- Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham side has been hit hard by injuries this season
- The Spurs manager insisted he needs a deeper group of players for his style
- Watch out Liverpool and Arsenal! Man City are ready to do what they always do and hit top gear at this stage of the season – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off
Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham’s squad is ‘nowhere near’ strong enough to keep playing their all-action style but the Australian warned ‘nothing magical’ will happen in the January transfer window.
The Spurs boss insisted he needs a deeper group of players than his Premier League rivals because of their high-octane approach – despite no other top-flight side playing fewer games this season.
A depleted Tottenham – missing nine players through injury or suspension – were thumped 4-2 by Brighton on Thursday.
Their availability crisis is set to get worse with captain Son Heung-min, Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr off to the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations after the game against Bournemouth on Sunday.
Postecoglou is desperate to sign a centre back when the window opens next week – there is interest in Liverpool defender Joe Gomez – having fielded a four-man defensive line against Brighton made up entirely of full backs. However, he is already tempering expectation.
Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham’s squad is ‘nowhere near’ strong enough right now
![A depleted Tottenham were thumped 4-2 by Brighton in the Premier League on Thursday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/29/13/79435421-12909775-image-a-3_1703856671747.jpg)
A depleted Tottenham were thumped 4-2 by Brighton in the Premier League on Thursday night
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‘Nothing magical is going to happen in the January window,’ said Postecoglou. ‘What we need to do is just keep building.
‘We’ve had one window with this team to change it around, to do things differently.
‘The fact that we’re in the position we are is a credit to the players.
‘We’ll see what we can do in January but ultimately it’s about building a side that will get us to where we want.’
Postecoglou added: ‘Obviously there’s stuff happening but I’ve been focused on the game. I’m sure we’ll hear something next couple of days.’
![Spurs have been hit hard by injuries this season and they'll lose Son Heung-min to the Asia Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/29/13/79435591-12909775-image-a-14_1703857076058.jpg)
Spurs have been hit hard by injuries this season and they’ll lose Son Heung-min to the Asia Cup
The Spurs head coach bemoaned the club’s injury crisis for their lethargic performance at the Amex Stadium and believes ‘Ange Ball’ is more draining than other styles of play, even if Spurs have only played 20 games this season compared to top-four rivals Newcastle, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Man City who have played at least eight games more.
‘The way we play takes a fairly hefty physical toll, more than the way other clubs play,’ said Postecoglou.
‘For us to sustain and maintain that and be a team, it’s no secret we need a strong squad.
‘We’re nowhere near that at the moment, understandably so, obviously we’ve only had one window. It was never going to happen. We’re still at the beginnings.’
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