Tottenham Hotspur have had their first wobble of of the Ange Postecoglou era with big injuries and their first two defeats of the Premier League season.

Still just two points off the top in fourth place, Spurs have mostly played with style, swagger and an aggression that the fans have been yearning for in recent years. The one low point previously was a much-changed Tottenham team crashing out of the Carabao Cup after a penalty shoot-out, which brought some early criticism for Postecoglou before the recent back-to-back defeats.

Now three months into the season and it's time for our football.london international break tradition of looking back and rating the players who have got first team minutes so far during the early months of the campaign. As always, our ratings are based on the expectation for each player - ours and theirs - rather than to be used as a tool to compare them against each other. We've also rated Postecoglou's early months in charge at the end of it all.

Let's start with the men between the sticks.

Guglielmo Vicario

In one word - superb. After some very premature concerns among a few following his debut at Brentford, when he was still getting to know a newly-thrown together defence in front of him, Vicario has made a wonderful start to life at Spurs. He's been assured with both his hands and feet, making spectacular saves - nominated twice for Premier League Save of the Month - and he's very comfortable in doing the basics well. His performance against Chelsea, when he had to act as a sweeper keeper/midfielder behind Spurs' eight other men, was ridiculously good. As the north London club's first new No.1 in 11 years - albeit wearing 13 - he's made the transition seamlessly and what's most exciting is that he will only get better as the defence finally settles. We're still giving him top marks because it's difficult to think of many, if any, mistakes he's made. 10

Fraser Forster

Just one appearance so far for Spurs this season in the Carabao Cup exit. He couldn't do much about Van de Ven's own goal but produced a fine one-handed save to stop Muniz's header and also denied the striker at his near post, before making a good save late on to stop Wilson from scoring a winner. He couldn't get anywhere near any of Fulham's penalties though as Spurs exited the cup. 5

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou has new Rodrigo Bentancur fear but it could help him and Tottenham

READ MORE: What Ange Postecoglou was shouting at Wolves as Brennan Johnson admits Tottenham's mistake

Pedro Porro

The 24-year-old Spaniard has perhaps been one of the surprises of the season so far. There's been the odd wobble at the back, including late on at Palace, but on the whole he's been a machine of a player, covering at both ends of the pitch from start to finish and coming inside in the No.10 role effortlessly. That's because Porro has a passing ability that is second only to Maddison. He grabbed a second assist at Wolves with his low ball to Johnson after linking up well with Kulusevski and his assist for Son at Burnley was a world class pass that would have got far more coverage had it come from a top midfielder. He's also been incredibly passionate about playing for Spurs and could become a fans' favourite as time goes on. 8.5

Emerson Royal

Scored in the opening match at Brentford with a fine low drive but his only other start came at Fulham in the cup until Saturday's game at Molineux. He has some struggles defensively in all three games he's started but had come off the bench a number of times to shore things up with good cameos. He's shown his versatility by playing on the left and in the centre of defence against Chelsea for a spell. He doesn't have the attacking ability of Porro which might count against him in the long run under Postecoglou. 6.5

Cristian Romero

Until that red card, the Argentine was playing his best football since he arrived at Tottenham. The extra responsibility of being named a vice-captain by Postecoglou had seemed to be a gamechanger for a player. He didn't even commit a foul in the Premier League until after the first international break. Romero also scored two great goals, one a booming header despite having just suffered a blow to his head and then that curling rocket in off the left-hand post at a crucial time at Burnley. Then came that game against Chelsea. Romero lost his head twice - he could easily have had red cards for both incidents if that was possible - and technically his absence played a big role in the defeat to the Blues and also then the loss at Wolves. He had a 10 the last time we did these ratings, so we're knocking him down a whole mark and a half and hopefully he makes up for it when he returns next month after his three-match ban ends. 8.5

Micky van de Ven

His hamstring injury was a massive blow to Postecoglou and Tottenham because the 22-year-old had made the transition to Premier League football look effortless. There's been the odd little slip and an unfortunate habit of getting the last touch on shots at Spurs' goal, resulting in one own goal and a couple of others that almost were, but on the whole he's made a huge impression at the club and fitted in seamlessly to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. The Dutchman has got pace, ability on the ball and was the perfect complement to Romero with a Ledley King-like ability to stay on his feet and guide attackers away from the danger zones. He also showed a smart finish in netting the winner at Luton. The New Year can't come soon enough. 10

Davinson Sanchez

The Colombian departed to Galatasaray in a £12.8million deal but he played well before that when he was thrown in for Romero early on at Brentford. Had a tough first half in the Carabao Cup at Fulham before improving in the second half but his night ended with that saved penalty in the shoot-out which he was brave enough to step up and take but unfortunately ended up being his final moment as a Spurs player. 5.5

