Postecoglou says Spurs performing well given extensive injury list

LONDON : Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou said Spurs' rearguard action in a 2-0 win at Brentford on Sunday was simply because injuries have left him with a threadbare squad, rather than a sudden outburst of pragmatism.

The Australian coach has been battling an injury crisis, which has forced him to play 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray at centre back, with Micky van de Ven rested after playing 45 minutes on his return in the Europa League in midweek.

Spurs' European campaign – which continues after Thursday's victory over Elfsborg confirmed their last-16 place – has given Postecoglou's remaining fit players little chance for recovery as their league form has slumped.

But Spurs are still fighting for silverware on three fronts, the metric by which they will ultimately measure this season and which may keep Postecoglou in his job.

Postecoglou has repeatedly cited his squad's mounting injury list in the face of poor results, growing increasingly exasperated at reporters' questions about Spurs' performances.

And he let out a rueful laugh when asked if his side's defensive resilience and low block against Brentford late on were a tactical shift away from his usual attacking "Angeball".

"How do I say this without sort of repeating myself and not sounding like an excuse? It's very difficult for a group of players to play Thursday and Sunday and maintain energy and levels," Postecoglou told reporters.

"What they're doing is giving maximum effort and maximum effort in a game like today means that you can't be sharp and really dynamic with and without the ball, it's just impossible.

"They're human beings and not robots. People want to dismiss it, they want to talk about excuses, but that's the reality, I know the reality.

"These