Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says the club is “working hard” to make some new signings this month to help his injury-hit team keep up.
Spurs face Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime, with Postecoglou having to miss a number of players due to illness.
He is already without defenders Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and Cristian Romero, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and strikers Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore.
In addition, midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended for Saturday and left-back Destiny Udogie is out for six weeks with a thigh injury.
Postecoglou said: “It’s not about applying pressure, but the club is working hard to get some help for the group of players.” The club is working hard on that.
“January is not an easy month, it is not an easy time to onboard people particularly quickly. At the same time, we want to do the best for ourselves instead of panicking and attract people who suit us.
“Richarlison and Mikey (Moore) are the next two taxi drivers – hopefully sometime next week. Ben (Davies), (Micky) Van de Ven and (Cristian) Romero all around the same time, so the end of January.”
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Tottenham have won just three of their last 13 games and were beaten by Liverpool just before Christmas. There’s an EFL Cup semi-final against the Reds next week, but the Australian hasn’t yet figured out exactly what’s causing their injury problems.
He said: “I think it’s probably a combination of things. The number of games, the way we play.
“I guess the challenge for us is that a lot of our injuries have been re-injuries, which is something we’re paying attention to. I don’t think it’s unique to us. I think you see that in general with bullies, but we’ve had it hit much more extreme. (Guglielmo) Vicario, it’s not a muscle injury, it’s a long-term injury, but that somehow worsens the situation we’re in.”
“Tuchel will be impressed”
New England coach Thomas Tuchel will be in the stands for Saturday’s game, with striker Dominic Solanke looking to impress.
The big-money signing from Bournemouth has scored ten goals for Spurs this season and Postecoglou is confident the new coach will like what he sees.
“Dom (Solanke) played outstandingly for us,” he said.
“He scored goals, but his all-round game and his ability to help the team in all aspects of our football – defensively, in link-up play, still being present in the penalty area, very intelligent in his movements and being able to play that position to really take over.” back without help and without rest.
“It says a lot about his character and what kind of person he is. I can’t praise him enough. The load he has had to carry for us over the last two months without much help from us has allowed him to recover and yet he continues to put in a tremendous performance every week – I have no doubt that Thomas Tuchel loves him will be impressed.”
