Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is facing a potential suspension crisis as several key players are at risk of accumulating yellow cards, which could lead to them missing crucial matches. Postecoglou has already expressed his frustration at losing players to injury and suspension, particularly with Rodrigo Bentancur serving a seven-match ban and Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison missing the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool due to suspension.
The Premier League has a system where players who receive five yellow cards within their team’s first 19 league games are given a one-match ban. This is a significant concern for Tottenham as they approach this crucial cut-off point. Yves Bissouma recently served a one-match ban after accumulating five yellow cards
Tottenham’s 17th Premier League game is against Liverpool, followed by matches against Nottingham Forest and Wolves. The Wolves game marks the halfway point of the league season for Tottenham, and crucially, the yellow card count resets after this game. Any player who receives five yellow cards after the Wolves match will not face a one-match ban. Instead, they will be suspended for two matches if they receive ten yellow cards within their first 32 Premier League appearances.
Currently, Rodrigo Bentancur is the Tottenham player most at risk of a one-match ban, as he has already received four yellow cards. However, his seven-match ban will conclude after the Liverpool game, making him available for the Boxing Day fixture against Nottingham Forest. To avoid another suspension, Bentancur must avoid receiving yellow cards in the matches against Forest and Wolves. A yellow card in either of those games would result in him missing the subsequent league match.
Micky van de Ven is also on four yellow cards, but his current injury is likely to prevent him from accumulating any further bookings before the cut-off point. Postecoglou has stated that Van de Ven and Cristian Romero will not return to action until the new year, while Ben Davies is expected to return to full training soon, potentially featuring in upcoming matches.
Four other Tottenham players – Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Pape Matar Sarr – have accumulated three yellow cards each. While they are also at risk of suspension, they would need to receive yellow cards in two of their next three games to trigger a one-match ban.
Postecoglou’s concern about potential suspensions is understandable, given the team’s current injury crisis. He has emphasized his desire to avoid losing any more players in the coming weeks.
The upcoming matches are crucial for Tottenham, and the potential absence of key players due to suspension would be a significant blow. The coaching staff will undoubtedly be instructing the players to be cautious and avoid unnecessary bookings in the upcoming fixtures to prevent further disruptions to the squad. The information regarding the yellow card accumulation and reset provides valuable context for Tottenham’s upcoming matches. It highlights the importance of discipline and avoiding unnecessary fouls to ensure that key players remain available for selection. The potential return of Davies in the near future offers some positive news amidst the injury concerns.
The focus remains on navigating the upcoming fixtures without further losses due to suspension, particularly with the important match against Liverpool and the festive period fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Wolves looming. The article concludes by encouraging readers to listen to a Tottenham podcast and join a Spurs WhatsApp community for more in-depth coverage and updates.
