AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth renew rivalries with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday following two absorbing contests in the Premier League last season.
The Cherries host Spurs at Vitality Stadium (12.30pm kick-off), a venue where the North Londoners clawed back a 2-0 deficit to run out 3-2 victors in October.
However, the Dorset club gained revenge when they registered their first victory against Spurs in the capital, Dango Ouattara’s late goal sealing a dramatic 3-2 triumph.
Despite the high-profile departure of record goalscorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich, Spurs have made a fine start to the season under former Australia and Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou.
Appointed in June as Antonio Conte’s permanent replacement, Postecoglou has presided over a 2-2 draw at Brentford and a 2-0 home win over Manchester United.
Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal were on target against the Bees, while Pape Sarr’s first goal for the club and a Lisandro Martinez own goal earned them three points against the Red Devils.
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
Nicknames: Spurs, The Lilywhites
Record appearances: Steve Perryman – 854 games (1969-1986)
Record goalscorer: Harry Kane – 280 goals in 435 games
Head coach: Ange Postecoglou (appointed June 2023)
Club captain: Son Heung-min
Finishing position in 2022/23: Eighth
Leading goalscorer in 2022/23: Harry Kane (32 in all competitions)
Last game: Tottenham 2 Manchester United 0 (Premier League)
afcb.co.uk: Give us your take on the first two games of the season?
CE: They have been really positive.
Away to Brentford is always a tricky game and they had quite a lot go against them in the first half.
They went 2-1 down, lost Cristian Romero early on but they came back really well and could have won.
Last week was brilliant. They beat Manchester United at home and played really well in a massive game.
They rode their luck a bit and could have lost on another day but it’s been really positive so far.
afcb.co.uk: What are you first impressions of Ange Postecoglou (pictured above)?
CE: Great, really good. He plays great and attractive football.
He’s excellent with the media and has a real gift for saying the right things. He seems to understand the club and the players all love him.
Given all the Harry Kane stuff, I don’t think he could have made a much better start. It’s been a very assured first couple of months from him.
afcb.co.uk: What’s the mood among supporters for the season ahead in light of the Harry Kane situation?
CE: Kane leaving was a real moment but, actually, Postecoglou picked them up really quickly because he has been so positive and hasn’t dwelt on it. The fans have followed his lead.
After a few managers who didn’t play particularly attractive football, having someone who does, the mood is really excited and everyone is looking forward to the season rather than slightly dreading games as it was at the end of last season.
afcb.co.uk: What’s your verdict on a change of goalkeeper?
CE: Hugo Lloris has been with Spurs for 11 years and has been captain for the past eight years so it’s quite a big change.
But I think there was an acceptance that the way Postecoglou wants to play wasn’t really compatible with Lloris so he’s brought in Guglielmo Vicario (pictured above).
He had some shaky moments in the first game against Brentford but he was pretty assured against United and made some great saves.
It’s definitely too early to make any judgements on him but I think the move towards a different kind of goalkeeper makes sense and has been coming for a while.
afcb.co.uk: Who is their unsung hero?
CE: I don’t know about an unsung hero but I think someone people are going to hear a lot more about this season is Pape Sarr (pictured above)
He played and scored against United and I think he’s really going to come into his own this season and I think he will be noticed more widely than just at Spurs.
I think it could be a breakthrough season for him. He joined two years ago but was loaned straight back to Metz for the 2021/22 season.
Last season was his first proper season at Spurs but he didn’t make his debut until January.
But he was quickly thrust into the starting line-up in the North London derby against Arsenal and started at Milan in the Champions League due to injury and suspension and played really well. He also started when Spurs got hammered at Newcastle.
I think a lot of people thought he should have played more last season. Postecoglou really rates him.
He started against United and scored so there’s a decent chance he will keep his place against Bournemouth.
afcb.co.uk: Are any key players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?
CE: Rodrigo Bentancur, a great player and a key player, is a long-term absentee.
The main one Spurs are worried about is James Maddison (pictured above) who was outstanding against United but left the stadium on crutches and in a protective boot.
We will probably get a formal update about him in Postecoglou’s pre-match press conference. If he’s unavailable, that’s a big loss as well.
afcb.co.uk: How do you see the game panning out and what’s your score prediction?
CE: I don’t think it’s going to be easy.
These games were 3-2 away wins last season so I think Spurs know they are not going to have an easy game.
Tottenham haven’t always been able to build on big victories so I think it’s really important they do that. I think they will win but I think it will be close, maybe 2-1.
You can follow Charlie on Twitter – @CDEccleshare
Officials: Tim Robinson (referee), Timothy Wood (assistant), Mark Scholes (assistant), Geoff Eltringham (fourth official), John Brooks (VAR).
