Does Tottenham's ideal midfielder exist?

The problem with Tottenham, as is the case for a number of teams in the league, is the number of injuries they have.

It can make you panic about what they actually need but, in reality, when they have a full squad available they are more competitive.

Yes, there is criticism that they are at times very inconsistent, but they are upwardly mobile and they are a team that should be thinking about being in the top six or seven in the league. So, with players they have coming back, you start to wonder where they are looking to improve?

In my opinion, it is in defensive midfield.

They need somebody with a little more experience. At the moment the club has a method of bringing in young players - who are long-term projects - but you can still find someone that is relatively young but is still very good at sensing danger. They need someone who is good at linking play because Ange Postegcoglou does not want to change his identity. If you find the right one then, before you know, he has options.

They want somebody who is a good, ball-playing midfielder, who has got a real keen eye for defensive transitions. They need to be athletic and have a real sense of making sure that, while they are attacking, they are not too open to be hit on the counter.

As for a particular player who fits this mould, I could not say, I just know the needs - so maybe that person does not exist?

We need to remember the options that Spurs do have are good midfielders, but it is more about bringing in someone that is a more robust. One thing about Postecoglou that I think gets mistaken is, for the way that Spurs can play, I do not think that it necessarily marries up to the sort of edge that the man has himself.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson