• Dear Guest, Please note that adult content is not permitted on this forum. We have had our Google ads disabled at times due to some posts that were found from some time ago. Please do not post adult content and if you see any already on the forum, please report the post so that we can deal with it. Adult content is allowed in the glory hole - you will have to request permission to access it. Thanks, scara

*** OMT - Tottenham Hotspur v AZ - 6.3.25 ***

I hope we pick a strong team, because a win (ideally by more than 1 goal) should be the objective here. That'll force them to have to play more openly in the 2nd leg, which should allow us to score a couple of goals all but assuring we get through. So I would pick a team assuming this is a must win.
 
Am very excited for this

I'm thinking we might see Romero start with VDV/Solanke on the bench

Vicario
Spence Romero Danso Udogie
Maddison Bergvall Benatcur
Johnson Tel Son

I fancy we will win to 0 and it be a comfortable evening
 

Comprehensive Summary of the Press Conference​

Team News & Player Availability​

  • Dejan Kulusevski (Decky) is the only player who hasn’t traveled due to a foot injury. Despite training and playing with it, the issue persisted, leading to further investigations. No surgery is needed, but he’s unlikely to return before the international break.
  • Ben Davies is still working on his recovery at the training ground.
  • Richarlison is also continuing rehab at the training ground.
  • Returning players Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and James Maddison have traveled with the squad. However, their match fitness and readiness to start will be assessed in training before the game.

Cristian Romero’s Argentina Call-Up​

  • Ange Postecoglou was asked about Romero’s selection for the Argentina squad despite his recent injury. He emphasized that clubs have no say over international call-ups.
  • He expressed no concern about Romero featuring for Argentina if he is fit, noting that getting game time could be beneficial after his time away from the pitch.

Micky van de Ven’s Fitness​

  • Van de Ven is fully training and feels confident. The team has taken a different approach to his recovery this time.
  • His return to match action will be carefully timed based on how he feels when playing.

Yves Bissouma’s Ski Resort Visit​

  • Postecoglou dismissed concerns about Bissouma posting pictures at a ski resort, confirming that the players had time off. He trusts them to use their rest time wisely.

The Importance of the Competition​

  • Postecoglou acknowledged that Spurs haven’t performed well in this European competition in recent years but sees an opportunity to progress.
  • He emphasized that they are in a strong position in the Round of 16 but must focus on their upcoming tough matches against AZ Alkmaar.

Squad Belief & Readiness​

  • The team has benefited from a period of recovery and training with a full squad.
  • The return of key players has created a sense of hunger and desire within the squad to finish the season strongly.
  • The break allowed for better training intensity and preparation, which has helped the team get into a better place.

Challenges in Reintegrating Players​

  • There is no such thing as an "easy" game to ease players back into action. Every match is high-intensity and requires top performance.
  • The key focus is ensuring returning players are ready rather than finding a low-tempo game for them.

Tactical Approach Against AZ Alkmaar​

  • AZ secured a strong result in the last round against Galatasaray, demonstrating their quality.
  • Spurs need to ensure they remain competitive in the away leg to bring a positive result back to Tottenham for the second leg.
  • Postecoglou, having previously played in this stadium with Celtic, understands the challenge posed by AZ’s home crowd and emphasized the need for Spurs to control the game’s tempo.

Key Takeaways​

  • Spurs are dealing with injuries, but several key players are returning.
  • Romero’s international call-up is beyond the club’s control.
  • The team has regained confidence and fitness after a period of struggles.
  • There’s a strong determination to progress in the European competition.
  • Spurs must manage AZ’s home advantage wisely to maintain a strong position in the tie.
 
Gutter Boy said:
Where would you play Gray if we've got our first choice back 4 fit to start?
Click to expand...
I would play him as defensive/holding midfield but don`t expect our clueless manager to do this or even play any other way than usual. Everyone bomb forward and then leave us wide open at the back on the break with someone unmarked at the back post. I wouldn`t mind after nearly 2 seasons if our win rate was improving but I just do not see any improvement week in week out
 
markysimmo said:
I'm thinking we might see Romero start with VDV/Solanke on the bench

Vicario
Spence Romero Danso Udogie
Maddison Bergvall Benatcur
Johnson Tel Son
Click to expand...
I agree he won't throw in both Romero and VdV.
I think you're right he will give Romero the first half, if he comes through that, give VdV the second half maybe.
I guess it depends how truly fit Solanke feels... would like to see the same team as you but with Solanke up top

Vicario
Spence Romero Danso Udogie
Maddison Bergvall Bentancur
Johnson Solanke Son
 
Last edited:
Notice Liverpool got completely squashed back into their own box tonight, playing a 5-5-0 formation, hanging on for dear life as Allison wins Man of the Match and they somehow scratch a late winner.

