Ange Postecoglou has given his Tottenham Hotspur players two days off as he looks to reset their season following a difficult few days. Tottenham were knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, leaving fans disheartened. However, with a week off before facing Manchester United, Postecoglou has used the break to rest his players and refocus for the remainder of the campaign.
Tottenham’s head coach has allowed his squad to take Monday and Tuesday off after their defeat to Aston Villa, giving them time to recover before returning to training on Wednesday. Postecoglou is hopeful that the time off, combined with the return of several injured players, will provide a much-needed morale boost as the team prepares for their Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday. Key players such as goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, left-back Destiny Udogie, midfielder James Maddison, and wingers Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert are expected to return to action soon.
The two days off are seen as an opportunity for the squad to reset, both physically and mentally. Postecoglou has emphasized the importance of a refreshed squad heading into the United match, with the return of some key players offering a chance to rebuild momentum. He also believes that the added rest will help improve fitness levels and lift the squad’s spirits ahead of what will be a crucial period in the season.
Tottenham now have a two-week stretch without midweek fixtures before their Europa League campaign resumes in March. With the competition being their only remaining route to silverware and Champions League qualification, the importance of the Europa League cannot be overstated for Postecoglou’s long-term future at the club. Despite recent setbacks, Tottenham’s board and chairman Daniel Levy have shown patience, offering Postecoglou time to turn things around. However, the pressure is mounting, and results will soon be expected, especially with the return of key players.
Postecoglou is confident that the extended break will allow his players to be in better shape for their European fixtures, giving them time to train and rest ahead of a more congested schedule. “The boys who are coming back, we’ll get the opportunity to give them a whole week of training, which is great,” Postecoglou explained. “By the time we get to the back end of the week we should have something resembling a squad of players to prepare for a big game.”
With important league fixtures and European matches on the horizon, Postecoglou remains focused on lifting the team’s performances and improving their league position. A victory over United on Sunday could help Tottenham move up the table and offer some respite from the pressure building on the manager. The next few weeks will be critical for both Tottenham’s season and Postecoglou’s tenure.
