Ange Postecoglou spoke to the media at Hotspur Way on Wednesday, ahead of our Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night (8pm UK).
Here's what he had to say...
Team news
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_First up, Ange was asked for team news updates..._
Ange: "I guess from the other night, Destiny, no injury but he is still a bit sore from the game. We are not ruling him out but we will see how he is with the turn around. Biss is available after being suspended on the weekend and I think everyone else is as is."
_When will Micky van de Ven return?_
Ange: "Van de Ven and Romero are still chugging along. I think both will be in the new year. Not as a significant injury as last time with Micky, but obviously, having a setback, the medical team is going to make sure he is right to go. So, both of them in the new year at some point."
_Any update on Mikey Moore?_
Ange: "Mikey is back in training, so hopefully not too far away. The next cabs off the rank are Mikey and Ben Davies, potentially next week, and then Richarlison, maybe first week of the new year."
Boost from St Mary's?
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_Ange was asked if the win at Southampton boosted the mood of the squad..._
Ange: "No, we were in a good mood before then. It was a great performance in the last game on Sunday and I was delighted with the way the lads handled everything. It was a tough week with an away European fixture thrown in there as well. It was tough on us physically and the fact we had so many players out I think the way the players performed was outstanding but the mood is the same and looking forward to a big game."
Carabao Cup
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_Ange was asked for his thoughts on the Carabao Cup..._
Ange: "We have got ourselves in this position, so we have earned that. Like you said it’s a big game, quarter-final of a cup competition and I'm looking forward to it. It should be a cracking night."
Second season = trophy?
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_It was put to Ange, 'you've reiterated many times, second season means a trophy...'_
Ange: "I haven’t reiterated it many times, but if you ask me a question I will answer it. So if you ask me 100 times I will answer it 100 times but I’m not walking around with banners saying, ‘I win things in my second year.’ But ask me the question and I will give you the answer and it is what it is."
_You're so close if you win tomorrow, so is it the most important game of the season?_
Ange: "No, I don’t think quarter-finals is close. You get to a final then I think you’re close. There is still a fair bit of football to be played, all we can do is be ready for tomorrow night. Like I said, good game, big opponent and they have done well in cup competitions in the last couple of years. We are at home which is great for us with the support behind us and as you said an opportunity to get to a semi-final. That is enough motivation and focus we need for this game."
Lucas Bergvall
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_With Yves Bissouma back from suspension and Lucas Bergvall impressing at Southampton, Ange was asked how tough a decision it's going to be selecting the midfield against United..._
Ange: "It's good to have an option there. Lucas did fantastically well the other night and he has done in the last two or three games he has played for us as he's really made an impact, but the other night I thought he was really good. In the first half he really showed maturity playing that role, discipline and real quality as well. It's good to have that option. Having Biss available is great as well. I'll make a decision tomorrow, but at the same time that was Lucas' first start for quite a while and he did tire noticeably in the second half so we'll have to see how he's recovered from the game."
Fraser Forster
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_Ange was asked how impressed he's been with Fraser Forster..._
Ange: "He has been great, no surprise to me. I put him in my Europa League squad, that's how highly I rated him."
Yang Min-hyeok
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_Ange was asked if he'd had the chance to meet new signing Yang Min-hyeok, who has arrived ahead of joining us in January..._
Ange: "Yeah, he has been in the building in the last couple of days, having a good look around. Obviously, we can't register him until January 1st, so he won't train with us, but I always feel it's good... I had this experience at Celtic with the Asian lads we brought in, the Japanese and Korean boys, bringing them in before Christmas which allows them to settle in, especially off the field, that way by the time we get to register them in a couple of weeks they are already settled and can train fully. It's good to see him around. He has been doing some English lessons which is great, he's already sort of conversing and it's great to have him in the building."
Archie Gray
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_Ange was asked what he made of Archie Gray playing centre-back in the last couple of games..._
Ange: "He's done really well, credit to him, at 18, playing in a position he hasn't played before, in the toughest competition in the world, plus in Europe, plus multiple games. He hasn’t missed a beat, and it’s brilliant to watch. All the lads have obviously helped him. Radu is the experienced one, so to speak, at 22, and Destiny, 22, either side of him. That’s where we’re at in terms of the squad and all the young boys are stepping up, I think’s super exciting through a tough period for the squad where we are at from the squad perspective. The young guys are shouldering a big part of the load. That’s a brilliant thing for us, because once we get the other side of this and get to smoother waters they are going to be so much better equipped for what’s ahead. Archie's done really well, his defending has been really solid, obviously he’s got quality on the ball but the way he’s handled what we are asking him to do a really big job and not just for a one-off game. He’s handled it brilliantly."