Keeping all of that in mind, let’s go over the choices Ange has available. Assume Ben Davies, who has also been sidelined due to injury but is getting closer to being fully fit, returns to the Wolves squad, and Pedro Porro is healthy enough to start at right back.

Eric Dier

Pros

• Decent passer when not under pressure
• Good communicator, important for organizing an inexperienced backline
• Solid in the air

Cons

• Terrible passer under pressure
• Doesn’t have Ange’s trust
• The agility and speed of a koala high on eucalyptus

Ben Davies

Pros

• Decent mobility for a center back
• Played Ange’s CB role in preseason
• Naturally left-sided

Cons

• Not great mobility for a fullback
• Not used to playing CB in a back 4
• The passing ability of a platypus

Emerson Royal

Pros

• Decent at short passing under pressure
• Terrific engine, good mobility
• Very good aerial ability considering size

Cons

• Can’t play both fullback and center back
• No real passing vision
• The go-forward of a cane toad

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Pros

• Probably the best passing game of all the options here
• Bentancur’s return means he potentially isn’t needed to cover midfield
• Slightly better mobility than the likes of Dier or Davies

Cons

• Still not great mobility
• Has only ever rarely played in the defensive line, likely to get dominated by more physical strikers
• The aerial ability of a wombat

Ashley Phillips

Pros

• A bit of an unknown quantity (wild card, anyone?)
• Built like a brick shithouse
• Has played actual senior football in the Championship so is used to physical forwards

Cons

• A bit of an unknown quantity
• Naturally right-footed
• The experience of a joey / juvenile kangaroo

Not considered

Although Yves Bissouma and Oliver Skipp could have played in the back four against Chelsea, Ange chose not to use them in that position. It is reasonable to assume that they won’t likely be playing in the back four as a result.

So what will Ange do?

Now, let’s discuss the roles in Ange-ball. Two essential characteristics are needed for center backs: the first is comfort on the ball. The CBs frequently seek to put pressure on the opposition before attempting to swiftly move the ball to create openings. The other is the qualities that enable a defender to manage 1-on-1 defensive situations effectively; for Mickey, that was his exceptional speed, and for Cuti, it was his aggressive physicality paired with positioning.

These are the two things Eric Dier lacks. His lack of mobility is well known, and it’s no secret that he’s not the most relaxed player on the field—which is why the Eric Dier Tire Fire Pass of the Day sponsored by Kumho Tyre briefly became viral around here. Despite the criticism, Dier’s performance against Chelsea, starting from scratch, was impressive, and Postecoglou would have been pleased with his ability to organize a backline consisting of duct tape and dreams and hopes.

Although he may not have as much positional awareness as Dier, Ben Davies has respectable mobility for a center back. His passing ability isn’t much better than Dier’s. Although Emerson Royal’s mobility, positioning, and aerial ability fit the bill, he may be better suited as a left back due to his strong short passing under pressure in deeper areas (it’s when he crosses the halfway line that he falters).

The progressive passing of Romero, which was essential to many of Spurs’ attacking moves, will be greatly missed by Tottenham when Hojbjerg joins the team. The only player who can even remotely fill the void left by the Argentine’s absence is Hojbjerg.

Thus, the final choice is Ashley Phillips. Ange Postecoglou is known for his willingness to use youth, but it’s also clear that he enjoys placing them in situations free from pressure so they can thrive. Although it is almost a given that Phillips will be in the squad and may need to play substitute minutes to catch up, pushing him into the starting lineup with a partner who has also hardly played the role will probably be too much to ask of him.

The qualities needed for the fullback position are a little different. While having the ability to move the ball quickly and engage in interplay is still crucial, passing range is not as critical. The inverted role drops deep and narrow to receive possession before frequently bursting forward to attack the box, demonstrating a strong ability to move up and down the field. As previously mentioned, Royal might be a better fit for the position right now than Ben Davies.

Taking all of that into consideration, my projected back four for Wolves is:

Porro – Dier – Davies – Royal (if Ben Davies is fit)

Porro – Dier – Hojbjerg – Royal (if Ben Davies is not fit)

There will be a lot of pressure on the players regardless of Postecoglou’s decision. Let’s hope the team can withstand that and keep moving forward, showing some of the bravery they displayed against Chelsea.