Ange Postecoglou has acknowledged that injury-hit Tottenham will “play with fire” if they fail to make any more signings in the final ten days of the January transfer window.
Spurs were without 14 players for Thursday's much-needed 3-2 win over Hoffenheim in the Europa League due to a combination of injuries and fitness.
That number will drop slightly for Sunday's visit to Leicester, but Tottenham will be without Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert, Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke for the foreseeable future, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven returning will pay attention. the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool on February 6, live on Sky Sports.
Postecoglou has battled on with a limited squad over the past two months, successfully keeping Spurs in contention for a trophy in three cup competitions, but the club has dropped to 15th in the Premier League.
With Yves Bissouma, Johnson and Solanke the latest to suffer injuries in the past week, the 59-year-old admitted that reinforcements are needed, although he stressed that technical director Johan Lange is aware of the situation with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, the only arrival this month.
When asked if there was money to spend, Postecoglou replied: “I don't ask those questions. It's not something I'm involved in, it's not something I have to deal with.
“My conversations with Johan and the club were about trying to get help for the players and I will let them do their job.
“I still have to manage and prepare this team. We came back at 2am last night. I am not looking for opportunities for the club, that is not my role at the moment. There is no time.” to do it.
“I mainly have daily contact with Johan and he does everything he can to get the help we need.
“I don't think I'm saying anything other than the obvious. If I came here and said anything else it would be disingenuous. This group of players needs help, there's no doubt about that.”
“We're playing with fire a bit by not bringing anyone in, but the downside of that is that the club is trying to change that situation.”
Ajax striker Brobbey not a Spurs target
Breaking news from Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge on the Transfer Show:
“Spurs want a striker and that is the main goal.
“Spurs are in desperate need of a striker as Dominic Solanke will be out for a while and Richarlison has only just returned.
“There is talk of Spurs joining the race for Ajax striker Brian Brobbey, but I understand that is not the case.
“They are looking for a striker, but I understand that Brobbey is not that progressive.”
Ange: We are in a much better place for success
Spurs received a timely boost on Wednesday with the news that vice-captain Romero had returned to training, but Postecoglou preached patience with the World Cup winner.
Postecoglou revealed the plan for first-choice centre-backs Romero and Van de Ven to get them ready for the Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool next month, which will be followed by an FA Cup tie against Aston Villa three days later.
“In the long run, they're the only two, Micky and Romero, who have a chance at that week, but we still have like another 12 days or something like that,” Postecoglou thought.
“Part of that process is to see how they handle training over the next week or so. They're both scheduled to be available around that kind of time.”
Spurs' injury crisis has prompted Postecoglou to raise several questions about his methods and the level of intensity implemented in training, but he insists that overall the club is in a better position than when he took charge in the summer of 2023.
He added: “I think the squad we have put together now is an exciting squad and if they are all fit I think it will benefit the club, not just this year but for many years to come.”
“We have some excellent people who have joined the club in all areas, in every facet who I believe will contribute to the success of this club in the future. I firmly believe that.”
“The only evidence most people want to look at is where we are now in terms of our performance, especially in the league.
“But from my perspective, as someone who came into a club that wanted change and needed change, I have no doubt that we are in a much better place for what the club needs for success.”
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