Postecoglou eyes Spurs reinforcement

AFP | London

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Ange Postecoglou expects Tottenham Hotspur to bolster their squad during the January transfer window. Spurs have been hit by injuries and suspensions during the past month, with Postecoglou refusing to rein in his attacking approach as the London club have dropped down the Premier League table during a run of inconsistent results.

A thrilling 4-3 win over Manchester United in the League Cup quarter-finals last week was followed by an embarrassing 6-3 loss at home to Liverpool in the league on Sunday. But ahead of Thursday’s Boxing Day match at Nottingham Forest, Spurs manager Postecoglou said he was aiming to bring in new recruits next month.

“Like I said a while ago, we’ve been planning,” he told a prematch press conference.

“A lot of it was going to be around where we’re at around this time. Fair to say we’re still a little bit short in a couple of areas and we need to reinforce.”

‘Prudent’

The 59-year-old Australian added: “I think the fact that, obviously, we’re still in the Carabao (League) Cup semi-final, still got Europe, FA Cup, we’re in all the competitions, it’s not like our schedule’s going to ease up at any stage.

“So, I think it makes sense. We will try and reinforce. Where and what number we’ll have to wait and see.

“You don’t just want to panic and bring in anybody that you don’t think will help our cause in the back half of the year, but I think we’ve already shown we are pretty methodical and prudent about our work.”

Tottenham have lost three of their last five Premier League matches and lie 11th in the table heading into Christmas.

However, they have also been coping with cup commitments and a lengthy injury list that includes Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.

Postecoglou had sympathy for the players picking up the slack in their absence as they try to implement his aggressive style. “I can’t be critical of this group of players at the moment in any sense,” he said.

“I think it would be unfair for anyone to because what they’re doing is they’re giving absolute maximum effort.

“That’s backed up by the physical parameters you put against what they’re doing. They’re trying to do it in the way that I’m asking them to. “So how can I be critical of that? I think that would be hypocritical of me. The players are doing their part.

“They’re doing it to the maximum of their ability and it’s a credit to them.”

Postecoglou, meanwhile, was preparing for another solitary Christmas Day, something the former Celtic boss has become used to during his football career.

“It’s a family tradition mate that I’m on my own,” he said. “The family is in a warmer climate in Australia.

“We have a couple of young boys, so it’s important they are around family at this time. I will give them a call in the morning and then get on about my day.”