The upcoming international break will be a welcome one for the manager to give wounded Spurs a chance to regroup
It’s remarkable how swiftly a club’s perception can shift.
Tottenham was on track to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League table and appeared well-positioned for a straightforward victory over their rivals 25 minutes into Monday’s derby against Chelsea. This would have given rise to exuberant optimism about their season.
Four days later, following Spurs’ collapse against the Blues, the atmosphere feels much more serious ahead of Saturday’s early kickoff at Wolves.
There’s no doom and gloom, and the team’s bravery and commitment with nine men only served to bolster the long-term faith of many supporters in Ange Postecoglou’s philosophy.
But for the time being, there are concerns about how Spurs will handle the negative publicity following a disorganized, contentious 4-1 loss.
With the team’s incredible start under Postecoglou, supporters had started to place hope in a season that had felt like a free-hit at first. However, the campaign now feels risky.
The injury to Micky van de Ven, who will likely be out for a long time due to a hamstring strain he suffered against Chelsea, is the most worrying.
The Dutchman became one of the most vital members of the team very quickly, and his absence will make it more difficult for Spurs to successfully implement Postecoglou’s high defensive line. Fortunately, he does not require surgery, but he will still be out for several months.
To make matters worse, Cristian Romero’s suspension will also prevent him from playing at Molineux and for two more games (against Aston Villa and Manchester City). As a result, Postecoglou will be without both of his first-choice center backs and will be short on cover.
Presenting Eric Dier, though it’s unclear with whom the England international is partnered.
The only other natural center-back in the lineup is Ashley Phillips, an 18-year-old who joined from Blackburn in the summer, but Postecoglou might feel that Emerson Royal, Ben Davies, or even Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a better choice.
Despite all of Phillips’s potential, teenagers are not often trusted at center back in the Premier League. Nevertheless, Postecoglou has already shown he is a strong supporter of youth at Spurs, starting Pape Sarr and Destiny Udogie in the starting lineup.
