The hectic December schedule for Tottenham Hotspur has raised questions about the fairness of fixture allocation, with manager Ange Postecoglou voicing his concerns about the impact on his team’s performance and player welfare.
Tottenham Hotspur has endured an intense schedule this season, participating in 27 matches across multiple competitions, including the Premier League, Europa League, and Carabao Cup.
These fixtures amount to an exhausting 2430 minutes of football in just five months, placing significant strain on the squad.
A deep dive into the minutes played by players shows that three players have featured in all 27 games, while five others have played over 1500 minutes.
This gruelling workload has been further exacerbated by injuries and suspensions, with Spurs losing over ten players during this period.
December has proven particularly punishing for the North London side, as they are set to play eight matches in a span of just 29 days.
The longest break between fixtures has been a mere four days, leaving little time for recovery and preparation.
This relentless pace has sparked concerns about the toll it takes on the players and the team’s ability to maintain their competitive edge.
Ange Postecoglou, speaking to football.london, addressed the challenges posed by the demanding fixture schedule, highlighting the limited control clubs have over the situation.
When asked if Tottenham could appeal their recent Thursday game against Liverpool, he explained: “Not really. We have always for some bizarre reasons seemed to have a day less than every opponent we have played so far, so it affects us both ways… we all know how it works.
“We are at the behest of higher authorities and broadcasters when it comes to fixturing. There is very little say we have apart from accepting the fact this is going to be our schedule.”
The lack of rest and relentless match demands has had tangible consequences for Tottenham Hotspur this season.
In their bid to stay competitive, the club rushed back key defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven from injury, only to see both players sustain further injuries in the same match.
Such scenarios highlight the precarious balancing act clubs face between short-term competitiveness and long-term player welfare.
What makes it even worse is the fact that January is a repeat of December. In the span of 30 days, the Lilywhites will play eight games across all competitions – the only difference is that there will be a four-day gap between each game.
The Football Association must address the issue of fixture congestion, particularly as it endangers players’ physical and mental health.
While wealthier clubs can mitigate the impact by investing in larger squads, this solution is far from feasible for most teams, thereby creating an uneven playing field.
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