Ange Postecoglou insists Tottenham do NOT play enough matches as bemoans lack his stars’ lack of rhythm… with Spurs set to play just 41 games this season

As rival managers rail against English football’s brutal schedule and burnout problems, Ange Postecolgou claims Tottenham are suffering from not playing enough.

Postecoglou will play just 41 games in his first season at Spurs, which is in stark contrast to the grueling matchday demands of his previous job at Celtic, where his team played 53 games last season and 60 the season before.

“Absolutely, yes,” said the Spurs boss when asked if he wanted more games. ‘For us, a club that wants to compete at the highest level against the best, you need a strong squad and to have a strong squad you need consistent matches and consistent playing time and opportunities.

“If we get injured at this point, there’s a chance we’ll throw someone out who hasn’t played in four or five weeks. It’s not easy for that player, whereas when you have games there is a natural rotation and you also get a bit of rhythm.

‘At Celtic I was at the other extreme, but I found that a lot easier to achieve than fewer games or a disrupted season like we’ve had this year.’

Tottenham have not played since February 17, when they lost 2-1 to Wolves in the Premier League

Spurs face Crystal Palace on Saturday, their first game since the defeat at home to Wolves a fortnight ago, as they were scheduled to face Chelsea, who were in the Carabao Cup final last weekend.

Postecoglou accepts that some of this inactivity is self-inflicted. Tottenham failed to qualify for European competition or go deep in any of the domestic cup competitions.

He also admits that his intense style of football and fast-paced training regime have contributed to Tottenham’s injury catalogue.

Richarlison is the latest victim, ruled out until after the international break due to a knee injury.

The Spurs boss admitted that it is difficult to sign players and get them into rhythm straight away if they are injured

“It’s not the first time I’ve experienced this,” Postecoglou said. ‘It has happened to me before when I come to clubs that there is always a small increase in the number of injuries in the first year.

“We’ve had some unusual injuries, but a lot of the injuries are just the way we train and the way we play and players, sports science staff and the medical team understand that and make adjustments.

“Some of it could be schedule related, because we just haven’t had a clear understanding of it. All those things you encounter along the way. More importantly, at the end of the year, keep an open mind and look at each area.

Tottenham are fifth going into the weekend fixtures, five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with a game in hand. The two teams meet at Villa Park on Sunday for a week. Villa will be involved in that match after a Europa Conference League trip to Ajax.

But Postecoglou added: ‘I don’t think there is an advantage or disadvantage. It depends on how you use that time. If you ask me, would I rather be in Europe? Absolutely, I would 100 percent rather be in Europe playing games right now.”

Richarlison is the latest man to take a hit and will be out for three to four weeks

Blue cards showed the red card

The controversial proposal to issue referees with blue cards for use in sin-bin trials is likely to be scrapped at a meeting of football lawmakers in Loch Lomond on Saturday.

FIFA and UEFA led a behind-the-scenes response that was publicly taken up by Premier League managers including Postecoglou and Jurgen Klopp, with the International FA Board setting out their plans after their annual general meeting.