Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Tottenham host north London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• His players have embraced the "unusual" two-week break but are itching to play again after a heavy defeat last time out at Newcastle: "You prefer games, absolutely, especially at this time of year and particularly when a lot of football is happening and you are not involved. But we have tried to use the time as well as possible, trained hard and now we are looking forward to having a game."

• He is not concerned the "really disappointing" performance at Newcastle will have a negative impact on this game: "It is not a reference point for Arsenal. The players have learned a hell of lot out of it but when playing such a big game, a derby, what has happened previously in the immediate past or further back is irrelevant."

• On the injury to Destiny Udogie: "It is a disappointing one for Destiny and for ourselves as well. He has been a big part of our year. It was an unfortunate incident in training but the op has gone well so hopefully that gives him pre-season to get back into it."

• However, Pedro Porro and Richarlison have both "trained all week" and will be available for selection.

• Postecoglou is looking forward to a test against their title-challenging neighbours and then in subsequent games with Chelsea and Liverpool: "Every time you are out there, it is a chance to measure yourself. I have a fair idea of where we are at, the progress we have made and what we need to make."

• He is relishing the chance to host a big game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: "This time of year you want to be playing for something. The games we are in will have something on them so I am looking forward to it. It is a chance to measure ourselves against teams we want to be challenging on a more consistent basis."

• On whether this is the biggest game he has had as Spurs boss: "I take every game seriously and that is one thing I try to impress on this group. Always feel the next game is the biggest game, but I understand the context of the north London derby and what it means for supporters. It will be a tough game, it will have a bit of an edge and will be played in a great atmosphere."

• He praised Arsenal and their boss Mikel Arteta: "He has done an outstanding job. He was recognised by the club as the man to lead them forward and they have supported him ever since. They have been disciplined in building a side for sustained success and they have been challenging now for the past two to three years to do that."

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In recent weeks, Ange Postecoglou seems to have started doubting the work ethic and desire of his team to get over the line. What has just crept in is him questioning a little bit of their mentality. They have got some difficult fixtures coming up for their run-in as well.

They have the north London derby at the weekend and Manchester City have to go there too.

It is a tough one. Can they make the Champions League? Yes they can, but they are going to have to perform away from home especially because their home games look really difficult.

That is one aspect where they have not been great and that has got to improve massively going forward.

They still look quite fragile defensively at times in how they play and it is clear this is not yet Postecoglou's ideal team.

He will want desperately to get over that line and go again in the transfer market this summer to prepare for next season.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min says their young side will "test ourselves against one of the biggest teams in Europe" when they face Arsenal.

The rivals meet on Sunday in a key fixture in Arsenal's chase of the title and Spurs' push for a Champions League spot.

"Obviously we're very young and we're still a little bit inexperienced because we're building a young team with new experiences," the forward said.

"Some of the players are in their first season in the Premier League. So look, we can test ourselves against one of the biggest teams in Europe and the Premier League, but also in the world.

"I think it's very important the way we play. Stick to our play, stick to our game. I think it's a very, very good test. As I said, it's against one of the best teams in the world so it's perfect (for us). You want to always have good competition and you always want to face the best teams in the world."

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur will head to Japan as part of their preparations for the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.

The squad will travel to Tokyo to play reigning J1 League champions Vissel Kobe at the Japan National Stadium on Saturday, 27 July.

There are also plans to meet the three official Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Clubs in Japan: Japan Spurs, Osaka Spurs and Kobe Spurs.

It will be the club's first visit to Japan in 33 years.

"As is club tradition, players and staff will be engaging with our fans, supporting good causes, and celebrating local culture throughout our time in Tokyo," a club statement said, external.

Head coach Ange Postecoglou said he is "delighted" to be taking Tottenham Hotspur to Japan, a country he is familiar with from winning J1 League title with Yokohama F. Marinos in 2019.

"Japan is a country I know well from my time managing there," he said. "It is full of passionate football fans.

"I'm looking forward to the players not only sampling the atmosphere of the Japan National Stadium, but also experiencing some local culture and supporting good causes while we are there."

Tottenham could make a £45m move for 28-year-old Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney, if there is a lack of competition for his signature. (GiveMeSport), external

Spurs are also well-placed to sign 24-year-old England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea this summer, despite interest from Newcastle United. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, Tottenham could offer Genoa the chance to sign on-loan English defender Djed Spence permanently, in exchange for the Italian side's 26-year-old Iceland striker Albert Gudmundsson. (Calcio Mercato - in Italian), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

It is, perhaps, appropriate that Tottenham have had time to pause and think before they launch into the next three games.

