Alious
As the Premier League action resumes following the international break, Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up for a crucial home fixture against West Ham United on Saturday. The match comes at a pivotal time for Spurs, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-2 defeat away at Brighton and Hove Albion in their last outing. Currently sitting in ninth place in the Premier League table, Ange Postecoglou’s side is eager to climb back up the rankings and reassert themselves as contenders in the top-flight.
The international break has brought both challenges and opportunities for Tottenham, particularly in terms of player fitness and availability. As the team prepares for the London derby against West Ham, all eyes are on the injury list and potential return dates for key players.
One of the most encouraging developments for Spurs fans is the potential return of two offensive powerhouses: Son Heung-min and Richarlison. Both players have recently resumed training with the squad, which bodes well for their availability against West Ham. Postecoglou expressed cautious optimism about their fitness, stating, “Sonny and Richy have done some good work and trained with the group, which is a real positive for us. Sonny was always, hopefully, going to get through this international break really well and be ready, and Richy’s done some good work, so hopefully both will be available for the weekend.”
Son’s return would be particularly significant for Tottenham. The South Korean captain has been sidelined since late September when he was forced off during a Europa League match against Qarabag. Despite his limited appearances this season, Son has already contributed two goals and two assists, underlining his importance to the team’s attacking prowess.
Richarlison’s potential comeback is equally noteworthy. The Brazilian forward hasn’t featured for Spurs since their league encounter with his former club Everton in August, where he sustained a knee injury. His return could provide Postecoglou with additional tactical options in the forward line.
While the news surrounding Son and Richarlison is positive, the situation with summer signing Wilson Odobert is less clear-cut. The young attacker, who joined Spurs from Burnley in the last transfer window, is currently nursing a hamstring injury. The West Ham fixture is likely to come too soon for Odobert, with Postecoglou suggesting that next week’s Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar might be a more realistic target for his return. “Really (who is out of action), it’s only Wilson, who has done some good work in the last couple of weeks, and hopefully joins the main group at some point next week,” the manager explained.
Another player whose status remains uncertain is Lucas Bergvall. The youngster has returned from international duty with a minor niggle, and his condition will need to be assessed closer to match day. Postecoglou addressed this, saying, “The international guys, just about all of them got through okay. We’re still waiting for a couple to come back into the building. Lucas was the only one who had a slight niggle but again we’re hoping he’ll be okay.”
As Tottenham prepare for this crucial fixture, the memories of their last outing against Brighton still linger. Reflecting on that disappointing performance, Postecoglou didn’t mince words: “It was disappointing and I’m absolutely gutted with that. It’s an unacceptable second half — we were nowhere near where we should be. Maybe we got carried away with how we were going.”
The manager’s frank assessment continued, “We kind of accepted our fate and it’s hard to understand as we’ve not done that while I’ve been here. We usually fight for everything, and when you don’t you pay a price. Maybe things were travelling on too smoothly. Football and life will trip you up if you get too far ahead of yourself and that’s what it looked like in the second half.”
These words from Postecoglou suggest that the team has done some soul-searching during the international break. The potential return of key players like Son and Richarlison could provide the spark needed to reignite Tottenham’s form. However, the manager’s comments also indicate a desire to see a renewed fighting spirit and focus from his squad, regardless of who takes the field.
As Spurs prepare to welcome West Ham to their home turf, the coming days will be crucial in determining the final lineup and tactical approach. The medical staff will be working overtime to assess the fitness of returning players, while Postecoglou and his coaching team will be fine-tuning their strategy to ensure there’s no repeat of the lapses seen in the Brighton game.
For Tottenham fans, the West Ham match represents more than just another London derby. It’s an opportunity for the team to reset, to demonstrate their resilience, and to prove that they have the mental fortitude to compete at the highest level consistently. With the potential return of key players and a renewed sense of purpose, Spurs will be hoping to deliver a performance that not only secures three points but also sets the tone for the challenging fixtures that lie ahead in both domestic and European competitions.
Alious
