Ange Postecoglou is not one for the theatrics. The Tottenham manager's post-match ritual is a handshake and a brief embrace with each of his players, and Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Fulham was no different.
Near the centre circle, he embraced Fraser Forster in much the same way he did every other player, but Postecoglou will have been mindful of just how crucial his goalkeeper had been to securing Spurs a point.
Forster made a string of exceptional saves against Marco Silva’s Fulham, without which Spurs will likely have lost at home again.
With first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario having undergone surgery on a fractured ankle and out for “months”, Postecoglou revealed last week that the Italian’s injury “does not change” his team’s January transfer plans.
Postecoglou said Forster is “such a strong character within the group and ready to play”.
Behind him, Spurs also have academy products Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman, neither of whom have made a senior appearance for Spurs. Postecoglou was also quizzed as to whether the club will move to sign an emergency free agent, with the likes of Keylor Navas and Loris Karius currently without a club. “That’s not going to happen,” Postecoglou curtly replied.
It is too soon to say that the show of faith placed in Forster, who turns 37 in March, is already looking vindicated, but there will be far less concern after two standout displays.
Forster made two smart stops to deny Paulo Dybala and one extraordinary late save from Gianluca Mancini in midweek when Tottenham drew 2-2 with Roma in the Europa League. Then, on Sunday, he was their best player against Fulham, denying Raul Jimenez (twice) and Alex Iwobi (twice) with elastic saves. The eventual result could have been worse without the veteran’s quick reactions.
What you saw out there, we see every day in training and he still has a really strong work ethic. He will be important moving forward
There were no signs of rust from Forster, making his first Premier League appearance since May 2023 when he had enjoyed a similar run in the Spurs team with Hugo Lloris out injured. That was a run which eventually earned him an England recall.
“He was good,” Postecoglou said on Sunday. “We needed him in some big moments today, and I think when you lose your goalkeeper and somebody as significant as Vic for us, the key to that is to have somebody experienced who's not going to be overawed by filling those shoes.
“Fraser has done it for a number of years. We see him every day. What you saw out there, we see every day in training and he still has a really strong work ethic. He will be important moving forward.”
Key games loom, with Chelsea, Manchester United (in the Carabao Cup) and Liverpool all to lock horns with Spurs this side of Christmas. Yet the last week has shown this is no cause for panic. Back in the limelight, Forster is stepping up like he’s never been away.
