Ange Postecoglou responds after Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens' apology for injuries jibe at Tottenham

Ange Postecoglou has hit back at Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens after he made a jibe towards the Tottenham boss last Saturday. Orient fell to a 1-0 defeat by Stockport and when asked during a post-match interview whether injuries had contributed to the loss, Wellens said: 'I'm not Ange Postecoglou, keep using it as an excuse.'. Wellens has since apologised for his remark, admitting he is 'deeply embarrassed' by it and that it was a 'stupid comment'.

As Spurs prepare to face Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, their absentee list could sit at a Premier League-high 11 players. When asked whether Wellens had been in contact to apologise personally, Postecoglou was conservative with his words and implied that the Orient boss has had his minutes of fame. 'He's had his five minutes, that's good enough for me', he said. Ange Postecoglou has hit back at Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens after his jibe last week.

The Orient boss apologised in the week for making a 'stupid comment' about Postecoglou. Spurs have had to deal with a multitude of injuries this season and currently have 11 players out. Postecoglou was then asked whether fans and pundits may be beginning to grow tired of the narrative that Tottenham are incapacitated by their injury woes. Spurs have endured a nightmare campaign in the Premier League, slipping to 14th in the table after 13 defeats from 24 matches.

Postecoglou has been forced to chop and change his side frequently over the course of the season so far, hit with injuries to several key defenders including Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie. 'I don't know how it's a narrative when you are just stating facts,' the Aussie said. 'If people don't see a situation where you are missing something significant, there is nothing I can say to that. If they say, "well, that shouldn't really make a difference", I don't know how to answer that.

'I get that people's senses get dulled or people get bored — everyone wants a bit of drama. But that's not drama, that's just stating facts. 'We have been missing some really key players for a long time and have had to deal with that. Whether people see that as significant or not… If people think I'm trying to create a story out of nothing, I don't know what to say about that.'. Postecoglou added: 'As for other managers, he's [Wellens] had his five minutes, so let's move on.'.

Orient and Spurs have a close relationship, with Harry Kane previously going on loan there. Spurs, who have a close relationship with Orient, sent academy stars Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley to the League One club for a season-long loan at the start of the campaign. Former Tottenham captain Harry Kane also completed a loan spell there early in his career, while Spurs women regularly play their home games at Orient's Brisbane Road.