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***OMT*** Tottenham Hotspur v Man Utd*** Europa League Final Wednesday May 21st, KO 8pm

It’s not a game that will be won, it’s a game that will be lost, we need to setup in a way that minimises our potential for mistakes.

We don’t want the ball, we don’t need creativity, we need to put pressure on them and punish when they cough it up.

We need to be industrial, pragmatic and cynical.
I hope we set up and play as well as we did in the away legs against Frankfurt and Bodø/Glimt.
 
The bbc website has a pick your combined sours/united 11. Van de ven is listed as a midfielder. Inside info on an ange tactical masterstroke or the normal beeb incompetence?
 
According to Talksport (i know!) they said United looked really good in the first half on Friday night and we should be worried as they will cause us problems?
 

Here is a comprehensive summary of the latest Golden Guest Talk Tottenham episode hosted by Rob Guest and Alasdair Gold (Football.London), which focuses heavily on Spurs’ build-up to the Europa League Final against Manchester United in Bilbao:




🎙️ Podcast Overview


  • Host: Rob Guest
  • Guest: Alasdair Gold
  • Main Topic: Preview and build-up to the Europa League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao.



🛫 Build-up & Travel Plans


  • Spurs fly out to Bilbao the day of the recording; Alasdair travels the next day with a complicated route via Seville and Vitoria.
  • Press conferences and open training sessions are scheduled at San Mamés Stadium.
  • The media is eager for the traditional "boarding the plane" footage to gauge player availability.
  • Weather in Bilbao is expected to be mixed—clear on Tuesday, possibly wet on Wednesday.



🏆 Reflections on 2019 Champions League Final


  • Alasdair reflects on the heartbreak of the 2019 final vs Liverpool, especially the early Sissoko handball.
  • This final is seen as a chance at redemption and legacy-defining for players like Son Heung-min.



🧠 Tactical Setup & Squad Insight


  • Strong indications Postecoglou has his starting XI mostly figured out based on resting key players during the Aston Villa match.
  • Likely Starters (from bench/rested):
    • Udogie, Van de Ven, Romero
    • Son (fitness permitting)
  • One key question: Will Ange play a 4-3-3 or adapt to a 4-4-2 to accommodate Richarlison, Solanke, Son, and Johnson?
  • Strong hint that Richarlison may start based on recent playing time patterns.



🤕 Injury & Fitness Updates


  • Lucas Bergvall: Not expected to start. Still recovering from an ankle injury and has only just removed his protective boot. Might make the bench.
  • Pat Matar Sarr: Suffered a knock vs Villa; fitness uncertain. Postecoglou used his notorious phrase “nothing too significant,” which has historically been misleading.
  • James Maddison & Kulusevski: Big misses in terms of creativity. Maddison particularly crucial in previous Europa League rounds.



🦸 Key Players & Performances


  • Son Heung-min: Showed glimpses of old form vs Villa. Likely to start, given his leadership, experience, and improved fitness.
  • Micky van de Ven & Romero: Expected to return and bring defensive solidity.
  • Solanke: Might start up top, possibly with Richarlison depending on formation.



🧪 Aston Villa Match Review (Last Game)


  • Spurs fielded a shadow XI.
  • Surprisingly compact and organized in the first half. Notable performers:
    • Kevin Danso: Solid at the back.
    • Ben Davies: Reliable.
    • Matisse Tell: Energetic and hardworking, though final-third quality still lacking.
    • Sergio Reguilon: Better than expected, possibly underused this season.
    • Brandon Austin vs. Kinski: Kinski started and impressed but isn’t Europa-registered, sparking minor criticism.
  • Substitution of Sarr for Bissouma shifted momentum negatively, with Bissouma looking distracted or reserved.



🔮 Final Selection Predictions


  • Team largely picks itself with only one or two spots up for grabs based on fitness.
  • Bergvall could be a late substitute if fit.
  • Tell is expected to come off the bench.
  • Alasdair and Rob agree: Son must start either on the wing or as a central creative force.



⚔️ Manchester United Perspective


  • United fielded a full-strength side against Chelsea, contrasting Spurs’ cautious approach.
  • Debate over whether keeping sharpness or preventing injury is the right pre-final tactic.
  • United’s recent final experience could be a factor, but Spurs arguably have better individuals man-for-man.



🏆 Spurs' Trophy Parade Plans


  • A parade is planned for Friday through Edmonton to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium—if Spurs win.
  • Authorities and local institutions have already been notified.



🗣️ Media & Player Interview Highlights


  • Spurs held a media day at Hotspur Way with interviews staggered until final day.
  • Published interviews so far:
    • Yves Bissouma
    • Kevin Danso
    • Upcoming: Micky van de Ven, Brennan Johnson, and Guglielmo Vicario



🧠 Final Thoughts


  • Despite the lack of elite creative midfielders (no Maddison or Kulusevski), Spurs still have enough firepower to win.
  • The final is expected to be tight, and player availability could tip the scales.
  • Fingers crossed for Spurs to bring home their first major European trophy since 1984
 

Here's a comprehensive and detailed summary of the Tottenham Hotspur fan livestream episode from the "DoSpurs" community:




🎥 Episode Context


This livestream was hosted by members of the DoSpurs community as a relaxed, fan-focused discussion aimed at Spurs supporters outside UK time zones. It included pre- and post-match discussion around Tottenham's performance against Aston Villa, speculation about their upcoming Europa League final vs. Manchester United, tactical analysis, and fan questions.




