I’ve just heard that Deigo Maradona has died today. May he rest in peace. I’ve seen him play for Spurs (Ossie’s Testimonial & The Rest of the World v The Football League at Wembley).
Preview: Tottenham Hotspur v Ludogorets Razgrad 8pm, Thursday.
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Before we go into that match, some news about fans coming back into the stadium. As you all have probably read we will be allowed back into the stadium, one caveat though; it will be limited to 4,000. Which, according to my calculations could end up costing the club more money (they will still have to employ staff, security, police etc.). Also; we have a 62,000+ seater stadium, which means that it is doubtful that you will get more than one peak this season (also depending on when this panic is over).
Jose Mourinho says the return of supporters to games provides “a good feeling” for his players and for the “passion of the fans”. True. Something Is better than nothing though.
As I said, a maximum of 4,000 fans will be allowed at outdoor events in tier one areas when the four-week lockdown in England ends on 2 December. Up to 2,000 people will be permitted in tier two areas but none in tier three.
Mourinho responded to this with, “First we have to see which tier London is to see how many fans we can have at a home match”.
The capacity across indoor and outdoor locations is limited to 50%, and a decision on which areas are in which tiers is expected this Thursday. So there you have it.
To the Europa match.
We are currently at the top of Group J on goal difference, with three teams level on six points after three matches. On top of that, we go into this match being at the top of the English league. This should boost our confidence even more, and no doubt we’ll fight like men possessed.
There had been doubts over the match taking place, with reports in Bulgaria suggesting some Ludogorets players had tested positive for coronavirus. However, that seems not to be true.
Team News
Sadly we will be without defender Toby Alderweireld when we play Ludogorets. He suffered a groin injury in the 2-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday, but it is not as bad as first feared. “He has a muscular injury but not as big as we initially thought,” said Spurs boss Jose Mourinho. He then went on and said, “He will have time to be out, but not like a month which was immediately what we thought. I would say between two and four weeks. It’s bad news. He was playing his best football. He’s an important player that we’ll miss.”
Matt Doherty is available again following a positive coronavirus test while on international duty, but Mourinho says forward Erik Lamela remains absent with a foot injury. Apart from that, we are ready to go. We have a good squad that should be able to cover every eventuality.
I am also expecting Bale to start.
My prediction 4-0.
I am expecting us to go out and clinically take this team apart and I am hoping for a high scoring game.
The best of the stats
Tottenham have won both of their previous meetings with Bulgarian opposition (2-1 v Lokomotiv Plovdiv, 3-1 v Ludogorets), with this the first time they’ve hosted a Bulgarian side.
Ludogorets have lost four of their five meetings with English sides in all competitions (D1), conceding 16 goals in the process. Their only previous visit to London ended in a 6-0 defeat by Arsenal in October 2016.
None of our past 16 home games in European competition has ended in a draw – we have won 11 and lost five. There have been 62 goals in these 16 games, with us scoring 40 and conceding 22.
Ludogorets have conceded four goals via set-pieces this season in the Europa League, the most of any side.
Ludogorets have faced the most shots of any side in the Europa League so far this season (62), while only five sides have had more attempts at goal than Tottenham (50).
So, there you have it. No doubt us fans are excited about this match. I will be watching the game on my phone app, as I did the previous Europa games.
Until next time, take care and Up the Spurs!!!!
Glenn
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1950s. In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London (it was in the late 50s – as a baby – that my dad took me to Spurs to initiate me). I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books (and have everyone printed), Spurs handbooks (from 1920s onwards, Spurs programmes (since the 40s).
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, going on holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”
