Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham side look like they are only going to get stronger between now and May with a host of players to return to action
Ange Postecoglou revealed that he “couldn’t be prouder” of his Tottenham team after they delivered an outstanding display at Manchester United on Sunday despite missing a host of key players. Without Son Heung-min, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr due to their international commitments, the head coach also had stars such as James Maddison, Ben Davies and Giovani Lo Celso absent through injury, with illness keeping Dejan Kulusevski out.
Tottenham’s lack of numbers could be seen from the fact that Postecoglou could only name eight players on his bench at Old Trafford, with two of those goalkeepers Brandon Austin and Fraser Forster. At a time when Spurs’ results could go in completely the other direction given their current predicament, they delivered an exceptional performance in Manchester and perhaps should have won the game rather than drawing 2-2 after dominating proceedings.
“I thought it was an outstanding performance considering the challenges we had in putting a team out there today,” said Postecoglou in his post-match press conference. “It’s a difficult place to come and play, obviously a big game for United as well. A win today would have given them some momentum.
“We went a goal down pretty early and this group of players just every time we’ve had to deal with adversity have just done it in an outstanding manner. I couldn’t be prouder of them.
“It was an outstanding effort and I thought some of our football was fantastic. I thought we were unlucky not to win the game. Irrespective of that, the performance and the effort the boys put in was first rate.”
Admitting ahead of the game that Tottenham are very much in the title race given their lofty position, Spurs are now five points off league leaders Liverpool having played one game more. Having a clear schedule in the second half of the season compared to Liverpool, Man City, Aston Villa and Arsenal above them due to not having European commitments, Tottenham may potentially spring a major shock in what remains of the campaign if they keep going from strength to strength under Postecoglou.
As well as they played at Old Trafford on Sunday evening, Tottenham are only going to go up another level or two in their final 17 games once their absent players start to return. Sunday’s 2-2 draw was the first time that Postecoglou could name his first-choice defence since the beginning of November after Micky van de Ven finally made his comeback from a hamstring injury.
The game also saw Cristian Romero make his return from a recent hamstring strain, with the World Cup winner back on the pitch ahead of schedule. On the subject of players who are back ahead of schedule, Rodrigo Bentancur initially looked to be absent until the middle of February due to ankle ligament damage but he made a miraculous recovery and started in Tottenham’s final game of 2023 against Bournemouth.
Rusty in his first two appearances following his comeback but excellent at Old Trafford, Postecoglou revealed after the game that the Uruguayan is “nowhere near the fitness levels or the level he wants to be” but he will be a “fantastic asset” once he gets there. That only bodes well for Tottenham going forward.
Spurs’ midfield will only get stronger in the weeks ahead as Maddison closes in on his return from an ankle injury, while Sarr and Bissouma’s returns will all depend on how exactly Senegal and Mali fare respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations. The same goes for Son Heung-min and South Korea at the Asian Cup.
Come the middle of February, Tottenham could potentially be in a healthy position in regards to returning players and that will leave them in a very good place to attack the remainder of the season providing of course that their current form in the Premier League continues. Speaking after Tottenham’s 2-2 draw at Manchester United, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville claimed that the Lilywhites could even finish above Arsenal and Liverpool this season.
“If they keep their players fit, they are a certainty to finish in the top four and I think they can get to second and third,” said Neville. “With those players back, and if they can get through these next few weeks, I genuinely think they can be better than Arsenal and Liverpool this season.
“It might end up being a good draw in the FA Cup against Manchester City. Go out of that and concentrate completely on the league. But they do need to win a trophy.
“If he wins a trophy, great, but we know in the past when teams have had a really explosive season, they’re not usually in Europe or competitions. For Ange Postecoglou to get to second or third, which they could do if they have a clean run at it, would be something special.”
The end of the 2023/24 season could indeed be something special for Tottenham if they continue to progress at their current rate under Postecoglou. The return of Maddison, Sarr, Bissouma, Kulusevski and Son will only elevate them to even greater heights and no team will want to come up against them between now and May.
Whatever happens come the end of the 2023/24 campaign, Tottenham appear to have a very bright future ahead of them with Postecoglou at the helm.
