Match preview: Rennes v Spurs (going or not going?)
Venue: Roazhon Park, Rennes, France. 16th September at 5.45pm.
Yes, going or not going… I was looking forward to going on my first Spurs trip abroad since Leipzig (Germany) in March of last year before the virus hit the world. I got my ticket (or I should say I was successful) however, I haven’t got the actual ticket (or even the exchange voucher) as it hasn’t come through the post yet. Nor has my written confirmation that I’ve had both jabs from the NHS, and without both, I won’t be going anywhere. Very frustrating, and on top of that, I can’t get through to Tottenham’s phone line.
Anyway, I will not cry over spilt milk, even though I will lose quite a bit of money if I don’t go.
Going to such matches isn’t just about the competition or even just watching Spurs, but going abroad and seeing different stadiums; giant or small.
Review
Rennes and we have suffered bad defeats of late, so both teams will hope to use this match as a bounce-back game.
We suffered our first defeat of the season by being beaten 3-0 at the hands of Crystal Palace (who hadn’t won a game until they faced us).
We had spent consecutive seasons in the Champions League from 2016-17 to 2019-20. After that, it was life in the Europa League until we were knocked out by Dinamo Zagreb in the last 16, and now we are in the Europa Conference League for failed European wannabe teams (that is how far we’ve sunk over the last couple of years).
Our game against Rennes will mark the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, however, the French team has already faced Chelsea and Arsenal in previous European tournaments, recording one win and three losses in the process.
Rennes Europa Conference League form:
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Rennes form (all competitions):
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Tottenham Hotspur Europa Conference League form:
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Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):
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Team News
We will remain without Davinson Sanchez, Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso due to quarantine rules. Tanganga’s sending off at Selhurst Park doesn’t affect his European place and could play.
As for Son, Ryan Sessegnon and Steven Bergwijn, they are unlikely to make their returns from injury just yet, while Eric Dier is also expected to miss out after going off injured against The Eagles.
I am sure that Nuno will give a chance to players like Bryan Gil, Pierluigi Gollini and maybe even Tanguy Ndombele. Especially Bryan Gil as he is a talent that we should be using as often as possible. When I’ve seen him play he has stunned the crowd with his work ethic and talent is beyond reproach (and he is still young and learning).
My possible starting lineup:
Gollini; Doherty, Rodon, Tanganga, Davies; Skipp, Ndombele, Winks; Clarke, Lucas, Gil
Thoughts and prediction
This is a difficult one to call because I don’t know what team Nuno will put out. If we had put out a stronger attacking side, we could have won at Palace. Instead, it was a defensive team, and we suffered the consequences for it.
In my preview and match report, I said that the Palace game would test Nuno’s mettle, and I am afraid he failed on the first hurdle. We’ve got Chelsea at home on Sunday, and I think that will dictate Nuno’s thinking. Because of that, we will either win by one goal or sadly it will be a draw (a defeat would be unthinkable), with everything to play for at our Tottenham stadium in the second leg. In the earlier rounds of this Europa competition, Nuno will be playing Russian roulette with the team until we start to face serious competition (if there is such a think lower down the European ladder). Therefore, depending on the team he puts out, my prediction is 0-1 to us or a 1-1 draw. Granted, I am hedging my bets, but Nuno is an unknown force where team selection is concerned.
Hopefully, I can sort out my paperwork for the game, and I will be there, but it is pushing it a bit close.
Be safe, Glenn
COYS!
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”
