Next stage of Tottenham transfer blueprint clear for Ange Postecoglou after Coventry example

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Tottenham will be hoping that things go a lot smoother for them from the fourth round of the Carabao Cup onwards after almost suffering an embarrassing exit at Coventry City. A huge game for the team at the CBS Arena after such a poor start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, Ange Postecoglou's men were minutes away from more woe in the competition after crashing out at the first time of asking 13 months ago.

Making nine changes to his team at Fulham in August 2023, this time the 59-year-old made a total of eight for their trip to the West Midlands. A balancing act for the head coach with him keen to avoid a shock defeat but also ensure that those on the periphery of the first XI got some much-needed minutes in the tank, all eyes were always going to be on his selection.

His first decision was to drop Guglielmo Vicario to the bench and give Fraser Forster his first Tottenham start since their Carabao Cup game at Craven Cottage last season. It was actually the 36-year-old's first Spurs appearance since that evening in west London after failing to take to the pitch for the Lilywhites during pre-season.

Fracturing his foot back in February, the experienced shot-stopper had only just returned to the Tottenham squad for the 4-0 win over Everton one month ago after missing out on the opening weekend of the season at Leicester City. Forster very much looked like a player who had not played in some time, with the ex-Celtic man handing Jack Rudoni a chance on goal inside the first 50 seconds.

Looking to pick out Spurs teammate Lucas Bergvall on the edge of the box with a simple pass, Forster's attempt was wayward and the Swede could only get a foot to the ball as it fell kindly to Rudoni. The ex-Huddersfield Town man saw an opening on goal but Forster was able to stop his low effort finding the bottom corner.

The next time the goalkeeper was really called into action was at the beginning of the second half as Belgian forward Norman Bassette attempted to find a way past him from a tight angle. Coventry had benefited from Rudoni dispossessing Timo Werner of the ball after dallying on it but Forster saved well low down after the attacker was picked out.

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Amid that early scare from Forster, Tottenham's No.20 was about to do likewise again 10 minutes into the second half after spilling a routine corner that appeared to be a simple take for him. Worse was to come moments later after coming out of his goal following a long clearance from counterpart Ben Wilson, only to collide with teammate Radu Dragusin on the edge of the area as they got their wires crossed.

The mix-up presented Haji Wright with a glorious chance to score but Spurs had Ben Davies to thank as he somehow blocked the ball just as the United States international looked set to tap home into an empty net. There was very little Forster could do when Coventry did finally score through Brandon Thomas-Asante as the hosts benefitted from some gaping holes in the Tottenham defence.

Thankfully for Forster, Postecoglou and the rest of the Spurs team, late goals from Djed Spence and Dejan Kulusevski did turn the game on its head as the north London club looked certainties for an early exit after what they had served up prior to their late rally. Postecoglou's team selection in round four will once again be a big talking point and it remains to be seen if Forster will get the nod for that tie or if Vicario will return between the sticks.

The veteran delivered a really shaky performance at the CBS Arena, which is perhaps understandable given it was his first appearance in 13 months, and it very much highlighted that Tottenham need to strengthen between the sticks in either of the next two transfer windows. Set to turn 37 in March, Spurs must plan for the years ahead in goal, as they have been doing all across other areas of the pitch since Postecoglou's arrival, and ensure that they can bring in a new goalkeeper who can provide cover for Vicario and also push him for his place in the team.

Fellow deputy goalkeepers Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman may have age on their side but they crucially lack the first-team experience they require with limited senior appearances between them. Due to the football Spurs play and with Postecoglou wanting his goalkeeper to be good with his feet so he can play out from the back, Forster unfortunately isn't that profile of goalkeeper and doesn't possess the characteristics that clubs now look for in modern goalkeepers.

As part of the next stage of Tottenham's blueprint for the future, a new goalkeeper needs to be high up on the club's list of transfer priorities.

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