Tottenham Hotspur

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Ange Postecoglou may not care what others think about him, but tonight his players need to know he cares about them.

As he prepares himself and his team for the biggest game of their season so far, the aim could not be clearer - win at all costs.

Needing to win suits us better than trying not to throw away a lead, because in that hunt for a winner, the strengths of 'Angeball' – the fast-paced, expansive, attacking play – can be executed to maximum effect.

With Son Heung-Min unavailable due to injury, it forces Ange to do something different from the start, which I hope he has the courage to take full advantage of.

Either way, it is not our attacking that concerns me, and – if I were Ange – my tactical focus in training in preparation for tonight would have been our out-of-possession play.

The Eintracht Frankfurt fans will make their stadium as hostile as possible, and Spurs need to be mentally prepared for that as much as anything else. They need to replace fear with focus, especially when they do not have the ball.

Above all else though, given the difficult season we have had, instilling confidence and care in his players should be the priority for Ange going into this game.

You cannot succeed if you are running scared. If you do not know your next move. If you do not care.

Ange's words and body language are more important now than ever. He needs to tell and show his players that they are in control of this story. That they cannot change what has happened, but they can influence what is to come. They can make history together.

That to dare – and to care - is to do.

What do you think? Should Spurs and Postecoglou prepare any differently to normal for a game of this magnitude? And if so, how?

Tell us here

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Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven insists the team still have "trust" in under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Spurs head coach has come under pressure before his side's crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg at Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday after suffering their 17th Premier League defeat of the season against Wolves at the weekend.

Asked how much the team want to win for Postecoglou, Van de Ven said: "We all still have the trust in the gaffer and still have trust in the way he's playing.

"We want to win the game of course for him, but also for us, also for the club and also for the fans.

"It hasn't been a really good season, but it's a big game for us and of course we want to achieve something special this season - and this is the best way to do it."

The Europa League provides Spurs with the opportunity to salvage silverware and a spot in next season's Champions League from an otherwise disappointing campaign.

The team will have to overcome a hostile atmosphere at Deutsche Bank Park if they are to turn the 1-1 aggregate scoreline into a victory.

"We also have some Premier League games to play but, if we want to win some silverware then it has to be the Europa League and we have to win this game to go to the next round," Van de Ven added.

"It is a big game for us but it is also a normal week - we have to play our best football and we have to play the way we want to play.

"We want to create as many chances as we did in the last game against them."

Tottenham will rebuff offers for left-back Destiny Udogie this summer despite links with several clubs, including Manchester City. (Florian Plettenberg), external

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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Son Heung-min will miss the match on Thursday as he has "been battling with his foot problem for a few weeks" and after not training on Wednesday they decided to leave him out "to allow him to recuperate and see the best mode of recovery for him".

• Postecoglou added: "Look it's a blow but it's consistent with everything else that's happened this year, so it's just another challenge for us to overcome. The reason we left him out at the weekend was to give him time to recover because he's been struggling with this foot thing for a couple of weeks now, but he couldn't make it."

• The Spurs boss does not see the match "as salvaging the season", but as "an opportunity to do something special", adding: "You're at a point where you have got an opportunity to get to the semi-finals of a major competition. Obviously you know the challenge before you and that's the bit you're excited about."

• He added: "That has kind of been my message to the players. Irrespective of everything else that has happened this year, we're a game away from the final four of a major competition. We shouldn't take that for granted in terms of something that is a regular occurrence because it certainly hasn't been for this club, but we'll try to take advantage of that."

• On his position as Tottenham head coach: "I don't define my career or me as a person by what people think of me. I never have and never will. If you don't think I'm a good coach today then you are not going to think I'm a good coach tomorrow. Even if we win, mate, one game is not going to make a difference to that. If people think us winning tomorrow then all of a sudden I'm a better manager than what I am today, or losing tomorrow somehow makes me a worse manager, that is their burden, not mine."

• Postecoglou continued: "I couldn't care less, mate. I really couldn't care less. There's no burden on me, there is no anxiety on me. What I'm sitting here doing is thinking we've got a great opportunity to get to the final four of a major tournament. Mate, I'm not going to let that slip by without fighting tooth and nail for it irrespective of what may come the day after."

