Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou admitted his injury-ravaged side “need help” in January form. TRANSFERS and warned that not making off-field additions would be “playing with fire”.
Spurs have endured a testing campaign. While they remain well placed in three different cup competitions, the north London outfit have lost 12 out of 22 Premier League games this season – as many defeats in the top flight as they suffered all last season.
Persistent injuriesespecially for the crucial centre-back duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, have forced several players to line up in unfamiliar positions while playing the typical style of football Postecoglou demands. Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky joined him from Slavia Prague earlier this month, but Postecoglou has publicly called for more arrivals.
“This group of players need help, there's no doubt about that,” the Australian coach told reporters ahead of his side's league meeting with Leicester City on Sunday. “We are playing with fire by not bringing anyone, but the other side of that is that the club is trying to change that situation.”
Postecoglou insists he has no direct involvement in the club's transfer deals but has regular dialogue with TottenhamTechnical director of Johan Lange.
“My discussions with Johan and the club have been about trying to get help for the players and I'll let them do their job,” explained the 59-year-old. “I have daily communication with Johan in particular and he is doing everything he can to get us the help we need.
“I don't think I'm saying anything other than the obvious and to come here and say anything else would be disingenuous.”
Tottenham finished PostecoglouDebut season at the top in fifth place, above the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester United and West Ham. All those teams are currently above Spurs at league table.
Postecoglou had a simple explanation for the heavy slump. “It's just injuries,” he shrugged. “I mean you can walk outside and go, 'Jeez it's really bright,' and tell yourself maybe it's not the sun. But it's the sun, man, we just got hurt.”
Only two clubs in world football – Saudi giants Al Hilal and infamous Paris Saint-Germain – have recorded a higher net spend than Spurs since Postecoglou took over in the summer of 2023. However, the beleaguered boss, whose position is not in danger still, he is convinced that more arrivals are needed.