Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou has already used four goalkeepers this season, with Antonin Kinsky fielded between the posts during his side's humiliating 2-1 defeat against Leicester City last Sunday, and he has faced scrutiny alongside shot-stopper Fraser Forster for his performances in 2024-25.

Current first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is not expected back until March, but even the Italian has faced criticism himself this term, with some fans arguing that he has struggled when pressurised during set-pieces.

However, Vorm suggested that external factors like the demands of Postecoglou could be impacting the form of Spurs' goalkeepers, telling Sports Mole: "Every goalkeeper has different attributes that one is better in than others, but it all starts with the style of play.

"What does a manager expect from the goalkeeper? From there on, the goalkeeper who plays has to work on playing from the back or whatever they ask from him. Vicario, normally if he's fit, he's the number one and he's done very well. Obviously, there was some criticism with the set-pieces, but this is something you can work on.

"[But] you need to balance because you get in trouble - at the end of [a] goal when the ball enters the net, everyone looks at you. Sometimes it can look very silly, especially if you want to try to play from the back, but you're not very comfortable in doing it."

Postecoglou insists that Tottenham should play out from the back and invite pressure, but the likes of Forster have struggled to adapt to the demands placed on him, and the goalkeeper made serious errors with the ball at his feet against Manchester United in the EFL Cup on December 19.

Should Tottenham change their approach without Vicario?

Leicester scored their equalising goal against Tottenham shortly after half time, and while Kinsky could have done better to prevent Bobby Reid's cross from finding Jamie Vardy, he was not helped by the fact the Foxes managed to bypass Spurs' aggressive press to get in a position to cross so easily.

Similarly, the insistence on playing out from the back with Forster despite his limitations has been detrimental, and has undoubtedly allowed opponents the chance to win the ball back high up the pitch.

When speaking to Sports Mole, Vorm expressed his belief that neither goalkeeper should be put in a situation that makes them uncomfortable, saying: "You can't ask some things like if it's, for example, Fraser Forster, you ask something where he's maybe not so comfortable in. Sometimes we have to play from the back because of the style of play, or what the manager is asking.

"Fraser obviously played before in the [Premier League], so [it's clear] that he's not the same type of goalkeeper as Vicario - that's already a big difference."

Tottenham have lost six of their last seven fixtures in the top flight - drawing the other - and have conceded 18 goals in that period, so perhaps it would be sensible to address the weaknesses in goal in order to rectify their form before they are drawn further into a relegation battle.

How Postecoglou can get the best out of Kinsky and Forster

Spurs' defensive issues this term have not all been because of poor goalkeeping, with defenders Djed Spence, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie and Micky van de Ven all absent against Leicester.

While Postecoglou cannot be expected to resolve all of his side's defensive problems, playing less aggressively when out of possession could make it harder for opponents to break through on goal, and shield the likes of Kinsky.

Speaking to Sports Mole, Vorm emphasised the importance of always highlighting the strengths of goalkeepers while masking their weaknesses, saying: "[Forster's] done well, but he's not as good with his feet as Vicario, [but] this is something they ask from him.

"That's why I always, as a former goalkeeper, try to make sure you highlight the things you're very good at. The things you're a bit less [good] at, you work on, but focus more on the things you're well in."

Forster is a reliable shot-stopper and good at dealing with crosses into the penalty area, and Spurs could benefit more if they asked less of him with the ball.

Michel Vorm was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of 888sport.

Written by

Lewis Nolan