Postecoglou: Van der Ven and Romero expected to return at weekend
Tottenham Hotspur will host Bournemouth in the 28th round of the EPL. Ahead of the match, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou attended a press conference and elaborated on the team’s injury situation, recent performances and upcoming matches. Here are the main points from the conference.
Player Injury Update: Van Der Veen & Romero may return to action
Asked about the team’s injury situation, Postecoglou revealed some positive news, particularly regarding the recovery progress of Vanderfin and Romero.
“Yes, they have a chance (to play against Bournemouth on Sunday),” Postecoglou said. “We didn’t play them against Alkmaar yesterday mainly because of the conditions of the pitch. Not only is that pitch unstable, but it’s also risky. Under those circumstances, I didn’t think it was necessary to risk putting players on the field for workouts.”
He added: “If they are given a few more days to train and recover, I hope they will all be ready for the weekend.” The news certainly brings hope to Tottenham fans, especially with the stability of the defense under scrutiny.
Additionally, Postecoglou mentioned the situation with Solanke and other injured players. “Solanke has some pain in his knee but it should only be a slight knock and hopefully he will return soon. Ben Davis is currently practicing and his recovery is going well, the next 24 to 48 hours will determine if he will be able to participate in the game.”
Reflections on the Alkmaar loss: collective performance fell short of expectations
Speaking about Tottenham’s 0-1 defeat away to Alkmaar, Postecoglou admitted that the team’s performance was far from the expected level.
“I’ve already said after the game that our performance was well below the standard we needed. Both the players and myself are disappointed with the result. But it’s not the end of the world – the game is not over yet. After playing this round of the league, we will focus on the second round, which is the priority at the moment.”
When asked if more leadership was needed to improve the team’s performance, Postecoglou emphasized that the problem was not at the individual level, but rather a lack of collaboration across the team.
“The problem last night was not the performance of one player. As a team, our overall performance was far from what it should be. Away games in Europe are always challenging and the home atmosphere in Alkmaar made it even tougher. However, as I said, it’s not about individuals, but about what the whole team needs to reflect on and improve.”
Vicario incident: passion not confrontation
During the conference, a reporter mentioned the incident where goalkeeper Vicario asked for support after the match but angered the Tottenham fans who were traveling with the team. In response, Postecoglou defended the player, saying that his actions stemmed from his passion for the club.
“Vicario is passionate about this soccer club and has a great commitment to what we are doing. He’s hungry to win and wants everyone to work for it. If you think there is a dark or vindictive side to Vicario’s character, it means you don’t know him.”
Postecoglou continued, “I can tell you that he is one of the purest people I have ever met. Whatever he does, it’s for the good of the team and the club because he really cares about what’s going on here.”
Analysis of the reasons for the fluctuations in recent performances
Commenting on the team’s form in recent games, Postecoglou acknowledged that there have been real ups and downs in the team’s performance, but noted that this inconsistency has been a key factor in holding the team back on a number of occasions.
“If we exclude the 4-1 win over Ipswich and the second half performance against Manchester City, it’s fair to say we’ve certainly had some bright spots. But when we are inconsistent, people tend to latch on to those worst moments as a reference.”
He further explained, “Look at last night’s game, we were nowhere near the level we need to be at. We’ve been in similar situations many times this year and that inconsistency has cost us dearly. We have to find a way to correct that.”
Bournemouth: an opponent not to be underestimated
Postecoglou has high praise for Bournemouth, who he will face soon. “They are really good, not only this season but last year as well. Ilaura have a very unique tactical style and they are extremely positive with and without the ball. They have some great players who are growing.”
He emphasized, “If we want to get the desired result, we have to play a quality game. That is a very clear objective.”
Improving the team’s lower limit: Stability and adaptability go hand in hand
In response to the large gap between the team’s top and bottom line, Postecoglou said it’s not just as simple as improving the minimum performance, but rather increasing the team’s consistency and ability to cope with different challenges.
“What we need is consistency and performance. It’s not just about raising our floor, it’s about understanding the different challenges that come with each game and making sure we’re prepared for that.”
He admitted: “Part of the reason for our inconsistent performances is the lack of a consistent line-up. But at the same time, I still feel that the result of the last game reflects our level as a team to some extent. We need to accept the challenges that come with different matches and understand that there are multiple ways to solve the problems, or at least make sure that our base performance is higher than it is now.”
Transparency and Execution of the Game Plan
When asked if the team was skeptical of the game plan, Postecoglou vehemently denied the claim. “They definitely don’t lack clarity. If anything, I think people would say that our game plan is too transparent. But it does take conviction to play this kind of soccer all the time.”
He added: “You need a really strong mentality because soccer is challenging and doesn’t allow you to veer off course. That means you have to stay on your course and that’s the only way it works.”
Postecoglou concluded, “All those who have followed us over the past 20 months have been convinced of our philosophy. We are determined to stay on this path and I believe this is the way to bring success to the club. And every challenge along the way will try to divert you from that path, and that’s when you have to show the determination and perseverance to stay the course.”
CONCLUSION: Rising to the Challenge, Pursuing Progress
It is clear from Postecoglou’s statement that he is confident in the future of the team, while also clearly recognizing the current problems. With the potential comeback of van der Ven and Romero, and the team gradually adjusting their form, Spurs are expected to show a better level of athleticism against Bournemouth. However, how to solve the persistent problem of inconsistent performance is still a major issue in front of Postecoglou.