• On Guglielmo Vicario and Cristian Romero after Sunday's match: "They were disappointed, but the thing about both of them is they don't shy away from that responsibility. They owned up to it, the mistakes were on them but once we reviewed it and put it to bed, they trained the next day with the mentality you expect them to as leaders and experienced players. I guess if they were going to make errors like that, it's better they did it on Sunday than tomorrow night."

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Eintracht Frankfurt defender Robin Koch has warned Tottenham they will be playing in an intense atmosphere on Thursday and that the entire German city is up for the crucial Europa League tie.

It is Spurs' only remaining chance of silverware and a route to qualifying for next season's Champions League.

"We shouldn't expect that Tottenham, all of a sudden, don't know how to play football because they are away," Koch said.

"They play for everything tomorrow. Their league is more or less done, so they will give it everything. The stadium will be a lion's den but I don't think Tottenham will give up too early.

"You can feel it all over the city, in the club, in our team and everyone is looking forward to the match."

Frankfurt's coach Dino Toppmoller reiterated the message that Spurs should expect an intense atmosphere in Germany.

"They will feel it," he said. "There are many factors which are important. The key for success tomorrow will be that we have a good start into the match, we are right away on the pitch and that we make use of the advantage of playing at home.

"We still know about the quality of Tottenham. Of course, I know the results they had recently, but they won also at Manchester United, they won at Manchester City. These are not little successes.

"The match from last weekend doesn't say anything because the only thing where they can reach anything is the Europa League - so all their focus is on the Europa League."

Tottenham have identified Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Fulham boss Marco Silva and Brentford head coach Thomas Frank as candidates to replace Ange Postecoglou should he be dismissed. (Teamtalk), external

However, Iraola would be likely to snub the chance to join Spurs in favour of remaining at Bournemouth, as the Cherries eye playing European football next season. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

No moles are required to confirm that something is not working behind the scenes at Spurs.

The evidence of our struggles - and of our defensive frailties in particular - was there for all to see against Wolves on Sunday.

Ange Postecoglou may not be physically responsible for individual player errors as they happen on the pitch, but he is responsible for creating a positive environment on and off the pitch where players are fully competent and confident in their roles and responsibilities.

Ange is responsible for training the players, or at least for managing staff who train them. He is also responsible for choosing which players play in which position and in which games, for deciding in-game substitutions and wider tactics, and for managing a group of elite athletes with individual egos, hopes, fears, insecurities and limitations.

All of these things have a direct impact on how players perform in games.

It is not an easy job and, if you get it wrong, it can look a lot like this whole season has for Spurs.

Although lots of us are still holding onto the hope of a trophy in the Europa League, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see us emerging triumphant from that competition and, even if we did, is that really enough to justify another season of Angeball?

Whatever the board decides, what I do not want to see is us keeping Ange for another season, only to sack him at the first sign of trouble part way into the new season.

If we are going to get a new manager, they need to be lined up now so that they are in place to work with the staff over the summer, and with the squad for the whole pre-season.

Anything else would be, well, Spursy.

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Former Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly says the Europa League is "make or break" for Ange Postecoglou as Spurs boss.

It is 1-1 on aggregate heading into Tottenham's trip to Eintracht Frankfurt for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Kelly told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I've covered Tottenham's last three games. I did the Frankfurt game on Thursday and I was like 'this is the best I've seen them'. Everybody's back fit, they played well in the second half and looked like they could've and should've won the game.

"Then I was at Wolves at the weekend like 'oh no, back to Tottenham again'. It was awful, really poor, the mistakes they made.

"To think that they have to raise it again for a game away to Frankfurt who are no slouch, third in the Bundesliga, very good side, attacking players that can cause problems and are causing teams problems all over Europe

"I don't know where to go with this, how they are going to finish but it is make or break I think for Ange Postecoglou with the Europa League."

Eintracht Frankfurt are demanding a fee of about 100m euros (£86.3m) for 22-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike, amid interest from Tottenham and Arsenal. (Bild - in German), external

Tottenham are willing to break their transfer record and pay about £65m to sign 25-year-old Wolves and Brazil forward Matheus Cunha. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Tottenham's incoming chief executive Vinai Venkatesham is to step down from his role as chair of the Wembley Stadium Advisory Board.

