Updates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage.
Latest updates
Sutton's predictions: Tottenham v Bournemouthpublished at 11:00 9 March
11:00 9 March
There has been talk about Tottenham wanting Andoni Iraola as their next manager if they sack Ange Postecoglou. His stock is very high at the moment, but the Bournemouth boss will just be focused on trying to secure a top-five finish.
Spurs' season is really all about how they do in the Europa League now rather than their league position.
They do have some of their big-hitters like Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero coming back from injury, but the question is how match-sharp will they be, and also how much Thursday's tie with AZ Alkmaar has taken out of them.
Bournemouth have already beaten Spurs once this season, winning 1-0 on the south coast in December.
The Cherries play forward quickly and I am expecting them to cause Spurs more problems this time. There will definitely be goals in this, but I reckon Tottenham will score a couple too.
'The trophy drought at Spurs is ridiculous'published at 14:07 7 March
14:07 7 March
Image source, Getty Images
Spurs fan Chris Cowlin spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast after his side fell to defeat against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.
"A very, very disappointing night for Spurs against AZ Alkmaar," Cowlin told listeners.
"We're sitting 13th in the Premier League table which is simply not good enough. We're out of both domestic cup competitions - the FA Cup, the League Cup - this is our only hope to win a trophy. Of course, we've gone without a trophy for 17 years. The trophy drought at Tottenham is ridiculous right now.
"All I would say to these players right now is do you want to be heroes or do you want to finish this season disappointed again and not qualify for Europe next season?
"Last night, we were not in the game at any point and Ange [Postecoglou] is blaming the pitch. Son [Heung-min] had said that this is a big wake-up call and [Guglielmo] Vicario at the end was telling the fans to be louder and more passionate - and these fans are spending hundreds of pounds on this club. I don't think the fans can do anymore."
On whether he thinks Postecoglou can turn things around he said: "The only positive is that it was only 1-0 last night because it could have been more. Hopefully, when Spurs are back in London next week, we can go through.
"The next round is going to be very difficult if we get there against Ajax or Frankfurt but you've got to be on your game, you cannot be using excuses about their injuries, because the team that was out there last night to face Alkmaar should have had more than enough quality to win that game."
Postecoglou on team news, Vicario's 'passion' and improving performancespublished at 11:43 7 March
11:43 7 March
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League home game against Bournemouth (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
"There is a chance" defender Ben Davies could return as he "has progressed and he's training".
Postecoglou said he chose not to risk Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero after looking at AZ Alkmaar pitch's, but after "a couple of extra days training they will both be in line to feature".
He said it is "too early to tell" if Dominic Solanke will be available, but he added: "It is a knock so hopefully it will settle down pretty quickly."
On the defeat by AZ: "We didn't perform and we are disappointed. The tie isn't over and we have them at home next week so we can focus on it after the weekend's game, which is my priority right now."
He denied there was a "lack of leaders", adding: "It wasn't about individuals, as a collective we were nowhere near the level we need to be."
On Guglielmo Vicario, who has received some criticism for his gesture to Spurs fans at full-time: "Vic is very, very passionate about this football club and what we are trying to do here. He wants to win and he wants everyone on board with that. If people think there's a bad bone in his body then they don't know him like I do. He is one of the purest human beings you can come across and he wants what is best for this team because he cares."
He said "last night was a reflection of where we are" but "inconsistency has come from not having a consistent line-up".
More on improving performances: "It's about consistency and performance - not about raising our worst level. There are different ways of tackling those challenges and making sure that, at the bare minimum, we compete and get the baseline performances up."
On opponents Bournemouth: "They've been really good, and they were last year. Aggressive with and without the ball. They have some really good players who are developing. We have a clear objective that we need to play well if we want to get a result."
Tottenham v Bournemouth: Did you know?published at 11:31 7 March
11:31 7 March
Image source, Getty Images
Following their 1-0 win at Vitality Stadium in December, Bournemouth are looking to complete their first league double over Tottenham.
Spurs have lost seven Premier League home games this season - their joint-most in a 38-game season in the competition (level with 1996-97). Only in 1993-94, when seasons featured 42 games, have they lost more (nine).
'No confidence and no idea' - fans' verdict on AZ 1-0 Tottenhampublished at 08:30 7 March
08:30 7 March
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Europa League game between AZ Alkmaar and Tottenham.
