- Postecoglou urged the Spurs board to be active in the transfer market
- Their struggling squad is facing a deep injury crisis, with 12 players currently sidelined.
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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou believes the club is “playing with fire” if it does not sign any players during the January transfer window.
The Spurs' injury list is increasing week by week, but there does not appear to be any signing in sight.
Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke top the list of key players missing for a crucial part of the season. Timo Werner and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will also not be available.
Midfielder Pape Sarr is the latest to suffer an injury and defender Cristian Romero will remain on the sidelines for tomorrow's home game against Leicester, despite having returned to training.
Asked if Spurs had money to spend, Postecoglou said: “Don't ask those questions, it's not something I'm involved in. My conversations with Johan (Lange, technical director) and the club have been about trying to get something of money.” help for the players and then I'll let them do their job.
“There's not a lot more depth I can give him because, in the context of that, I still have to manage this team and prepare this team.”
Ange Postecoglou warned that Spurs are “playing with fire” if they don't sign anyone in January
Postecoglou's team has 12 players absent from the Premier League, including Dominic Solanke
Spurs have endured a poor run of form in the league, with just one win in their last 10
Spurs earned a morale-boosting Europa League victory at Hoffenheim on Thursday to put them on course for a place in the last 16, before returning to their training ground in north London. “We returned at two in the morning,” Postecoglou explained, before explaining the transfer structure in which he works.
“I'm not out there trying to find opportunities for the club. That's not my role at the moment. There's no time to do it. But I have daily communication with Johan and he is doing everything he can to get the help we need.
“I don't think I'm stating anything more than the obvious and to come here and say anything else would be disingenuous.” This gaming group needs help, there's no doubt about it.
“We are playing with fire by not bringing anyone in, but the other side is that the club is doing everything in its power to try to change that situation.”
Spurs' victories over Hoffenheim, Tamworth, Liverpool and Manchester United in the cups have masked a dismal run of form in the Premier League. They have won just once in 10 league games since beating Manchester City 4-0 in November, losing seven and falling to 15th place.
Despite his growing injury list, Postecoglou remains optimistic for the remainder of the Spurs' season.
“We need to get results in the league because where we are is unacceptable,” he added.
“But there is still a lot to play for. It's exciting and I think all the fans feel it too. “They want us to get through this period so we can face that exciting part of the season in the best possible shape.”