dribble past someone. Where if you watched him at Dortmund before that, it was more his link-up play and football intelligence that made him so good.

“His technique… He looks like he’s got that under Maresca at Chelsea, it’s good to see.”

The pressure on Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is mounting after a fragile performance against Chelsea - but there are some football.london readers in our comments section who back the Australian to fight his way out of the corner as the January transfer window looms.

Spurs are 11th in the Premier League table after wasting a 2-0 lead against their London rivals on Sunday, ending the game with a 4-3 defeat. Postecoglou's squad have only won one of their last seven games in all competitions, with memories of a famous win against Manchester City at the end of November now fading fast.

Frustration at recent results has led to calls from some quarters to make a huge change, but there are few obvious candidates who would make an immediate impact. Strong early performances by traditionally mid- and lower-table teams such as Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are making the challenge of fighting for a European football spot even more difficult this year.

Reader Arthur Nicholls says there is enough time to turn the situation around: "Unai Emery and Pep [Guardiola] have had worse runs. To say players don't buy into the system is rubbish. We all saw what happened at the Etihad Stadium. Brilliant balance of attack and defence.

"No-one can plan for players to make mistakes. [Yves] Bissouma is a serial offender and - I for one would not be disappointed if he went. Pape [Matar] Sarr is better than he showed against Chelsea.

"I've also been disappointed in [James] Maddison, who has not been at his best and needs to find his form."

Commenter Mikefunn says that there are some changes the club could make: "No way should we part company with Ange. If we win a trophy this season all will be forgiven. But I would like to see him broaden his mind-set and at least bring in a set-piece trainer.

"This won't be the solution to all our problems, but it might help us to concede less goals and score more."

Jumboface says: "You cannot sack Ange just because of the way the players are playing. It's the players who are the problem, not Ange." Sidyid200 agrees: "Absolutely not, he will get there, he knows who's making mistakes, a good January window and we'll be fine!"

But frustrations are mounting with other supporters, like commenter Narsil: "There are so many things to point to; [Destiny] Udogie, Sarr and Bissouma can't pass at a Premier League level. They also consistently do unusual things, like the two penalties we gave away, yet he picks them game after game. I don't believe he's getting anything like the best out of the players, and anyone who does think so is blinkered.

Danman1005 says: "The sooner [Daniel] Levy admits that he made a mistake and fires Ange, the better. The many injuries are a direct result of his stupid playing style as well. The Spurs will not be in the top 10 this year. Since it's a lost year anyway, bring a new coach now, so that we can start next year with a real structure and tactical flexibility from day one."

Tottenham went down 4-3 at home to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon with goals flying in at both ends - but football.london readers in our comments section have some harsh words to share with a handful of the key men in the Spurs squad.

Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski scored early on to make it 2-0, but Chelsea put four past goalkeeper Fraser Forster over the course of the London derby showdown. Son Heung-min added a third for Spurs in added time, off the back of a James Maddison pass, but it came too late.

Reacting to the loss after the game, manager Ange Postecoglou said: "Obviously, that's a painful one because we started the game really well. Not just the goals we scored, but the way we were playing. We were really in control of the game and had some really good opportunities apart from the two goals.

"Then you lose Cristian [Romero] after the second goal, which is just the way our season has gone.

"Nothing has run smoothly and they capitalised before we had settled back down to score. I still felt that, in the first half, we had the better moments to get a third goal and a couple of key ones."

Reader Bobbyspur has some choice words for captain Son Heung-min: "Terrible out of possession - zero energy, zero pressing - and out of position when he needed to help [Destiny] Udogie.

"When losing the ball he barely made it into a jog to get it back.

"Terrible in possession - multiple misplaced passes, completely missed the target with three big chances at critical times. Terrible as a captain - no leadership out there whatsoever, no wanting to get control of the game, no voice.

"I've no idea how he stayed on the pitch the full game. The meaningless consolation goal at the game glosses over what was yet another important game in he's gone completely missing when we were screaming for a leader."

Commenter Jeffc00p writes: "[Pedro] Porro and [Brennan] Johnson are an absolute disaster zone down the right hand side - a couple of half-decent crosses can't make up for their obvious defensive deficiencies. As for Sonny - yes, he got a late goal, but up until then he'd spent most of the game passing to a blue shirt or missing the goal by a mile!

"If [Marc] Cucurella hadn't slipped over twice we'd have gone down 4-1 again.

