Tottenham Hotspur

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Rory from Ireland asked: Manchester United and Spurs both hope to reach the Champions League by winning the Europa League, but are they ready?

‌Pat answered: Both United and Spurs are having awful seasons compared to what they would have expected and both are relying on the Europa League to give them some succour. I would love to say that they are in their poor league positions, 13th and 14th respectively, because they have decided to concentrate on the one trophy they both can still win, but it clearly isn't the case. They simply haven't been good enough domestically.

‌If either does win the Europa League and 'sneaks' into the Champions League via that route then I have no problem. As they say, "dems da rules". And you just have to use them to your advantage.

‌Will either team be ready was the question. The answer is, that depends, ready for what? Ready to win it? Absolutely not, both look miles away from that possibility, even if qualifying would allow them to speed up the rebuild if you are United or provide additional squad depth in Spurs' case.

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‌If the question is more about surviving in the Champions League for a decent amount of time, well yes, both could. When you are involved in the new League style, there is every chance of getting a decent draw and there are teams in there that are not from the absolute elite level.

In a one-off game with a fair wind could United or Spurs beat the likes of Brugge, Brest, Bern's Young Boys, Bologna, Benfica or Bratislava? Yes of course they could, and that is only the teams beginning with a B (well, kind of beginning with B).

‌There are plenty of teams that will make it into the Europa Conference League that are highly unlikely to win it.

I am convinced neither of those two would embarrass themselves but then again I expect both those teams to be far better next season than they have been this time round.

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We asked you about the prospect of Mauricio Pochettino returning to Tottenham in the future, after he said he would like to return to the club one day.

Here are some of your comments:

Michael: Absolutely would welcome him back. Give Ange next season to keep equilibrium. If it doesn't work then Poch returns after the 2026 World Cup! He has unfinished business.

Jimmy: I personally haven't felt a connection to the club since he left five or six years ago. Football is all about emotion to me and I've felt a disconnect since the day he left. Like most of my fellow season ticket holders, we'd have him back tomorrow. It's been a badly fractured fanbase since his departure and only he can reunite us.

Steve: I don't want Poch back. He bottled it last time and I've seen nothing since to suggest he's changed.

Adam: Would love to see Poch back with us one day, really hope it happens. Unlikely to be in the next cycle but hope it works out in the end, incredible memories from that Champions League final run, including how much it meant to him, that will always stay with me.

Mark: I think he has unfinished business at Spurs. If Levy had supported him with signings when he asked, then I think our wait for a trophy would have been ended. We have struggled to fill the void since his departure and I would welcome him back with open arms.

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We are at the business end of the season and Tottenham still have silverware to fight for, despite inconsistent form of late.

We are putting our Spurs expert on the spot to answer questions on your Tottenham topic of choice.

BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella will answer a selection later this week.

Submit your question for Nizaar here

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Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says he would be open to a return to Spurs in the future.

"When I left the club I always remember one interview I said I would like one day to come back to Tottenham," the Argentine told Sky Sports.

"I am in the USA, so I am not going to talk about that now - but what I said then I still, after six years or five years, feel in my heart. Yes, I would like one day to come back."

What do you think, Spurs fans? Would you want Pochettino to return in the future, or should the club move on?

Tell us here

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

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Ange Postecoglou's days as Spurs manager have felt numbered for a while now. After yet another defeat in the Premier League on Sunday, that number is getting perilously low for the adamant Aussie.

The 'Ange In' faithful will reassure you to trust the process, arguing this manager has a clear plan to get Spurs back to winning ways by playing stylish football and that he has just been desperately unlucky with an unprecedented injury crisis.

However, the 'Ange Out' tribe have lost all patience in a manager who they feel is out of his depth and unwilling to adapt. They argue his style of play is, in large part, what created such a devastating series of injuries in the first place.

I sit somewhere in the middle. I desperately want it to work out for Ange, not because I feel particularly warm and fuzzy about the man himself – he's no Poch – but more because I cannot face another trip on the managerial merry-go-round.

Also, when Angeball works – as evidenced in the build-up play for our third goal against AZ Alkmaar last Thursday – it is a delightful experience.

