Tottenham Hotspur

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Spurs are daring me to dream again.

After a woeful few months full of injuries and some abysmal results, glimmers of light are starting to shine in this team.

For the first time in what feels like forever, there is hope on the horizon.

One player who knows a lot about not giving up is Djed Spence. His impressive performance against Ipswich Town brimmed with creativity, courage and perseverance. No room for doubt or time for haters here, this is the reward of years of hard work and learning the lessons – even when some teachers deliberately make it difficult.

In fact, Spence's own redemption arc could turn out to be a perfect prelude for the wider team's salvation this season. After all, there are still prizes left to play for.

Although it is tempting to think the league is insignificant now, it is more than worth keeping an eye on because a European football spot could be secured for next season.

We have an extremely healthy goal difference compared to a lot of teams around us and, as our players returning from injury, other teams are starting to suffer from losing theirs. A late surge up the table is more than possible.

More excitingly though, and perhaps more importantly for the future of this manager and his team, is the prospect of lifting the Europa League trophy in May.

No competition at this level is ever easy, but looking at the teams left in the Europa League, we have to believe we can beat them. We certainly have to try.

So yes, Spurs are daring me to dream. In turn, I am daring Spurs to do.

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Tottenham have opened talks with Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur over a new deal, with the 27-year-old's current contract set to expire at the end of next season. (Mail, external)

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Sam Ashoo
Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Who doesn't love a good redemption story? The protagonist in this one is Djed Spence. The right-back was Tottenham's standout performer on Saturday, yet again balancing tough tackling with gliding, twinkle-toed runs down the wing.

Spence's move to Spurs looked destined to be a failure. He barely featured under previous managers and even Ange Postecoglu admitted making it "difficult for him" earlier this season.

But the former Nottingham Forest player is now rapidly becoming one of the first names on the teamsheet.

His ability to drive forward opens up space for the right-sided attacker, which was Brennan Johnson at Ipswich.

The problems posed by Spence allowed Johnson freedom to drift inside, scoring twice in the first half and ultimately killing the game before the half-hour mark.

His first Premier League goal, and the celebrations in front of the away fans that followed, capped a perfect afternoon for Spence.

The next chapter of the story? Quite possibly an England debut next month.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Ipswich and Tottenham..

Here are some of your comments:

Ipswich fans

Paul: Too many changes every game and Kieran McKenna needs to find a settled first XI. Defence is weak though and we are not scoring enough so that is a recipe for relegation. A step too far this season after two amazing seasons but proud of the club and we will bounce back next year.

Tony: Ipswich have to play with a back three, if only to accommodate Leif Davis at left-back. There is an argument to use a traditional left-back in both away and home matches but needs must. We have a good right-back in Axel Tuanzebe once he is back in the fold. Once Sammie Szmodics is back, it will strengthen the left but Omari Hutchinson is far more effective on the right.

Oscar: £130m spent to attempt to stay in the Premier League is an obscene amount of money and proves you need more than money to create a winning team. This is a disjointed squad with McKenna not knowing how to manage them all. Ben Godfrey would run through trees at Norwich and Everton and their fans loved him. Here he looks clueless - that has to come from the coaching team.

Alex: For all his good work, Liam Delap needs to pass. Should have been two up in the first five minutes and then twice we allowed Son Heung-min too much time. Criminal. Have to question the team selection.

Spurs fans

Richard: Nervy start, and never comfortable until the third goal, but winning becomes a habit. High energy from Destiny Udogie, great finishing from Brennan Johnson and Son was close to his impactful best. Three more first-teamers to come back. Let's think positively.

Andy: Wow - a run of three wins in a row! But I don't care about the league table anymore. What's important is that we have most of our players back with plenty to choose from as we go into the serious phase of the Europa League knockouts. It's good to see us being sharper and putting chances away, which we will need to if we are to get that trophy. I now feel it is well within reach.

John: A win is a win. But Ipswich had 17 shots and five on target. It's a lottery how Spurs play. Both teams have loads of shots and it just depends who gets lucky. Sorry Ange - nothing has changed.

Paul: From the abyss, we have seen Djed Spence and Archie Gray step up and be counted. We have a long way to go to compete with the elite, but what a foundation. So, it's 'One small step for Ange - one giant leap for Tottenham'.

Tottenham are willing to sell Manor Solomon this summer, with Leeds United - where the winger is currently on loan - and Everton interested. (Givemesport), external

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

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Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Leicester and Brentford.

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

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

• Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It's been a tough season for Tottenham Hotspur, but Saturday's win at Ipswich Town was the latest sign that things might be falling into place for Ange Postecoglou's side.

A third consecutive league win - the first time they have achieved that since December 2023 - was a well deserved product of Spurs' resilience and attacking efficiency.

A few months ago Spurs would have capitulated during an early Ipswich storm, but Postecoglou saw his side grow into the game and take their chances when they came.

Son Heung-Min was superb on the left flank and caused the hosts problems no-end, while Brennan Johnson rediscovered his scoring form of earlier in the season.

In goal, Guglielmo Vicario provided another reminder of how sorely he was missed during Spurs' run of seven Premier League games without a win.

With the likes of Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven set to return from injury in the coming weeks, Spurs look to be in a good position to finish the season strongly.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, speaking to Sky Sports: "They're one of the hardest-working teams in the league.

