Presser points | Spurs vs AS Roma | Destiny Udogie
Wed 27 November 2024, 16:20|
Tottenham Hotspur
Left-back Destiny Udogie spoke to the media on Wednesday afternoon ahead of Thursday evening’s UEFA Europa League clash with AS Roma at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (8pm UK).
Here’s a snapshot of what he had to say...
Vicario’s injury
First up, Destiny was asked about his Italian international colleague Guglielmo Vicario’s ankle injury…
Destiny: “Obviously we’re going to miss him because in the group he’s a great leader, a great player so he’s going to be missed. During the game he had a bad fracture of his ankle but to keep going, he showed a lot of character. I spoke to him the day after, I asked him how he was doing and he told me he had an operation so he’s going to be out for a while so we are just waiting for him to be back.”
Consistency
Destiny was asked what type of performance we can expect from the team on Thursday night…
Destiny: “It’s been difficult because we haven’t really found the right consistency but we’re working here every day to find the consistency we need. Every game we try to build momentum, coming from a big win last week, obviously it’s a big game tomorrow and we will try to build momentum.”
Ange’s second season
It was put to Destiny that Ange Postecoglou has a good record in his second season at his previous clubs. Does that add any extra pressure for the players?
Destiny: “No, we all want to win something because as the manager says we’re a group of players that want to win, so every game we go out there and try to win the game and every competition we are in, we are in for a reason so hopefully we can get something from it.”
Comparisons to last term
Destiny was asked about the differences between this season and last season…
Destiny: “This season we are obviously in the second season together so we understand a lot about each other, we know the gaffer better and his staff so we go out there and we know each other better, so it’s a big difference because we have more confidence in our ability and understanding.”
Goalkeeping situation
Destiny was asked about Vicario’s resilience after playing on while injured at Manchester City, and also about Fraser Forster’s skills…
Destiny: “Honestly I always knew Vicario was different, he’s a great guy with a really strong mentality. For him to play 60 minutes with a fractured ankle, it says a lot about him and I really respect that. As a big brother, obviously it’s hard to have an operation but I just wish him the best and can’t wait for him to be back.
“Fraser is a leader as well, he’s been here and he’s been playing football for a while so he’s going to help us a lot and he’s going to show his quality every game.”
Settling in
Destiny was then asked in Italian about his time at the club so far and his impression of some of the other left-sided players we’ve had in the past…
Destiny: “It’s my second season. Last season I had a great season but I’ve always believed in myself so I adapted well. I always knew that I could adapt and I thought I adapted well. Playing in the Premier League was always a dream for me but at the same time, I can always do more, I can always try to improve, I can always try to build and work to improve. In terms of left-footed players who have played before me, there have been plenty. I can think of (Danny) Rose as a name.”
As a team we know our quality, we believe in ourselves. Every game we want to win, obviously sometimes it doesn’t happen but we know we can do it.
A demanding style
Destiny was asked about the physical demands of the way we play…
Destiny: “I think the way we train is really hard, as the gaffer said, no-one trains like us because we train hard, but I think it’s starting to give us more condition to win the game and play 90 minutes at a high level. We show this every game.”
Djed Spence
A question followed about Djed Spence’s involvement in the squad this season…
Destiny: “I think Djed is an incredible player. We are really close friends, we speak a lot and we try to help each other in the games. Everyone in the group is here to help and I hope he can help us as much.”
Targets
After the 4-0 win at Manchester City on Saturday, Destiny was asked what he believes the team can achieve this season…
Destiny: “I think as a team we know our quality, we believe in ourselves, every game we want to win, obviously sometimes it doesn’t happen but we know we can do it. We’re just really focused every game, game after game, we won on Saturday, now we are focused on tomorrow and then on Sunday (home game against Fulham in the Premier League) so we’re just really taking it step-by-step.”
Personal consistency
Destiny was asked about his own form this season, with the defeat at Brighton earlier in the campaign mentioned as a difficult day…
Destiny: “When I have a bad game I always try to watch it back, see my mistakes and try to improve from them. With the international break (that followed our game at Brighton), it was more like ‘I had a bad game, I go to Italy, focus on Italy and reset and be ready for the next game’ so I really try to come back from setbacks.”
In the system
Destiny was asked about playing as a full-back in Ange’s system…
Destiny: “It’s really nice because we have the freedom to play in the middle of the pitch. For us, it’s not easy because we need to run, come back and attack, but at the same time it’s really enjoyable. We can make assists and score.”
Back to the keeper
To finish off, Destiny was asked about how long it takes to get used to playing with a different goalkeeper in the wake of Vicario’s injury…
Destiny: “Honestly I don’t think it’s going to take long because Fraser or Brandon (Austin), they train with us every day so they know our system, they know how we play so I think it’s going to be easy.”
