Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou sent warning by club legend over £17m injury debacle ahead of Southampton

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has been warned to play to his players' strengths as pressure mounts on the Australian in North London following an inconsistent run of results.

Spurs sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table with seven defeats in their 15 outings so far this season and travel to the south coast to take on Southampton on Sunday evening. Postecoglou hasn't been helped by injuries, none more so than that of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

The shot-stopper, who arrived at Spurs for £17 million in June 2023, fractured his ankle in the win over Manchester City earlier this season and is facing months on the sidelines. The 28-year-old had played every minute of the top flight campaign until that injury.

Since then, former Celtic and Southampton man Fraser Forster has been deputising. Spurs are without a win or clean sheet in those league fixtures, conceding six goals in three outings.

Forster impressed in midweek action against Rangers but there has been much talk over whether the club needs to invest in a new goalkeeper come January to fill in for Vicario - something that Postecoglou has denied, backing his current squad.

Former Spurs goalkeeper Kasey Keller has given his opinion on the situation, having had spells of his career at the club needing to prove he could take the first-choice spot. Keller, who made 99 appearances for the club, has become the latest former professional to urge Postecoglou to be flexible with his system.

He told William Hill Vegas: "Neil Sullivan and I were battling out for the number one spot at Spurs and then I managed to be the number one choice. It’s hard as a goalkeeper, you have to be strong-minded, you have to be mentally strong and keep working hard. But most of all, when you take your chance, this is the key.

"To perform on the pitch is when it really matters most. Paul Robinson came in at Spurs and took the number 1 spot and I had to deal with this. Fraser Forster has to concentrate on his game and Ange has to play a way that suits Forster when it comes to playing out from the back.

"You have to play to the players' strengths you have on the pitch, to enable them to play with confidence and be at their best. Forster has a chance now and he should look to be confident as he is playing for one of the biggest teams in the country. He has to blank out any criticism and play his game. What can help is at the other end of the pitch that the team score a few goals."

Keller - Postecoglou tactics can be ‘alarming’ for goalkeepers

Keller, who works regularly as a pundit in his homeland of the United States since hanging up his boots in 2011 at Seattle Sounders, also gave his verdict on Postecoglou's gung-ho tactics and the effect on goalkeepers left exposed.

He said: "You can get kept busy that is for sure. But it does have its benefits as you look at Spurs 4-0 win over Manchester City. When it goes right, it’s brilliant. But Ange does have to adjust during matches otherwise it will be difficult for Spurs to put a good run of form together.

"The inconsistencies they are showing is a cause for some concern, because on their day Spurs have the firepower to be excellent. As a goalkeeper it can be alarming to concede so many chances, the aim is for the team to not do this, but you are there to stop the shots and be on hand to make saves.

"With injuries to some key defenders, this is tough to build up a head of steam as the centre-back pairings are so important. Full backs are also key and Porro and Udogie were excellent last season and Spurs need to get back to the form where they aren’t conceding too many chances a game."