Too early for Spurs title race talk, says coach Postecoglou

Tottenham Hotspur are top of the Premier League standings and unbeaten in their opening nine games, but there’s still a long way to go, manager Ange Postecoglou said on Thursday.Understandably, his side are now being talked about as potential Premier League winners, but the Australian is not thinking along those lines."There’s a real good reason that no manager will talk about the title in October and November and that’s because we all know there’s a long way to go,” Postecoglou told reporters ahead of their game at Crystal Palace today."We don’t talk in those terms with the players, my main information flow is about how can we keep improving, how can we tackle the challenge of being in the most competitive league in the world on a weekly basis.”The manager also gave an update on the latest injury news, including Ben Davies who missed Monday’s 2-0 win over Fulham."He got a knock the day before in training. It’s fair to say our training at times teeters on the edge and unfortunately he copped a nasty one in training,” Postecoglou said."He has been training and is fine and ready to go.”Two players who were replaced during that win were Pape Matar Sarr and Destiny Udogie."Pape is fine, he bounced back 24 hours after the game. Destiny we’re still going to assess. Everyone else has come through fine,” the coach added.Yves Bissouma missed the Fulham game through suspension, and was replaced by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg who impressed in the win, giving the manager a selection headache for the Palace game."It’s no different to any other week. They’re not really dilemmas, just choices that people in my position have to make,” he said."Tomorrow night we’ll start with a certain group of players and finish with another and it’s about trying to get the job done."It’s good to have Bissouma available, he’s been a big part of what we’re doing. The team did well the other night so that should make us stronger.”As the only team to play today, Spurs can open up a five point gap at the top of the table before their title rivals play, but the manager isn’t looking at the game in those terms."It doesn’t add any significance because whatever happens Friday there’s a full round of Premier League fixtures to be played,” Postecoglou said."This is not about making a short-term impact but something that brings sustained opportunities for success for the club.”Spurs are on 23 points and are looking to extend their unbeaten run and claim their fourth win in a row away to a Palace side in 11th place with 12 points.Manchester United’s season has spluttered into second gear with a run of three successive victories but the sceptics are not convinced and Erik Ten Hag’s side face the ultimate test of their credentials at home to Manchester City this weekend.Dutchman Ten Hag was staring into the abyss when his side trailed Brentford 1-0 with stoppage time looming earlier this month but two late goals spared his blushes.Another not-too-convincing victory at bottom club Sheffield United last weekend was admirable in its own way following the news of club great Bobby Charlton’s death before kickoff.Again in midweek, United were unimpressive as they beat FC Copenhagen 1-0 at Old Trafford to kickstart their Champions League campaign – Harry Maguire’s goal and a stoppage time penalty save by Andre Onana getting them out of trouble.