🏟️ Villa Match Review


General Sentiment​


  • The panel viewed the 2-0 loss to Villa as inconsequential and preseason-like.
  • Players, management, and even fans seemed mentally focused on the Europa League final instead.
  • Spurs looked passive, sat back a lot, and failed to generate quality chances.

Key Player Comments​


  • Son Heung-min: Showed glimpses of quality; likely to play a critical role in the final.
  • Mikey Moore: Still adjusting after injury. Talented but not yet ready for full responsibility.
  • Archie Gray: Praised for versatility and stepping up this season, despite being played out of position across multiple roles.
  • Richarlison: The ideal late-game impact sub—passionate, aerial threat.
  • Jed Spence & Mikey Moore: Lack of chemistry on the right compared to better synergy on the left side.



🧠 Tactical Breakdown


Why Spurs Struggled to Create Chances:​


  • Massive rotation and injuries impacted team fluidity.
  • Experimentation with formations and personnel ahead of the final.
  • No clear No. 10 role in the Villa game—attack felt improvised and fluid.

Notable Tactical Observations:​


  • Spurs often rely on high transitions and compact shape rather than sustained possession.
  • Bassouma and Bentancur preferred as double pivot midfield in finals due to balance and structure.
  • Odobert (Odair) might act as a rotating 10 in the final; showed potential with pressing and technical skill.



🔮 Europa League Final vs. Manchester United


Spurs’ Record vs. United this Season:​


  • 3 wins from 3 (including a 7-goal thriller and a tight 1-0).
  • Multiple formations used: high press, counterattack, low block.
  • Spurs have adapted tactically, while United still look vulnerable, especially defensively.

United’s Issues:​


  • Injury-ravaged defense: Maguire, Shaw, and Delict are makeshift or questionable.
  • Overreliance on Fernandes, Casemiro, and Ahmad Diallo.
  • Fans and pundits overrate United's “final pedigree”—the panel believes it’s outdated.



📋 Predicted Lineups and Selection Debates


Likely Starters:​


  • Front Three: Johnson, Solanke, and Son (or Richarlison depending on fitness).
  • Midfield: Bentancur and Bassouma, with Odair possibly floating.
  • Defense: Romero and Van de Ven are expected to start together for stability.

Injury Watch:​


  • Bergvall is back in training, creating hope he might appear off the bench.
  • Foot injuries are tricky, and there was debate over whether risking him is worth it.



🗣️ Fan Culture & Emotional Build-up


  • High emotional investment: Panel urges fans to “enjoy the run-up” to the final.
  • Final seen as crucial for squad stability and future planning—a loss would likely spark a major reset.
  • Fans feel battle-tested from years of near-misses and disappointment.
  • Clear frustration with UK media bias favoring United and dismissing Spurs' achievements.



🎯 Final Predictions


  • Panel predictions ranged from 1-0 to 3-1 in favor of Spurs.
  • Common sentiment: Spurs have the hunger, cohesion, and tactical advantage.
  • "Power of friendship" and emotional desire were cited (half-jokingly) as the intangible x-factors.

Dream Scenarios:​


  • Son scoring the winner = most romantic outcome.
  • Richarlison scoring a chaotic, deflected goal off his face after a crossbar ricochet.
  • Van de Ven or Pedro Porro scoring would produce the most entertaining celebrations.
  • Bassouma scoring a Wanyama-esque screamer was also a favorite hypothetical.



💬 Community Vibes & Callouts


  • Show emphasized camaraderie between global Spurs fans, especially non-UK supporters.
  • Acknowledged how hard it is to be a fan abroad: 4 a.m. games, lack of local Spurs supporters.
  • Expressed gratitude for Australian fans brought in by Postecoglou.
  • Advocated for more supportive, hopeful Spurs discourse in contrast to UK media negativity.



📺 Conclusion


The stream ended on an enthusiastic, optimistic note. Win or lose, the hosts encouraged fans to fully embrace the buildup, support the team, and hope for a historic Europa League title.


"Love each other and love each other when we win the final too."
 
None of that will matter. It will be chaos. Like watching a game of under 9s. It's completely unpredictable.
Their game against Chelsea wasn't chaotic. While there was a clear quality deficit they were solid and frustrated Chelsea for large parts of the game. I do feel that if they employ the same tactics we will struggle to create chances without Maddison and Kulu and our defensive frailties will give them a big chance at least once in the game. They were also impressive against Bilbao who are a very good team. Just struggle to see us winning 2bh.
 
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