Tottenham need to get used to life without Vicario, according to Postecoglou

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou played down the chances of getting a free agent goalkeeper to replace the injured Guglielmo Vicario.

Vicario underwent surgery on a broken ankle sustained in last weekend's 4-0 win over Manchester City, although Postecoglou suggested he would be keen to play against Fraser Forster when asked about the possibility of a new face.

“No, that's not going to happen. That's why we have a selection of players. I don't think signing a free agent is going to help us now. If I hadn't mentioned Fraser [Forster] in the European team that would have been a radical decision,” Postecoglou said.

“If you are left with two and they can't play in Europe then you would look at it, but unless something else happens we have four goalkeepers.

“Young Luca [Gunter]who to be honest is injured and not ready yet, but I've known Fraser for a long time and he's such a strong character within the group and he's ready to play.

“Brandon [Austin] is getting better and better. Alfie [Whiteman] has also been at the club for a while and whatever is asked, the training capacity they bring, we are more than capable with what we have.”

When asked about Vicario's recovery after his surgery, Postecoglou explained that the Italian will not be available for the long term.

“It's not going to be weeks, it's going to be months. He's had surgery and with the surgery there are certain timelines and because it's Vic,” he said.

“I don't like to give timelines for something like this so early in the process because it puts unnecessary pressure on the player and perhaps certain expectations. I think once we get past the rehabilitation phase we will have a clearer idea. “

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟎-𝟒 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦

WOW.

Take a look back at the game's key stats here: pic.twitter.com/wIlKCstb8z

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) November 23, 2024

Fulham's Antonee Robinson, meanwhile, heads into the match full of confidence after claiming Tottenham are “unbeatable in any way.”

“We will have had a slightly longer break, we play on Saturday and don't have a midweek game, they will have a tough game [against Roma in the Europa League on Thursday]” he said.

“So going into it, new legs will hopefully play a bit of a role in our favor. If we are in good shape and play how well we can play, I think we can get along with anyone.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tottenham – Dejan Kulusevski

Kulusevski has scored two goals and provided two assists in his last seven league games for Tottenham.

He finished with an assist in Tottenham's 4-0 win over Manchester City last weekend, while he has also created more chances than any other Premier League player this season (33).

Fulham – Emile Smith Rowe

Smith Rowe has directly contributed to five Fulham goals this season, scoring three and assisting two.

His most recent goal came in the opener in Fulham's last away match, when they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 in November.

MATCH PREDICTION: TOTTENHAM WIN

Tottenham came into this match having won 4-0 against Manchester City in their last league match.

The hosts are sixth in the table with 19 points after twelve games and have won four (L2) of their six league matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season.

Tottenham have lost just one of their last fourteen home Premier League games against Fulham (W10 D3), with that 1-0 defeat in March 2013.

Despite beating Spurs 3-0 in their last Premier League meeting in March, Fulham were winless in their previous nine games (D1 L8) against them.

Marco Silva's side have won just two (D2 L2) of their six away games in the Premier League this season.

OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING

Tottenham – 54.6%

Draw – 21.7%

Southampton – 23.6%