The executive was appointed by the Football Association as independent chair of a new advisory board appointed to oversee the future development of the national stadium in December.

But BBC Sport understands Venkatesham intends to vacate the position before formally starting work with Spurs at the end of the season.

Among the factors to have been considered before the decision was that Tottenham and the FA compete for the right to stage non-footballing events at their respective stadiums, thus creating a conflict for Venkatesham if he stayed on in his Wembley role.

The FA are aware of Venkatesham's impending departure, with sources describing the process as amicable given the governing body were kept aware of the possibility of the former Arsenal executive returning to football.

Having left Arsenal at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, Venkatesham has bided his time before returning to football. Tottenham confirmed Venkatesham's appointment as their next CEO on Friday, in news that arrived with an element of surprise given his previous ties with Spurs' rivals.

The development, given the Spurs' CEO position is a newly-created role, has raised questions over the structural changes at Tottenham before next season, with multiple sources indicating current chief football officer Scott Munn's position is under threat, though no final decisions over any departures have been made.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said last week: "The club has experienced significant growth in recent years, making it crucial to expand our executive management.

"I have known Vinai for many years, having worked together in the Premier League and the ECA. I am personally delighted that he has agreed to join our board as we build for success."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Wolves and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Bill: We're playing like a top-10 team now, but just need to cut out the silly defensive mistakes.

Steve: Great home win and moved up a place. Amazing confidence and all round performance as the team grows with new players and a new lease of life under the manager, whose strategy is working and bringing rewards. Looking forward to next season already, maybe with a couple of new players that have been rumoured. Everyone wants to play for the team and the manager.

Nathan: This team has found the formula. Two-goal lead and then every time Spurs got one back, the response was quick and effective. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Andre and Joao Gomes were a different class again!

Tottenham fans

Jake: Yet again, a gutless performance from Tottenham, something that seems to be symptomatic for this season. The amount of mistakes and uninspired in-game decisions from management are simply indefensible. I'm afraid to say this but: Ange needs to go, end of.

Paul: Possibly the worst defensive performance I've ever seen from a Spurs team. No fight, too many players are too easily dispossessed and some of the passing is non-league standard. The keeper gives me kittens every time the ball is put into the area and Cristian Romero has been awful for two seasons now. Overall I would say I'm a little disappointed. If we go out of Europe on Thursday, Ange will be gone on Friday.

JS: Some of these players are not worthy of representing our football club, they are seemingly already planning their summer holidays. And for all the Ange critics, the manager is not responsible for individual mistakes for all four of the goals conceded today. Without those four individual errors we may well have won this match!

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

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It has been a domestic season to forget for Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou.

The Spurs boss was a picture of despair on several occasions during Sunday's defeat to Wolves, that exposed all their glaring frailties that have left his side just two points above Wolves in the table - and put his position in jeopardy.

Their place in the Europa League remains their only glimmer of hope and even that could be gone by Thursday after their crucial return tie in Frankfurt.

"Tottenham are not competitive," said former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live. "If they don't win on Thursday then I can't see Postecoglou being in the job by Saturday.

"That is how toxic the place is at the moment.

"He can't buy a win! All the players are back and there are still no results, so it is nowhere near good enough."

But even if Spurs do progress in the Europa League, or even win the competition, should there be question marks over Postecoglou's position next season?

"People are having the conversation now about whether he deserves the chance to stay on if they win the Europa League - and I just don't see it," added Nigel Reo-Coker. "It reminds me of Erik ten Hag and how he won the FA Cup and people got caught up in the emotion so wanted him to be kept on.

"How do you see this getting better for Spurs? It is the same week-in week-out."

Only the current bottom three clubs – Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich - have lost more Premier League games than Tottenham (17) this season, while it's the most defeats they have suffered in a league campaign since 2003-04.

"They are that bad, they probably will finish 17th," said Re-Coker. "They are so fortunate that those three teams have been that awful this season and didn't have enough about themselves.

"If they had been more competitive then I wouldn't have been surprised to see Tottenham in the relegation zone. They are that bad.

