Ange Postecoglou says Cristian Romero must adapt to avoid further red cards, acknowledging the Tottenham defender was fortunate to avoid being dismissed for a “clumsy” challenge on Callum Wilson last Sunday.
Having been sent off against Chelsea in early November, Romero returned from a three-match ban for Spurs’ surprise 2-1 defeat to West Ham last Thursday.
He was then widely considered fortunate to avoid another dismissal as Tottenham returned to winning ways with a 4-1 rout of Newcastle United on Sunday, having caught the back of Wilson’s foot with a reckless lunge.
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Commentating on the game for Sky Sports, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville described Romero as “absolutely mad” for making the challenge.
Romero has received three red cards this calendar year – two in the Premier League and one against Milan in the UEFA Champions League in March – and his latest mistimed tackle did not impress Postecoglou.
“To a certain extent, it’s fair to say the spotlight will be on him for the rest of the season,” Postecoglou said on Thursday, as he previewed Friday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.
“I thought it was as clumsy as anything else. He knows that. It’s not something that needs long chats.
“He understands that he needs to make the adjustments in his game. We much prefer to have him out there.”
Spurs welcomed Pape Sarr and Richarlison back from injury last week, though James Maddison and Micky van de Ven still headline a significant list of absentees for Postecoglou’s team.
Ange provides us with a team news update ahead of #NFOTOT ????️ pic.twitter.com/6EkHAg2YJ3
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 14, 2023
They will also be without midfielder Giovani Lo Celso for Friday’s trip to the City Ground, though the former Celtic boss has been assured he won’t be out for long.
“We’ve still got quite a significant list of absentees, we’ve got eight on the injured table,” he said.
“Unfortunately, Giovani Lo Celso will join them this week. Hopefully it’s nothing too bad. In terms of the guys from last week, we’re one more down, but the rest of the guys are okay.”
Quizzed specifically on the recoveries of Maddison and Van de Ven, Postecoglou said: “They’re going okay.
“They’re going through their rehab with [Rodrigo] Bentancur and [Manor] Solomon and all these other guys. They’re cracking on with it but are still a fair way away.”