Eric Dier

Just two appearances so far after getting his chance following Romero's red card and Van de Ven's injury. The 29-year-old came in for this first minutes of the season and did well against Chelsea in tough circumstances and then against Wolves he was solid enough for 91 minutes before looking tired in added time and playing a part in both late goals. Postecoglou's high line does not suit him and it feels like his time at Tottenham will end after a decade, but as he gets more match sharp in the weeks ahead he will have a part to play. 6

Destiny Udogie

A remarkable introduction to Premier League life for a 20-year-old from a very different league until a couple of daft moments against Chelsea. Udogie has weighed in with a couple of assists as a real menace to opposition defences and he's also dealt with most of what has been thrown at him in defence. The Italian had been one of the best full-backs in the league until that red card while learning to play centrally in the inverted role Postecoglou demands. His performances against Saka and Salah in successive weeks showed that he's learning with every passing game and from every tough moment and hopefully the same will happen when he returns from suspension. 9

Ben Davies

Reduced to a supporting role due to the displays of Udogie, making an impact against Manchester United, his only start came as captain in the cup match at Fulham until the game at Crystal Palace when an ankle injury got the better of him. Then came the match at Wolves in which he was excellent in the centre of defence. Named man of the match on the day with defensive interventions aplenty, Davies did not deserve to be on the end of the late turnaround. The Welshman is mainly going to be an experienced back-up this season but he did put in a good case to start alongside Romero when the Argentine is back next month until the return of Van de Ven. 6.5

Yves Bissouma

Postecoglou appeared to have unlocked the true Bissouma with the 27-year-old excellent until that red card at Kenilworth Road. While there's the odd little loose pass or finding himself getting stuck out of position up the pitch, he's been a crucial cog in the centre of the new Spurs machine. The yellow cards became an issue though - he's had seven in total although only five officially counted. He was suspended for the match at Fulham after his red card and will now miss the Villa game. He's played within himself in the past three matches, perhaps wary of getting that fifth yellow that came anyway. Postecoglou needs him back to what he was. 8

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

While he will be disappointed about being reduced to a supporting role, both on and off the pitch, the Dane has still shown a good attitude behind the scenes and on it, and he's contributed with experienced displays whenever he's come off the bench in the Premier League, including playing in defence against Chelsea. He did struggle at Fulham in the cup, especially in the first half, but was excellent against them in the league in both halves of the pitch. However, he had a part to play in both Wolves goals on Saturday afternoon. 7

James Maddison

The signing of the summer in the Premier League without question and his ankle injury is a punch to the gut for Postecoglou. Maddison had been a breath of fresh air for Spurs with his attitude, leadership and his ability. He got five assists and three goals in his 10 Premier League games before the Chelsea match and he's played a part in other goals. Tottenham will now have to operate without his playmaking ability, movement and leadership on the pitch until 2024. 10

Rodrigo Bentancur

Back after eight months and it's too early to judge the Uruguayan with just three substitute appearances so far, lasting around an hour in all. He's looked sharper than perhaps expected and he's been champing at the bit to come back far earlier than he did while the medical team played it safe after his cruciate ligament tear. They will all be watching on and hoping he comes back from international duty with more sharpness and fitness and no issues. N/A

Pape Matar Sarr

You have to remind yourself sometimes that he's only 20-years-old. Sarr has started every game since the Manchester United match, which brought that rasping finish in that game soon followed by that delightful assist for Maddison at Bournemouth. He also got an assist against Chelsea and has been involved in the build-up earlier in goals, such as the one at at Wolves. Scary to think what he's going to be like in a couple of years. Spurs will miss him and Bissouma when they head off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January. 8.5

Oliver Skipp

A tough start to the season for Spurs' other young midfielder after his starring role at Barcelona to end pre-season. Started against Brentford and did well enough but struggled at Fulham in the cup. Has found himself behind Sarr in the pecking order and has got minutes from the bench here and there, including impressing for half an hour among the nine men in the madness against Chelsea. 6

Giovani Lo Celso

It's difficult to judge Lo Celso really as he's only played 38 minutes across three brief substitute appearances in the Premier League and only lasted 45 minutes at Fulham before a quad injury forced him off. Hasn't really been able to make his mark yet. Was meant to be the Maddison rotation option but did not get the chance after the England international's injury. N/A

