Media View: Expert insight on Tottenham

Phil Billing’s seventh goal of the season earned the Cherries a 1-0 victory against Leicester City at King Power Stadium, a fourth win in eight games in the top flight.

While the Foxes suffered a 6-2 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September, they are one of only two teams to have lowered the North Londoners’ colours in their past ten league games.

Rodrigo Bentancur’s opener was quickly cancelled out as Leicester triumphed 4-1 in February, with Wolves also taking maximum points from a 1-0 win over Spurs at Molineux last month.

Since losing back-to-back league games against top two Arsenal and Manchester City in January, Spurs have also exited the FA Cup and Champions League.

But they have also registered wins in the top flight against Fulham, Manchester City, West Ham, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Brighton to keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish.

Before beating the Seagulls last Saturday, late goals by Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, a penalty, and Everton’s Michael Keane prevented them adding to their recent win tally.

Spurs are currently under the charge of Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason after Antonio Conte left by mutual consent following the draw against Southampton.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Charlie Eccleshare who covers the fortunes of Spurs for The Athletic. 

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR PROFILE

Founded: 1882

Ground: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Nickname: Spurs, The Lilywhites

Record appearances: Steve Perryman – 854 games (1969-1986)

Record goalscorer: Harry Kane – 268

Acting head coach: Cristian Stellini

Club captain: Hugo Lloris

League position: Fifth

Leading goalscorer: Harry Kane (25 in all competitions)

Last game: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League)

afcb.co.uk: How would you summarise Spurs’ season so far and what are their realistic aims for the rest of it?

CE: It’s been action-packed and there’s been a lot going on what with the departure of Antonio Conte.

It’s been up and down as well and there have been some good patches but some iffy ones as well. Performances have generally been pretty underwhelming.

As for the rest of the season, they are desperately trying to salvage a top-four place which looks tough at the moment given where Newcastle United are.

If they can’t do that then fending off the teams below them and trying to get ahead of them in the race for the top six.

Ideally, they are still looking to secure a Champions League spot. We will have a better idea after Saturday how realistic that is.

And then certainly after a horror run of Newcastle (away), Manchester United (home) and Liverpool (away) – we will have a better idea then.

afcb.co.uk: Have you noticed any major changes under Cristian Stellini (pictured above)?

CE: It’s been pretty much more of the same in his first two games. It is only two games so there is scope for that to change.

In his defence and the defence he’s made, his hands have been a little bit tied by the injuries. He hasn’t really been able to do a lot with the formation or the personnel.

That said, some fans would still like to see a few more changes. But there's been nothing major so far. The system and personnel are pretty similar to what they were under Conte.

afcb.co.uk: Who has been the pick of their signings, either summer or winter window?

CE: It’s a tough question to answer because nobody who came in last summer has made a massive impact.

Arnaut Danjuma was signed in January but has barely played, Pedro Porro has played a bit more and looks promising.

It’s crazy but I’d probably go with Fraser Forster (pictured above) who they signed in the summer from Southampton.

He came in for Hugo Lloris for a long stretch and did fairly well. He was a really unheralded signing and, certainly relative to expectations, he’s probably been the pick.

afcb.co.uk: How has Arnaut Danjuma (pictured above) settled in?

CE: It’s hard to say because he’s been given such little playing time.

His minutes have been really scarce in the Premier League, he hasn’t started and has made two late substitute appearances.

He came on and scored in the FA Cup away to Preston. His impact has been minimal so far to be honest.

afcb.co.uk: Who is their most underrated player?

CE: That’s a tricky one.

I’d say underrated by the outside world is probably Rodrigo Bentancur (pictured above).

He’s currently injured and you can see how good he is partly by how much Spurs have struggled without him.

He’s such a classy player who makes everything tick. I don’t think outsiders realise quite how good he is because he’s an excellent player.

afcb.co.uk: Which Spurs player would you recommend for FPL?

CE: I’m sure he comes at a huge cost but Harry Kane (pictured above) is the obvious one given he’s scored more than 40 per cent of their Premier League goals this season and scores with such regularity.

In his new role, he drops deep and sets up a lot as well. Not as many as a couple of years ago but he has that in his locker as well.

You are rarely going to get a game where he doesn’t do something valuable so I’d go with him, as obvious a shout as that is.

afcb.co.uk: Are any key players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?

CE: Bentancur is the main one and his loss has been massive since he got injured in February. Yves Bissouma would come in for him but he’s injured as well.

We don’t know if Ben Davies will be back. If he was available, he’d be a shout for their most underrated player. He’s another big loss when he doesn’t play.

Richarlison (pictured above) sustained an injury against Southampton last month but he’s back now.

afcb.co.uk: How do you see the game panning out and what’s your score prediction? 

CE: I think Spurs will win but I don’t think it will be easy. I’ll go 3-1 with a late third to settle it after a relatively close match. 

You can follow Charlie on Twitter – @CDEccleshare 

Officials: Andrew Madley (referee), Harry Lennard (assistant), Nick Hopton (assistant), Andy Davies (fourth official), Tony Harrington (VAR).