That is what you need away from home in the first leg, just stay in the tie, stay in the tie, fight and pray and don't make silly mistakes and ride your luck and then take your 1 chance.
 
AZ Alkmaar come into this game in very decent form, winning six of their last eight games in all competitions, and progressing through to the next round of the KNVB Cup final after being Heracles 4-3 via a penalty shoot-out. Their home form in Europe has also been exceptional, winning four and drawing just the one of their five matches at the AFAS Stadion so far, something Spurs should definitely be aware of that and will know they will be in for a tough game.


Former Spurs academy Troy Parrott is the red and whites front man these days, after he was brought in to replace the Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis, who went to Benfica. The Irishman has four goals in eight starts in the Europa League this term, and tallying up another twelve in twenty-three starts in the Dutch top flight - so he's averaging a goal every couple of games, proving he knows where the back of the net is, and he'll be looking to prove to the North Londoners why they shouldn't have let him go!
The game will kick off at 18:45PM local time (17:45PM UK time) and will be shown live on TNT Sports 3 and Discovery Plus in the United Kingdom, with coverage beginning at 5:00PM.
 

AZ Alkmaar's Parrott has 'no regrets' about Spurs stint​

Troy Parrott celebrates

Parrott has scored five goals in 25 appearances for the Republic of Ireland

AZ Alkmaar forward Troy Parrott says he has no regrets about his time with former club Tottenham as he prepares to face them in the Europa League last 16.
The 23-year-old had his pick of the top clubs as a 15-year-old with Manchester United, Emirates Marketing Project and Chelsea all interested.
He decided his future was with Spurs, but it didn't work out for the Republic of Ireland international and he made just four senior appearances before being sent out on loan spells in the second and third tiers of English football.
In 2023, he sought a new challenge in the Dutch first division.
"For me it just didn't happen [with Spurs]. I'm OK with that," Parrott said.
"I look back with a smile. It's a place where I grew up. I moved away from home quite young, so when I went there I was in a phase of going from a kid to a teenager and then past that.
"It helped me become the person and player I am now, so I can only look back on that with good memories."
Parrott is now flourishing in the Dutch top-flight after Tottenham sold him to AZ Alkmaar in July 2024 for £6.7m following a season-long loan at Excelsior, who were relegated from the Eredivisie last season despite Parrott scoring 17 goals in 32 appearances.
This season he has featured in all 38 of AZ Alkmaar's matches in all competitions, starting 34 and coming on as a substitute in four with a tally of 17 goals.
"I'm here, 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," he said.

Parrott has already been reunited with his former club once this season, with the two meeting in the Europa League group phase in October where Spurs won 1-0.
"I feel we're in a better position now than we were when we played the first time," Parrott said.
The striker struggled for opportunities during his stint at Spurs and many fans called on then-manager Jose Mourinho to hand him more minutes.
But the minutes did not come and in 2020 he moved to Millwall on loan before heading out to Ipswich, MK Dons, Preston and eventually Excelsior.
He has previously discussed his struggles with living up to "the hype" that followed him in his early career and said the media attention "used to get to me a bit".
Parrott is now thriving in the Netherlands and his goal scoring record speaks for itself.
"I want to score in every game and tomorrow is just another game to try to do that. It would be nice for me, it'd be nice for the team also, so let's see," he said.

Parrott has scored more goals than any Spurs player this season in all competitions but still sits some way off former Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who has a remarkable 31 goals in 34 games for Bayern Munich in 2024-25.
He has been fit for every one of AZ Alkmaar's matches this season and revealed the use of a cryotherapy chamber has enabled him to stay fresh and free from injury.
"Yeah I try to do the best I can in the short space we have to recover," Parrott said.
"It's [cryo] something I have picked up and it benefits me in trying to recover as well as I can in the couple of days we have to do so.
"I can't tell if I am fully recovered or not but I feel like for me personally it helps. It's really cold, -120C, so I go in there for three minutes and for me I feel like it helps."
A turbulent season for Spurs with injuries to key players means they have been unable to rely on just one player to score the goals.
Their top goalscorer this campaign is Brennan Johnson with 14, while Dominic Solanke has 11 and Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min each have 10 across all competitions.
Tottenham qualified automatically for the last-16 while AZ Alkmaar beat Galatasaray to progress from the play-offs and book their place.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back