Spurs now with ever worsening defensive crisis – Music to the ears of Alexander Isak and co. | OneFootball

Next Saturday is looking interesting, Alexander Isak and his Newcastle United teammates set to play away at Spurs.

I know we have Man U away on Monday night to come first.

However, the news coming out of Spurs is undoubtedly encouraging ahead of next weekend.

A defensive crisis that is ever worsening for Tottenham ahead of their home match against Wolves tomorrow (Sunday), before then Newcastle United six days after that…

Official Premier League site report on Tottenham defensive crisis – 27 December 2024:

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou is dealing with an injury crisis, with a number of central defenders set to miss their next match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

First-choice pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are long-term absentees after both were injured in their first match back from injury this month against Chelsea and have missed Spurs’ last four matches in all competitions.

Ben Davies has suffered a setback and is out for another couple of weeks, while Radu Dragusin was forced off in the loss at Nottingham Forest.

“It’s a bit early to tell, he tweaked his ankle and felt like he couldn’t continue, so we’ll have to wait and see,” Postecoglou said when asked about Dragusin in his pre-match press conference. “We’ll wait until he gets in [for training] today.”

When asked on his defensive options Postecoglou replied: “Not many. We are in a tough spot. We have been for a while.

“We have been kind of getting through it for quite a while now and keeping our fingers crossed we don’t get any more issues.

“It is the nature of football and the fixture scheduling we have had, which means we have always been on a fine line of trying to get through. It is another test for us, but it is what it is. Whatever we need to deal with, we will deal with and be ready for Sunday.”

Who could Spurs play at centre-back?

Spurs’ 18-year-old versatile midfielder Archie Gray has been filling in at centre-back, starting the past five matches across all competitions there.

Dragusin has been partnering Gray but if he is out, then 19-year-old Alfie Dorrington may make a full Premier League debut. He has made one appearance in the competition after being part of Spurs’ Premier League 2-winning team of 2023/24.

Midfielder Yves Bissouma ended the match against Forest at centre-back and when Postecoglou was asked whether he would start there, he replied: “I don’t know. I mean Yves has never played there so I am not sure why I would put him there.

“I had to put him there last night because I had no one else, but we’ll see. We’ll see what happens.”

Newcastle United have won their last four matches in domestic competition, whilst they have scored 19 goals in their last six games in Premier League and Carabao Cup, Alexander Isak with seven goals in these last half dozen matches.

Spurs have lost four of their last six domestic matches, the only exceptions a win at rock bottom Southampton and a chaotic 4-3 cup victory over a woeful Man U side, Tottenham doing their best to throw away a 3-0 lead. Whilst Spurs have conceded 15 goals in their last five games in the Premier League and Carabao Cup, conceding an incredible 13 goals in their last three home matches!

Obviously Newcastle United will still have to play well if they can hope to defeat Spurs next Saturday, however, the defensive issues for Tottenham are clearly a serious issue for them and their last four home Premier League matches have seen three defeats (including losing 2-1 to Ipswich) and a draw, whilst conceding 13 goals.

Former NUFC keeper Fraser Forster hasn’t exactly helped Spurs in recent matches, adding to their defensive chaos, with first choice keeper Vicario long-term injured. Richarlison is another player who is currently out for Spurs.

Newcastle United have their own injuries and suspensions to deal with but nice to see some favourable factors appearing to help NUFC in this run of away fixtures.

Fernandes and Ugarte suspended for Man U on Monday night, this Spurs defensive injury crisis ahead of next weekend, whilst Mikel Arteta has now revealed that their best and most dangerous player, Bukayo Saka, has had surgery and will miss both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Tuesday 7 January – Arsenal v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports and ITV1 and ITVX

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)