One of my key concerns is that we do not have enough Angeball-type players on rotation to consistently execute this style and, instead of accepting that and adapting, Ange ploughs on regardless, resulting in some embarrassing performances and frustrating losses.

A lot of the players seem shell-shocked from spending the majority of the season surviving rather than thriving. Is this really all down to injuries though or are there deeper-rooted issues in Postecoglou's approach?

As the injured players return, we are about to find out the true extent of these issues – real and perceived – and, ultimately, if Angeball is more likely to fail or to succeed.

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external

Liverpool are ahead of Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle United in the race to sign 24-year-old Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. (Football Insider), external

Tottenham have identified Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Fulham manager Marco Silva as their top targets, should they part ways with Ange Postecoglou. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Ange Postecoglou missed an "opportunity" by rotating his squad against Fulham on Sunday, says former Premier League striker Wayne Rooney.

The Tottenham boss made seven changes to his starting XI from the one that saw his side through to the last eight of the Europa League on Thursday night.

However, it came back to bite him as Spurs lost 2-0 at Craven Cottage - their 15th defeat of a disappointing league campaign.

"I really like Ange, I think he is a top manager, but I just didn't understand the changes [against Fulham]," said Rooney on BBC MOTD2.

"You have got a responsibility to the fans who want Tottenham to do well and it is clear the fans are not happy with what is going on at the moment, both on and off the pitch.

"I thought this match was an opportunity to build on going through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League and give the Tottenham fans something going into this international break.

"I know as a player, when you lose a game going into that international break, it is horrible, there is no worse feeling. You have got two weeks thinking about the game.

"I don't think Tottenham are in a position where they can rest players and make as many changes."

Ex-Watford forward Troy Deeney agreed, adding: "When you look at Spurs, they are in a situation now where they're just hoping [to finish the season well]. You have got to go with your strongest team.

"[Wilson] Odobert just scored two goals - let him play. If he gives you 60, 70 minutes and he blows up then no problem, take him off, you've got 18 days [break].

"Keep that strong squad, get that momentum going and go into that international break [on a positive result]."

Watch the discussion back on BBC iPlayer

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Fulham and Spurs.

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Will: What a win. We always bounce back from poor games and we have shown that again. It's a tough run of games until the end of season but we play well against big teams so it's not over till it's over.

Bob: I listened on the radio and was nervous that we didn't put Spurs to the sword in the first half. We always seem edgy. We get into good positions but don't score. Muniz again finished well, and Sessegnon - who when at Spurs just couldn't get going - comes home and proves he has still got a lot to offer. Fulham are a family club, always has been, always will be!

Ash: We were average, some great moves but bitty in places. We've played better this season and lost. A win but can't build momentum - the international break tends to work against us. Still all to play for and chase down the teams above us. We will definitely beat our Premier League points total.

Spurs fans

Alexander: Another dismal performance - particularly in midfield. Why Ange insists on picking Bissouma I just fail to understand and then he takes him off at half time. This is the worst organised team I have seen since Spurs were relegated. Not many of your readers will remember the 1970s but I do!

Dave: Please can we be put out of our misery and start preparing for next season with another manager? We will not win the Europa League, our Premier League performances continue to be an utter embarrassment and we are lucky there are three teams adrift at the bottom - it's the same boring excuses week after week.

Tony: Same old rubbish. Didn't start playing until the second half, we can't keep the ball and can't seem to pass it too well either. We try to play football in the wrong areas instead of clearing the ball away from danger. Frankfurt will be licking their lips after watching this performance.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's three 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 the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Ipswich Town 2-4 Nottingham Forest

• AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford

• Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea

• Fulham 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

• Leicester City 0-3 Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur are one of several Premier League clubs tracking the progress of Inter Miami's American midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, 20. (TBR Football), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Spurs have lost 15 of their 29 league matches this season - their joint-most at this stage of a Premier League campaign (also 15 after 29 in 1997-1998).

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Tottenham overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat AZ Alkmaar and progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday, but they lacked that fighting spirit when returning to Premier League action at Fulham.

With Tottenham languishing in 13th place in the top flight, Ange Postecoglou could be excused for prioritising Europe, however, fans will still want to see more desire and hunger from their players during the remaining nine games.

