Tottenham launch review of medical department after ‘worst ever’ injury crisis | OneFootball

Ange Postecoglou frustrated over Spurs injury pile-up that is threatening to further derail their season

Tottenham are undertaking a second review of their medical department in less than a year following an injury pile-up which is threatening to further derail their season.

Spurs undertook a thorough review of their medical department and methods over the summer following an injury-hit maiden season under Postecoglou, and made a series of changes in personnel and best practice.

Head of medicine and sports science Geoff Scott left the club, with Adam Brett joining from Brighton as director of performance services and Nick Davies, formerly of Wales and West Ham, recruited as their new head of sports science.

Micky van de Ven returned for Sunday's 4-3 defeat to Chelsea but suffered a new hamstring injury during the match

Action Images via Reuters

Romero and Van de Ven both returned to the XI for Sunday's 4-3 defeat to Chelsea after injury lay-offs but suffered new injuries during the match.

Romero had been sidelined for nearly a month with a toe complaint and pulled up after 14 minutes with a quad injury, while Van de Ven suffered another injury to the hamstring which had kept him out for the previous five weeks.

Wilson Odobert injured his hamstring in the Carabao Cup tie against Coventry in September before suffering a major setback on his return, which required surgery in November.

Richarlison pulled his hamstring injury in September, shortly after returning to action following seven weeks out with an unspecified problem.

Postecoglou has been left deeply frustrated by the number of players breaking down upon returning to action, and has ordered a fresh look at the club's methods.

“I never think it's just bad luck,” he said ahead of Thursday's Europa League tie against Rangers in Glasgow.

Cristian Romero was also forced off against Chelsea, leaving Spurs with an defensive injury crisis

Reuters

“Some of it is. I've never lost a goalkeeper for this period of time [before]. But some of it is recurring, particularly this year in terms of guys coming back and re-injuring. It's something we're looking at.

“We're always trying to explore whether we can do things better. Last year was different to this year.

“Last year it hit us across the board. This year it's more guys that are coming back who are affected. Knock on wood, we've got a core group who are playing a lot and are getting through it ok. But it is something we are trying to address.”

Postecoglou has previously acknowledged that his players tend to suffer from muscle injuries in his first season at a club, as they adjust to his high-intensity approach, but has said he expects the problems to ease as they get used to his methods.

“There’s no doubt that the change in the training regime has an impact,” he said back in March, following a spate of injuries last winter.

“It’s happened before to me when I’ve come into clubs that the first year there’s always a little bit of an uptick in injuries.

“A lot of the injuries are just the way we train and play. It’s players, sports science staff and the medical team understanding that and making adjustments. In my experience, I see that the players’ bodies adjust and they become more resilient to it. There’s also a science to it that helps us along in that way.”

Postecoglou will also be without Guglielmo Vicario (foot) and Mikey Moore (illness) against Rangers, while Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon are ineligible.