Tottenham Mauricio Pochettino has said football is becoming as political as a series of House of Cards.
Pochettino is having to cope with a lengthy injury list, a lack of summer signings and delays to the club's stadium construction project.
"It's a weird season but I look so happy now because the new season of House of Cards has started," Pochettino told a news conference ahead of Tuesday's Champions League showdown with PSV Eindhoven. "Yesterday I watched three episodes.
"I learn a lot from this series. I recommend it. I think it represents very well sometimes how we are. Sometimes football is so political, and it's going in this direction.
"Which character am I? I don't know, it's difficult to say. It's dangerous to say this or this one. It's fiction but it can translate to many businesses."
Pochettino is missing eight players against PSV, with Jan Vertonghen, Eric Dier, Danny Rose, Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama all injured, while Hugo Lloris is suspended and Juan Foyth and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou are both ineligible in the Champions League.
Dembele limped off with an ankle problem in the opening minutes of Saturday's 3-2 victory at Wolves, but Pochettino played down the injury.
"The most important thing is he didn't suffer an injury to his bone, and that is good," Pochettino said. "Maybe his ligament is damaged but after the scan today we will know better."
Dembele has become the third central midfielder to suffer an injury in the last week, leaving Pochettino short of options at a busy time, but Dele Alli is available after being rested against Wolves and Victor Wanyama's knee injury is not serious.
"He [Wanyama] got a knock against West Ham," Pochettino said. "Today he was training and close to being available. Maybe for Saturday he will be available [against Crystal Palace].
"Could Dele play 90 minutes? It's possible. He needs to work a lot to get in his best condition to build his fitness. We're helping him."
Tottenham face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages, having only picked up one point from their opening three Group B fixtures. But Pochettino says Spurs' situation will have little effect on his team selection.
"I don't have too many players to select or not select!" he said. "Now we're only 18 or 19. There's a small chance to go to the next stage -- that's the reality. We know very well we need to win tomorrow."
With Lloris suspended, Pochettino added: "There are three different options -- Michel Vorm, Paulo Gazzaniga and Alfie Whiteman. I still haven't decided who is going to play. But sure it will be one of the three names. Each has a 33 percent possibility.
"For me it's not that they own the No. 1, the No. 2, the No. 3 [shirts]. Football is dynamic and we change a lot the things. Our decision is always to be fair for everyone."
The Wembley pitch was in a poor condition when Spurs hosted Manchester City last Monday, following three successive weekends of NFL action.
A UEFA pitch inspection is likely to take place on Monday afternoon, but Pochettino said: "I think it'll improve a little bit -- they're working so hard to improve it.
"I saw pictures; I think it's better. The condition will be the same for both sides. There's nothing to complain about."