Here are some of your comments:
Kevin: It doesn't really matter if we do actually manage to win next week because, having watched the first half of the Ajax v Frankfurt game, there is no way that we could ever beat either of those in the next round based on the performance we displayed. Shocking.
David: Very ordinary night for Spurs. We were outfought and outplayed, and very fortunate to end up only 1-0 down. We have to be a lot better at home if we are going to progress further. I think Vicario was man of the match, which pretty much underlines how poor we were.
Joe: Think Spurs badly missed Kulusevski. Attack doesn't seem to click when he's not on the field, just as the midfield lacks creativity when Maddison isn't there. Not great given Kulusevski may be out a few weeks it seems.
Tommo: Yet another lacklustre display against a poor side. Ange really doesn't seem to have a clue at the top level and his lack of enthusiasm on the sidelines seems to transfer itself on to the players who apart from the youngsters stroll around seemingly happy with yet another defeat. Thankfully I was lucky enough to see a proper Spurs side in Europe, unlike these frauds to the shirt.
Ronnie: Dreadful. How can Postecoglou still have a job? Keeps promising they'll get better, but they only get worse.
Steve: Bergvall was unfortunate. Being totally inept until the 88th minute was ridiculous. What we're getting from the players is all the defensive frailty with none of the attacking and pressing intensity. Whose fault is that? I don't know whether the players are unable or unwilling to play his way or if he's unable to get it across to the players. Ultimately, though, I think the responsibility lies at Ange's door. Whatever the reason, it can't go on.
Steve: I thought Spurs wanted to win the Europa League? This was just another terrified, guileless performance. This was Spurs under Mourinho, Conte etc - no confidence and no idea.
Dave: Toothless without Kulusevski in attack. Son. Maddison and Tel diabolical. Free-kick between Son and Maddison one of the most embarrassing things I've ever seen. When it matters, we fall well short again and again.
Gossip: Spurs keen on Huijsenpublished at 06:56 7 March
'We just weren't aggressive enough'published at 20:33 6 March
20:33 6 March
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, speaking to TNT Sports: "Not a great night for us. Obviously, it's a disappointing result but a really disappointing performance.
"We never got a grip on the game, never really got control at any stage. We were always struggling both on and off the ball. It wasn't a great night, but it's only halfway and we're still in the tie.
"It was a tricky pitch and we didn't really handle it really well. Aside from that, we just weren't aggressive enough and we were way too passive in terms of the way we pressed.
"Too many times we were just circulating the ball without any real intent to hurt them. No fault for the goal, it happens. It's more about the collective tonight rather than the individuals.
"Collectively, we were nowhere near the level we needed to be and that's the thing we need to address."
AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham: Spurs remain in huntpublished at 20:20 6 March
20:20 6 March
Emlyn Begley BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
One of the soundbites of Spurs' campaign has been Ange Postecoglou's quote in September that he always wins a trophy in his second season with a team - a claim that is mostly accurate.
But Spurs will have to improve - starting with actually creating some good chances - next week if he is to have a chance of continuing that run.
The Europa League is Spurs' last chance of silverware this season. Fail to win the second leg and they will probably not even be in Europe next season, given they are currently 13th in the Premier League.
AZ, who are sixth in the Dutch Eredivisie, were deserved victors and could have won by more.
Their biggest chance to score a goal themselves came when Troy Parrott, who left Spurs for £6.7m in the summer, was sent through on goal but denied by the foot of Vicario.
Lucas Bergvall was unfortunate to score the own goal when Parrott played a ball across and the Tottenham midfielder badly sliced his clearance which Djed Spence was unable to head off the line.
Spurs' only registered shot on target was probably not even a shot - with Wilson Odobert's cross palmed away.
'Nowhere near where we should perform'published at 20:18 6 March
20:18 6 March
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's nowhere near where we should perform. It was very disappointing that we performed like this, including me. It's a big wake up call because next week is the biggest game of the season.
"I really don't think there was too much caution. It's always tough to play away in the Europa League. We didn't create anything in the first half, sloppiness, not performing the way we should.
"Everyone is very disappointed about the individual performance and the team performance, we have to look at ourselves. There is no excuses, we were not good enough. It's just 1-0, it's still not finished, and next week we have to be much better."
AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham - send us your thoughtspublished at 19:41 6 March
'I look back with a smile' - Parrottpublished at 08:26 6 March
08:26 6 March
Image source, Getty Images
AZ Alkmaar forward Troy Parrott says he has no regrets about leaving Tottenham and that it is business as usual when the two sides meet again in the Europa League.
Spurs face the Dutch side on Thursday for the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Parrott said: "For me, it just didn't happen [at Spurs]. I'm OK with that.
"I'm really enjoying myself here. I love life over here. Now I'm just focusing on where I am right now and trying to progress and keep getting better here.
"I look back with a smile. It's a place where I grew up.
"It helped me become the person and player I am now, so I can only look back on that with good memories.
"I think it was just the right time for both of us to move on. When I look back, I just think about the good times I had growing up there."
Gossip: Bissouma could exit in midfield refreshpublished at 07:52 6 March
07:52 6 March
Tottenham may offload Mali international Yves Bissouma, 28, in the summer as they seek to refresh their midfield options. (Football Insider), external
Trio in contention as Spurs eye 'great opportunity'published at 19:34 5 March
19:34 5 March
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham will be without Dejan Kulusevski when they face AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday (17:45 GMT), but manager Ange Postecoglou could have three first-team players available again after their respective injury problems.
Centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, as well as striker Dominic Solanke, have travelled to the Netherlands and will train with the squad on Wednesday before a decision is made on for how long the trio will feature.
"All three have been training with us and training well," Postecoglou told club media., external "I'll decide whether they get significant match minutes or not, but it's great to have them back.
"They feel good. They've been pretty frustrated not being able to help, but they're in a position where they can.
"In the last few weeks we've had [Guglielmo] Vicario, Destiny [Udogie], Wilson [Odobert] and [James] Maddison all come back and you've seen the impact they've had. I'm sure the guys coming back now will have equally as important an impact."
Spurs are aiming to win a first trophy since 2008 and Postecoglou says his players "really understand there is a great opportunity for us" in the Europa League.
"The club hasn't in recent years done well in this competition, but it's a major European competition, we're in the last 16, there's an opportunity there and we'll see how far we can go in it.
"We've got to make sure, whatever happens at the end of the game, we've still got an opportunity to go back to Tottenham and win the tie."
Goals expected between AZ and Spurs?published at 15:39 5 March
15:39 5 March
Image source, Getty Images
When AZ Alkmaar host Tottenham on Thursday, it will pit two of the competition's highest scorers against one another.
AZ have scored 19 UEFA Europa League goals this season, with only three teams netting more while Tottenham have got 17.
Scoring goals is nothing new for Ange Postecoglou's team. After all, they have the joint second-highest total for goals in Premier League too with 53, alongside Manchester City. Only Liverpool (66) have scored more.
Spurs have been leaky at the back because of injuries all season and AZ conceded 13 goals during the league phase - that is the highest of any team remaining in the competition.
Fair to expect goals in both legs of this last-16 tie.
Spurs have 'great opportunity' in Europa Leaguepublished at 09:29 5 March
09:29 5 March
Media caption,
Tottenham Hotspur supporter Chris Cowlin believes Spurs have a "great opportunity to go far" and potentially win the Europa League at the end of the season.
"We must go far in this competition," Cowlin told The Football News Show before the last-16 tie with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. "This is a great opportunity to go and lift the trophy.
"The next round will be very difficult - if we get past AZ, it's Ajax or Frankfurt. There are never easy games in any European competition, especially away from home."
Gossip: Spurs head queue for Diblingpublished at 07:33 5 March
07:33 5 March
Tottenham believe they are in the driving seat to sign English midfielder Tyler Dibling, 19, who is unhappy with the new contract offered by Southampton. (Talksport), external
What are the financial effects of Europa League success?published at 18:25 4 March
18:25 4 March
Media caption,
Professor Rob Wilson, a football finance expert, speaks to the BBC's latest episode of The Football News Show about the importance of progression to the latter stages of this season's Europa League for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
If either club should win the competition, they would qualify for next season's Champions League.
But, the post also shows him to have a protective boot on his left foot, amid reports that he will have a scan over a fresh injury concern.
Manager Ange Postecoglou will no doubt be pleased if his star man is happy off the field but it will also be a concern if he is out for any longer period of time.
Especially as the Europa League restarts on Thursday with a trip to face AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. The competition is effectively Spurs' last chance of winning a trophy while also offering a route Champions League qualification if they win the tournament.