"They are awful to watch and they are not a team. Yes, the injury situation played a little part, but now all of those players are fit so it is not good enough."

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Former Premier League striker Dion Dublin has criticised Tottenham's "incredibly poor" defending and organisation against Wolves, which saw Ange Postecoglou's ship four goals and fall to their 17th Premier League defeat of the season.

Speaking on Match of the Day 2, Dublin said: "Tottenham made it very easy for them indeed. Their defending and organisation was incredibly poor. It was schoolboy stuff.

"I have no idea what they were doing in certain situations. At times, they just needed to clear the ball and give their teammate the chance to get up the pitch. It was their reactions as well, there was zero pressure on the ball.

"Conceding an own goal, which had nothing to do with any of the Wolves players at all, is just so poor.

"There was just no communication but, when you keep doing that, it starts to become a habit. If you aren't held accountable for your actions, it becomes a habit."

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy agreed, stating that "ludicrous defending" has happened "too many times this season".

"It is never the same player though, so that shows the mentality is wrong in their defending and their organisation," he added. "It is ludicrous defending.

"I think that they play so off the cuff at times and that is why their fans are so frustrated at the moment."

Catch up on Match of the Day 2 here

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to Sunday's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich Town

• Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United

• Newcastle United 4-1 Manchester United

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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports after the defeat to Wolves: "It's a funny old game, the performance wasn't too bad but the goals we conceded made it difficult for us. I thought we were in the game and controlled it well, but we conceded really poor goals."

Are nerves to blame?

"It's the first time I've seen it. It's not creeping in, it just happened today."

Did you speak to Guglielmo Vicario at half-time after his mistake?

"No, Vic has been outstanding for us. Mistakes happen, but they've happened all on the same day for us.

"They're clearly not happy and they shouldn't be. I'm not happy and the players aren't happy."

Image source, Getty Images

Only the current bottom three clubs – Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich have lost more Premier League games than Tottenham (17) this season, while it's the most defeats they have suffered in a league campaign since 2003-04 (19, finishing 14th).

Were you at Molineux or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Wolves' performance

Tottenham fans, what did you make of their display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Chelsea v Ipswich

• Liverpool v West Ham

• Wolves v Tottenham

• Newcastle United v Manchester United (16:30)

All kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has got his big players back from injury but he will have his eye on the Europa League and getting past Eintracht Frankfurt, so will he rest people here?

I have been really impressed with Wolves under Vitor Pereira, especially defensively.

When Gary O'Neil was sacked in December, they had shipped 40 goals in their first 16 league games but, under Pereira, they have only conceded another 19 in 15 matches.

Wolves have won their past three games to move 12 points clear of the relegation zone and I am expecting them to make it four wins in a row here, with another clean sheet.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say

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There are lots of different perspectives in terms of how you watch a game of football, and I think for the majority of time the people in the stadium get the best atmosphere, but the worst views of how a game has actually gone.

You don't really get the chance to see multiple replays and have discussions about things, because you just get caught up in the moment.

With the incoming semi automated offsides, they did promise it earlier in the season - but I think the caveat was they're only going to do it when it's ready.

It is a positive that they didn't do it when it wasn't ready.

One upside to to the new technology is some of the arguments disappear. Previously you could say 'but it looks like it's this to me' or 'it looks like it's that to me'. When it is presented now, there aren't many people that will then be looking at the animation, going back to the video, and then going down a proper conspiracy rabbit hole.

So, it ends more arguments, not all arguments, but more arguments.

I think people, as a consequence, will be more accepting of it.

But, I still do believe that there's things for people to understand, because it can't be used in every situation. There are certain decisions which can still be a little bit more complex, and there's certain times where human intervention will still need to be brought in.

I wouldn't say it's as clear as, say, goal line technology, but it's a step in the direction to where most people feel more comfortable accepting the outcome and the speed of it as well will be encouraged.

It's not to say that it's going to be instant. If you believe this is going to be perfect, and always extremely fast, ask yourself, why do you think that?

Unless somebody has told you that from PGMOL, then take it with a pinch of salt and you see how it goes.

I think it's something that many people have seen before so hopefully there will be fewer arguments.

But, because it's football, there'll always be something to argue about the end of the day.