"You know you're going up against a battle and a contest - we had to do that today. First half, we could have done better. We allowed them some moments, but in the second half we dug in.

"That allowed us to execute and play our football.

"When you come to a place like this, the crowd creates some energy - we had to weather that storm.

"We were always a threat. Sonny [Son] was unplayable in that first half. So great to get Brennan [Johnson] back. He scores so many goals for us in those areas."

On players returning: "The fact that we can throw people on from the bench who can contribute. I could give Madders [James Maddison] and Pedro [Porro] a rest today - everyone gets a boost.

"From our perspective, these last two weeks have given us a breather and reset our football. I'm pleased the boys have embraced it."

On Europe: "Look, it's a couple of games now, but for us, where we were was unacceptable. It wasn't for lack of effort from the players.

"We have still got Europe, but we feel like we can make an impact, and we have to move up the table."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Ipswich's performance

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

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

Ipswich got a great battling point against Aston Villa last week but wins are what they need in their situation at the bottom of the table.

They beat Tottenham earlier in the season to get their first victory of the campaign and another one would be absolutely massive for them.

I really hope they do it - not for me, but for my daughter's teacher, Mr Fields who is a big Tractor Boys fan. But this game is big for Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou too.

Having James Maddison back fit obviously helps Spurs, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also played really well against Manchester United on his return from injury too.

So, while my first thought was that Ipswich could get some joy from playing on the counter-attack, I am going with a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

There are seven Premier League games on Saturday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Manchester United (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Wolves

• Ipswich v Tottenham

• Southampton v Brighton

• Arsenal v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Crystal Palace

• Aston Villa v Chelsea (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live (coverage will start on 5 Sports Extra)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Ipswich Town (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no new injury concerns and Postecoglou is hoping to give more minutes to Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison and Destiny Odogie over the next two matches. All five of those players returned from injuries in last week's win over Manchester United.

• "Pedro [Porro],[Dejan] Kulusevski, these kind of guys, we've got an opportunity with the players we've got back to still maintain good levels of performance, but also give them a little bit of a rest," Postecoglou added.

• He also said Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven could be available "around" the international break, adding: "Richarlison and Dominic Solanke are not too far behind."

• He was also asked about the Europa League last-16 draw and called Tottenham's opponents AZ Alkmaar "tough". "They're a familiar opponent and we played them here at home," he said. "We knew they were likely opponents. They did really well against Galatasaray."

• Asked whether his team were targeting the Europa League, he said: "Europe is at the forefront of our minds. There are 13 games to go and we're not happy with where we are in the league. Our form has been very inconsistent."

• On facing Ipswich, Postecoglou pointed to a need to add to momentum, stating: "Obviously our last two Premier League games, Brentford away and Man United at home, have been two important results for us to kind of try and arrest the form in the league, but you need to keep doing that and backing that up. Tomorrow's an opportunity to do that."

• He added: "It's not easy when you're playing against a team that's fighting like Ipswich are but it is an opportunity for us now to get another strong performance, get another positive result and hopefully provide a bit of a foundation for us to kick on."

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

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The Europa League round of 16 draw has been completed.

• Bodo/Glimt v Olympiakos

• Fenerbahce v Rangers

• Ajax v Eintracht Frankfurt

• FCSB v Lyon

• AZ Alkmaar v Tottenham

• Real Sociedad v Manchester United

• Viktoria Plzen v Lazio

• Roma v Athletic Club

The first legs will take place on 6 March, with the return meetings the following Thursday.

Read more about the Europa League schedule on our live page

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola would be Tottenham's preferred candidate to replace Ange Postecoglou if the Australian leaves. (Talksport), external

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

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Image source, Getty Images

Only Everton (63%) have scored a higher share of their Premier League goals this season in the first half of games than Ipswich (61% - 14/23). Meanwhile, Tottenham have conceded a higher share of their goals in the opening 45 minutes than any other side (57% - 21/37).

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is top of Tottenham's list if they decide to replace Ange Postecoglou, who has been in charge since June 2023 but is under pressure following a poor run of results. (Talksport), external

Want more news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

There were lots of positives to take from our game against Manchester United on Sunday - not least the result. At this stage of a hugely disappointing league campaign, it is all about getting as many points as possible until the end of the season.

The positive performance of James Maddison in particular, however, inadvertently highlighted something that has been a negative for Spurs for a while now. All the focus on our injuries in defence and the need for an additional striker has led to a blind spot in our midfield.

After a series of productive displays from Pape Matar Sarr earlier in the season, he has been inconsistent and poor by the standards he had previously set. Watching him play, it does seem as though fatigue is a factor here.

Perhaps tiredness is also to blame for Yves Bissouma's offerings - or lack of. He has looked like something of a passenger in his role, unable to get a handle on his responsibilities - particularly his defensive ones.

It is slightly trickier to analyse Rodrigo Bentancur as his season has been a bit stop-start - partly because of concussion injuries, and also Ange Postecoglou rotating him with Bissouma.

Whatever the explanations or excuses, there has been a distinct lack of efficiency from our defensive midfielders. Ironic then, that it took an attacking midfielder in the shape of Maddison to help us out defensively on Sunday.

Maddison's movement on and off the ball caused a headache for United's midfield and, in occupying their attention, he also nullified their threat.

Hopefully Maddison and others can stay fit. With the return of key players and everyone having more of a rest, progress is being made.

There can be no break in focus though if we want to finish our season on the up.

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