‘Logical’ that fatigued Tottenham Hotspur are faltering, says Ange Postecoglou
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou consoling Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski after the Dec 26 match against Nottingham Forest.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou blamed an injury crisis for his side’s poor form after a 1-0 English Premier League loss at Nottingham Forest on Dec 26.
Spurs sit 11th in the standings after their ninth defeat in 18 games this season.
Postecoglou’s men have fared better in other competitions, as they have progressed to the League Cup semi-finals and are well on course to reach the Europa League knockout stage.
But those extra fixtures are putting a strain on a Spurs squad missing first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and defenders Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies, as well as attackers Richarlison and Wilson Odobert.
“We are asking a lot of this group of players, a lot of these guys are playing every three days,” said Postecoglou.
“It’s only logical they are not going to be at their sharpest, but they are trying.
“A disappointing goal we conceded, but aside from that, the boys worked hard and we tried to generate as many opportunities as we could, considering the context of the game and how Forest play. We just couldn’t get over the line.”
Looking ahead, Postecoglou’s defensive options for the Dec 29 clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers were further depleted when Djed Spence was sent off in stoppage time.
And the club’s only fit natural centre-back Radu Dragusin limped off late in the game.
“He (Dragusin) was a bit sore,” added Postecoglou. “He hurt his ankle and said he couldn’t continue, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
Anthony Elanga’s first-half goal was enough to lift Forest into a remarkable third place under former Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo. However, fourth-placed Arsenal could leapfrog into second or third, should they beat or draw with Ipswich Town on Dec 27, and Forest would be back in fourth.
The Gunners’ match kicked off after press time.
Tottenham enjoyed over 70 per cent possession but failed to make it count at the City Ground, as Elanga completed a superb Forest counter-attack in the 28th minute to settle the contest.
When Spurs lost possession on the edge of the Forest area, the ball was played to Morgan Gibbs-White, who split the visiting defence with a superb pass and Elanga beat goalkeeper Fraser Forster with a deft finish.
It was enough for Forest to win a fourth successive top-flight game for the first time since 1995 and was especially sweet for Espirito Santo, who was sacked by Spurs in 2021.
“It’s beautiful for us to go out in the city and enjoy this moment,” he said. “We believe we can compete, as long as everybody understands every player in the squad is huge for us.” AFP, REUTERS
