Match report (Bournemouth) & Preview (Marseille)
The first half of our game against Bournemouth was diabolical. My thoughts were towards the manager and whether he should go; however, the second half was a different kettle of fish.
Before the crucial Champions League trip to Marseille, Conte said that fighting back to beat Bournemouth was “vital” for his side. You Think! I am sticking with Conte for the time being; give him a chance… but the team need to buck their ideas up!
Granted, we showed hunger and steadfastness to recover from two goals down, clinching victory when second-half substitute Rodrigo Bentancur attacked quickest in the second minute of stoppage time. Still, we shouldn’t have to have waited for the second half…
Conte said, “It was great to see the desire of my players and the reaction they had.” Agreed, but that desire should have started in the first half. Primarily we were flat as Bournemouth looked set to end a run of two successive defeats.
Their Kieffer Moore, swept the Cherries ahead following a flowing counter-attack. His second saw him outmuscle Emerson Royal to meet Adam Smith’s cross with a powerful header which went in off the bar.
Ryan Sessegnon narrowed the gap with a cool finish into the bottom corner. Then Ben Davies headed in from Ivan Perisic’s delivery.
We were starting to get our act together, we pressed, and our improvement was rewarded when Bentancur reacted quickest to side-foot in from another set-piece.
The relieved celebrations at the full-time whistle, from both the players and us, the travelling support, validated the importance of a morale-boosting win.
Previously we were beaten by Manchester United and Newcastle before a controversial draw against Sporting stopped us from securing a place in the Champions League last 16.
We were lucky (against the Cherries). But we all went home happy… now we must continue where we left off in the second half (and the second half against Sporting Lisbon) and secure our place in the knockout stages by besting Marseille and securing the top spot.
Match Preview: Marseille v Spurs
With everything still to play for on a final matchday in Group D, we will do battle at the Orange Velodrome on Tuesday, still vying for a spot in the Champions League knockout rounds.
We are one point clear at the top of the section, while Les Olympiens sit in fourth place but are still capable of upsetting the apple cart and qualifying for the last 16.
Match preview
Spurs
Harry Kane thought he had sent us through with a last-gasp winner, but after a three-minute VAR delay, the goal was ruled out for offside. After that, Conte was soon sent to the stands by Danny Makkelie for dissent.
Marseille Champions League form:
LLWWL
Marseille form (all competitions):
LWLLLD
Tottenham Hotspur Champions League form:
WLDWD
Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):
WWLLDW
Team News
Spurs
Richarlison is still out with a calf problem alongside Dejan Kulusevski and his troublesome hamstring issue.
According to Conte, Cristian Romero was a “big risk” for the clash with Sporting. Still, he ought to recover from his fatigue-related calf issue in time to line up here. He should be one of several changes alongside Bentancur, Eric Dier and Ivan Perisic.
A 3-5-2 setup failed to bear fruit at Bournemouth, so I imagine Conte could revert to a 3-4-3, despite needing a draw. Bryan Gil’s performance off the bench against Sporting was praised, but Lucas Moura seemingly has a better chance of lining up from the first whistle.
My predicted starting lineup:
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Perisic; Lucas, Kane, Son
My Prediction; 1-3
We need to win this game, so I am going for a confident 3-1win.
I am travelling with Mel, using Sport Options… it is a 24-hour round trip… no hotels… Just there, game, and back home. Coach trips have been arranged to the ground and back to the airport.
What I would say is that I am expecting trouble… Marseille fans can be destructive and dangerous. They caused a lot of trouble at Tottenham, and for their efforts (and trouble at other grounds), they will be partially banned from their own stadium. No doubt the TV stations will cover any problems.
Coys!
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, holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
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