Dejan Kulusevski

The Swede has played almost every minute of every Premier League game for Spurs so far - other than coming off against Chelsea with 29 minutes to go - and while you could say he hasn't quite hit his stride yet - ironic since he's covered more ground than most players in the competition - he's still been a big part of Postecoglou's team. There was the goal at Bournemouth, then that dramatic winner against Sheffield United before the early goal against Chelsea. Against Luton he was a machine as a lone front man, battling for everything and doing the job of two players at times. He still needs to register an assist this season but mostly that has been the fault of others not finishing off his passes because he's created a lot of chances. He's capable of more, though. 7.5

Manor Solomon

A real shame that the 24-year-old will now miss three to four months following his knee operation because he had settled in well. The Israel international had a really bright first Premier League start for Spurs at Burnley with two assists for Son after struggling to make an impact in the match at Fulham. He was positive and hard-working from the bench in the next three games but we won't see him again until next year. 6.5

Bryan Gil

Early days for Gil under Postecoglou will a couple of brief substitute appearances after returning from injury but the absences of others should give the young Spaniard more game time in the weeks ahead. N/A

Brennan Johnson

A really positive debut amid the madness of the North London Derby with his pace a real outlet for Spurs and the 22-year-old could have scored in the game. Picked up a hamstring strain which kept him out of the next two games but he returned looking to impress and grabbed an assist at Palace, was bright against Chelsea before being sacrificed after Romero's red card and then scored his first goal for the club against Wolves. Much more to come from the Wales international in the months and years ahead. 7

Ivan Perisic

We might have seen the last of Ivan Perisic in a Spurs shirt. The club have ruled him out for the rest of the season - when his contract ends - with his cruciate knee ligament injury, although the player is aiming to be back before the campaign ends. There are growing reports in Croatia though that he might just do that with Hajduk Split rather than Tottenham though if he moves in the January window. It's a shame Postecoglou has been robbed of his services because the Croatian has been another who brought his experience to the pitch late in matches from the bench and contributed an assist at Fulham for Richarlison's goal and also unofficially one that led to the second goal against United before finding Richarlison again in added time against Sheffield United. 7

Richarlison

A mixed season so far for Richarlison as he's bagged two goals and three assists so far in 11 matches, which shows increased productivity from last season. However, he still hasn't hit the heights and he's been tried through the centre and also on the left, where he looks more comfortable with Son scoring plenty through the middle. The Brazilian spoke bravely about his issues off the pitch and has now had an operation on his pubic bone which he had been suffering with for a while. He knows that two Premier League goals since making that £60million move 18 months or so ago is not enough and hopefully being pain-free will see him improve further when he returns next month. 7

Dane Scarlett

Just the 45 minutes against Fulham in the cup and worked hard but it's not really enough of a sample size to judge him on. Having made his England U21 debut last month, Scarlett has since headed off to Ipswich on loan. N/A

Son Heung-min

Son has taken to the captaincy with aplomb and he's been a real leader for the club on and off the pitch through this transitional period. The 31-year-old has taken on the mantle as Tottenham's central striker and relished the responsibility as much as he has in wearing the armband. He's third top scorer in the Premier League with eight goals and his hat-trick at Burnley and that clinical double in the North London Derby just reminded everyone once again what a big game player he is. He had formed a great partnership with Maddison and he's suffered in the last couple of games in his absence with fewer chances created for him. Before that he had netted eight goals in seven matches. 9

Alejo Veliz

Only a couple of brief appearances so far but the young Argentine has looked bright and we get the feeling we'll have plenty more to judge him on in the months to come. N/A

And the manager

Ange Postecoglou

Don't let the recent two defeats - the first ones in the Premier League this season - distract you from the fact that Postecoglou has fixed a broken club. What he has done in such a short time is remarkable, especially when you remember he lost the club's best player on the eve of the season.

He's helped give Spurs an identity again while empowering the players and coaches and made the fans proud of their club again. He's also the first person to win the Premier League Manager of the Month award in all three of their first months in the competition.

Yes, there was the disappointing Carabao Cup exit at Fulham and the decision to make so many changes to the starting line-up irked plenty of fans. Some called the set-up with nine men against Chelsea naïve but had Spurs put away any of their three big late chances then they could have remarkably come away with something from a game there were not expected to after two red cards.

What the Australian has done behind the scenes to transform Tottenham is something special and he knows this is only the beginning. Spurs might be two points off the top - they would have returned to the summit if they had held on at Molineux - but they can get so much better as Postecoglou's methods become further imprinted in these players' minds and the club continues to bolster his squad in the January transfer window.

How he improvises in the absence of Maddison and Van de Ven will define how the coming months go before Spurs can improve his squad. Postecoglou will not compromise on his way of playing. That might bring pain against the likes of Manchester City in December but it will give Tottenham a strong direction and purpose for the months and years ahead.

If Spurs support Postecoglou with more smart recruitment in January then he's going to do something special with them this season despite the mess he found when he first entered the club. 9