Ange Postecogloucoach of Tottenhamspoke at a press conference on Christmas Eve to present the championship match against Nottingham Forest, starting with the injured players: “After Liverpool, as far as I know, we didn’t have any problems. Udogie was on the bench, not at 100% , but he should be fine for the next one. Bentancur is available.”
You have shot 6 times per game on average so far, you are the best in the Premier League. Feeling a little unlucky?
“No. Over the course of a season you would like everything to settle down, but a lot of it is due to the lack of continuity in performances and in the type of team we can field. All this has damaged us, but I think the team can grow. We These are positive things.”
Are you planning purchases for January?
“Yes, we planned it. It’s fair to say that we are still a little lacking in a couple of roles and that we need to strengthen ourselves, but in January it is more difficult to get certain players to move. For us and for any club the ideal is to buy players who can make us stronger. We are in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, in the Europa League, in the FA Cup, it’s not like our commitments are decreasing and so I think it makes sense. We will have to wait and see, but we will try to strengthen ourselves.”
How important is it to get Bentancur back?
“I think it’s good, he’s worked hard in training. It will be nice to have the chance to rotate some players and make substitutions.”
Did the team react to the defeat?
“It seems to me that the players, and I can see it, still believe a lot in what we are doing. It is difficult because it is a difficult day for the fans, for the players and for all the people who work hard for the club. From my point of view given that I take responsibility for it because I am the one who is charting this path for us. Hopefully, this has a greater purpose. My ultimate responsibility is to try to bring the club to success nice to see players going out of their way to try and get it an achievement. Obviously in the situation we are in there are limits to what they can do. So yes, I feel that responsibility, but as disappointed as they are, they are still very, very determined to continue.”
Were you angry on Sunday about the questions after the knockout?
“No, I wasn’t. It was a bit like I said, ‘You just suffered a heavy defeat.’ And I said I take responsibility for it because I see the effect it has on everyone involved in the team. So it’s something that weighs heavily on you. I don’t think there are many managers who show up to interviews after a defeat and feel cheerful the same way. I think it’s like the people wanted to poke the bear to see if I react. And obviously after a defeat it’s much easier for people to get a reaction from me.”
How do you get the right players in January and maintain a balance?
“You don’t want to panic and bring in someone who you don’t think will be helpful to our cause in the second half of the year, but I think we’ve already shown ourselves to be quite methodical and prudent in our work. We’ll make sure we bring in someone who It will help us.”