"Ange is naive, total lack of defensive responsibility, attacking football philosophy is killing us, and leading to the reckless rubbish we are seeing in our defence, both in terms of conceding from set-pieces or making poor tackles such as we saw. It was a nice dream, the first few games of last season, but it's now turned into a nightmare - sorry Ange, but your time is up!"

Marlon1 is worried about Postecoglou's project: "Chelsea were head and shoulders above us once they'd settled in the game, to a worrying degree seeing how recently [Enzo] Maresca has come in and how young their squad is.

"Ange has got to admit to himself that it's far too easy to create chances against us and address it, or he's definitely going to lose his job! I still want to believe in his project and hope that he doesn’t just talk a good game, but he has got to realise that he's not going to get players in January that'll make a massive difference.

"He's got to change his approach to games or he's not going to get the opportunity for more players in the summer. Do you want to stay in this job or not Ange?"

Reader Rangerric wants some fresh faces to be given a chance: "As I have been saying for years, Spurs haven't got ability to scout and sign capable defenders. Romero may be most overpaid and overrated centre back in football.

"Udogie and [Pape Matar] Sarr only show any talent and desire when going forward. Postecoglou's system won't work with this Swiss cheese defence. Time to give [Archie] Gray and [Lucas] Bergvall and others a chance.

Commenter Bissouma agrees: "Yeah that's true on those young talents, it's time for them to shine, because we'll keep losing with those we call our 'best players' playing."

Tottenham will be looking to jump back into the top eight of the Europa League standings when they return to European action on Thursday evening. Following a 2-2 draw with Roma last time out, Ange Postecoglou's side are on the road as they make the trip to Glasgow to face Rangers.

The game in Scotland will see the Spurs boss return to a city where he enjoyed great success after a trophy-laden two years with Celtic. Postecoglou desperately needs his team to register all three points at Ibrox as they look to transform their current fortunes after a nightmare run of results.

Rangers have struggled to keep pace with Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership this season but they do find themselves one place above Spurs in the Europa League table after five games. Both teams have identical records and are on ten points but Rangers boast the better goal difference as things stand.

Postecoglou is once again going to have limited options to choose from in terms of his Tottenham squad following some more injury woes in last Sunday's defeat to Chelsea. So who exactly could be in his starting XI at Ibrox? Our football.london Tottenham writers take a look below.

Rob Guest - Football writer

Tottenham fans will be hoping that Ange Postecoglou can deliver some positive team news ahead of the Rangers game following the latest setbacks. Even if Micky van de Ven is in a position to play after his late substitution against Chelsea, it may be wise to give him a breather and then start him at Southampton on Sunday.

That means Archie Gray starts the Rangers game at centre-back alongside Radu Dragusin, with Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie as full-backs. Postecoglou has shown a willingness to rotate in goal in Europe this term but I would stick with Fraser Forster in net rather than hand Brandon Austin his full Spurs debut.

In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur is an automatic starter as he is eligible to play in Europe as his seven-match ban only applies to domestic games. You could make a case for Yves Bissouma starting due to his suspension for Sunday's game at Southampton but James Maddison needs to start and Lucas Bergvall deserves a go from the off after some decent cameo appearances of late.

Brennan Johnson may start the game on the bench after feeling ill in the Chelsea defeat prior to his substitution, meaning Dejan Kulusevski pushes forward and operates from the right flank. Dominic Solanke continues through the middle and it is a choice between Son Heung-min or Timo Werner from the left.

Guest's team: Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Werner.

Kieran Horn - Central Audience writer

Given Ange Postecoglou does not have the luxury to rotate for two reasons, Tottenham going strong for their Europa League clash against Rangers looks likely. Injury issues and because they sit outside of the automatic qualification spots, wholesale changes being made is difficult to foresee.

The back five picks itself with Celtic supporter Archie Gray required to fill in at centre-back against the rivals of the club he supports. Though Micky van de Ven does not look set for a lengthy absence, unlike Cristian Romero, it will be better to not risk him and continue with Radu Dragusin. Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie will be the full-backs.

With Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur suspended for the weekend, both featuring in a midfield pivot is entirely possible especially considering how Spurs were exposed in midfield by Chelsea. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski will also feature as part of the front four with Son Heung-min and Dominic Solanke also in.

That allows Pape Matar Sarr and Brennan Johnson to be rested with Timo Werner, Lucas Bergvall and Will Lankshear joining them on the bench potentially ready to make an impact

Horn's team: Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son.