Thursday's exploits against AZ may have influenced the performance at Craven Cottage with energy and ingenuity severely lacking.

Dominic Solanke, starting his second successive Premier League game after long-term injury, looked the most likely to score but he spurned three opportunities, including one at an open goal from five yards.

Postecoglou introduced Son Heung-Min at half-time against Bournemouth last Sunday and the South Korean scored a late equaliser, but he was unable to repeat that feat in west London after once again being thrown on at the break.

It is now thee games without a win in the league for Spurs as they look increasingly more likely to finish outside of the top 10 for the first time in 17 years.

Their lowest Premier League finish remains 15th in 1994 under manager Ossie Ardiles.

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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a tight game, it always is when you play here. I thought for the most part we were pretty comfortable. We had a big chance to go ahead and then we conceded a really soft goal and the game got away from us.

"Both goals were pretty soft. At the very least you want to stay in the game. I thought in the second half we were the better team and had the best chances up to that point. So to concede is very disappointing.

"It's been a difficult campaign for sure. But I feel we've lost too many games that we should have got stuff out of, and this was one of those games.

"It's another international break we go into off a loss and you feel that. We just need to make sure we're ready for when we come back."

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Tottenham Hotspur forward Jamie Donley is set to be called up to the Northern Ireland senior squad for the first time.

The 20-year-old will be drafted into Michael O'Neill's squad for friendlies against Switzerland at home on Friday and against Sweden away on Tuesday, 25 March.

Donley was born in Antrim and has previously played for NI and England at youth level, captaining England Under-19s.

The process for his international transfer from England to Northern Ireland is under way with Fifa, but he can make his debut in these games as they are friendlies.

Donley is currently on loan at League One side Leyton Orient where he has scored seven goals in 30 games, while his stunning long-range effort against Manchester City in the FA Cup led to an own goal.

He made his Premier League debut in December 2023 for Spurs against City and has made three further appearances for the club.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Fulham's performance

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

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

Tottenham have got a few players back from injury but how much will Thursday's Europa League tie against AZ Alkmaar have taken out of them?

Fulham have been very up and down at home, but I really fancy them here.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at Fulham (13:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Postecoglou said his squad is looking "pretty good" before the trip to Craven Cottage and everyone who played in Thursday's Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar "got through it well".

• Rodrigo Bentancur is available for selection after being suspended on Thursday, while Fraser Forster, Antonin Kinsky, Sergio Reguilon and Timo Werner are also all back after being ineligible in Europe.

• Kevin Danso, Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison remain sidelined by injury.

• Postecoglou said he thinks his side are returning to playing in the style he wants: "That's coincided with a couple of significant things. One is getting some players back and also the ability to rotate the team and keep the team fresh. We're getting our good ball players on the ball and looking sharp in the final third. Those things help us play the football we want to play and hopefully we can do it more consistently now."

• On Lucas Bergvall's improved discipline: "He's had to work on that. It's fair to say, when he first got here, the coaches spent a lot of time with him, working on his tactical awareness and being disciplined. At the start it took him a little bit of time. He tended to run too much. He's simplified his game and the coaches have given him feedback and he's taken that on board."

• Postecoglou praised James Maddison and Djed Spence after they were not included in the England squad: "Madders, in a really challenging season for us, has grinded his way through and his quality has really come through in the last few weeks - especially when we have been able to give him a spell of rest every now and then."

• On Spence: "Djed has been super this year. I always feel with these things, particularly with national team selection, it's never a kind of thing where you just draw a line through it. I have no doubt if Djed keeps performing how he is and Madders keeps working hard, Thomas [Tuchel] will be looking."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary of Fulham v Tottenham at 13:30 on Sunday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Tottenham have the best conversion rate of "big chances" in the Premier League this season (44.9%), while only Nottingham Forest have overperformed their xG more than Spurs (55 goals from 47.2 xG).

Tottenham and Manchester United both reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League with vital home victories in the last 16 on Thursday.

Spurs host Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals, with the winner of that playing either Lazio or Bodo/Glimt of Norway in the final four.

On the other side of the draw, United will face French side Lyon with the second leg taking place at Old Trafford. If they progress, they will play the winners of Athletic Bilbao or Rangers, the latter who they beat in the group stages.