Having been thoroughly trounced at Newcastle United, it would have been perilous to embark on preparations for games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool straight away.

Spurs have tension, history and unresolved issues with all three of the teams they face next.

Ange Postecoglu has been desperate to shed so much of the baggage that the side has been weighed down with in the past.

His studious avoidance of questions about Champions League qualification is the most obvious attempt to draw the sting out of many of the jabs that have ground down Tottenham's spirits in times gone by.

So much of what has been surprising and joyous about Spurs this season has been their refusal to obey many of the football laws of gravity that have applied in north London for too long.

In covering Tottenham for two decades, I have always noted that there is usually a week, in the final third of the season, that defines a campaign.

In the past it has been in the latter stages of cup competitions or tricky ties in Europe. This time, it is all about the Premier League against familiar, haunting opponents.

The 'old Tottenham' may well be dead. In which case, the 'new Tottenham' that is still emerging will need to approach the next few days as fascinating challenges, rather than dark reminders of limitations of the past.

Dutch club Feyenoord are interested in Tottenham's 23-year-old Spanish winger Bryan Gil, who is expected to leave Spurs in the summer. (Standard), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's gossip column

A good time for a derby against your biggest rivals would be when you are confident and in form, scoring goals for fun, do not have any injuries to key players and the opposition is not having a particularly good season.

It is safe to say that is not necessarily the case right now for Tottenham before the north London derby against Arsenal.

Obviously, the fixture is always an important one for fans, but I would like to think the players know how important it is too.

I have no doubt the passion for this game will be there for the Tottenham players. What I am concerned about is the mentality. I would like to avoid a repeat of what happened against Chelsea earlier on in the season.

I am interested to see whether the system is tweaked a little, not only to accommodate the loss of Destiny Udogie, but also to perhaps allow for a focal point up front in Richarlison.

Hopefully we used the two-week break in fixtures to our advantage - focused on some weaker areas in our tactics during training (like set-pieces) and allowed for some recovery time too.

Our opposition in the meantime will have had plenty of games to play and prepare for, among which their Champions League campaign ended.

It is hard to say which is better for match sharpness - constantly playing so you can bounce back after a loss, or to have a break to clear the mind after a bad result.

Anna Howells can be found at Spurs XY, external

Image source, Getty Images

Monday, 22 April marks Earth Day - a day in the international calendar that provides the opportunity to reflect, make change and understand more about sustainability and the impacts of climate change.

Sport and football are not immune to these issues and there has been increasing awareness of their relationship to the environment over the past few years.

Football has a global footprint and, as it continues to grow, it has been subject to questions and criticism over some of the decisions that could hinder efforts in reducing its impact, including expanding Uefa cup competitions and the men's Fifa World Cup.

The effects of adverse weather related to climate change has been increasingly felt, with a study last year showing extreme weather has affected 40% of football players and spectators.

But, football and its fanbase also have an opportunity to be part of the solution, with clubs like Forest Green Rovers showing how the sport's environmental footprint can be reduced.

We have taken a look into some of the key things Tottenham are doing to become more sustainable:

• The club are a signatory of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework 'Race to Zero' and committed to halve carbon emissions by 2030 and become net-zero by 2040.

• They became the first in the league to deliver sustainability training sessions to all players across the men's and women's first teams and academy groups.

• The stadium and training centre are powered by 100% renewable energy.

• They have established an ecological habitat at the training centre, including trees, new plants and hedgerows, bug hotels and bat houses, wildlife ponds, green roofs and solar panels.

• They have locally and sustainably sourced food with plant-based options available across all club locations.

One important area all Premier League clubs can address to reduce their carbon footprint is their travel, as shown in BBC Sport research.

Why is this important?

Football For Future is a non-profit organisation working with stakeholders across football to create a more environmentally sustainable culture and founder Elliot Arthur-Worsop told BBC Sport: "Climate change will be the defining challenge of our generation, and the future of football will be affected too.

"We're already seeing the impacts, with more than 120,000 English grassroots games being called off annually, and major tournaments such as the World Cup and Afcon being moved because of extreme weather.

"Beyond the pitch, the climate crisis threatens livelihoods and global food and water security.

"With its unparalleled social influence, football has an opportunity to inspire global climate action, from micro-behaviours to essential policy change."

What would you like to see your club do more (or less) of to be greener?

Ange Postecoglou's style is amazing. But if you start to not get results then we go back to the old thing of the style being 'too progressive' now.

Ultimately it is all about results. The style only comes into play for so long but if you do not get results then the questioning is going to happen.

I do not see him changing it however - he has said that the whole time. At times, he might be able to slow it down and be more compact in some games. That might be one thing he can try.

But I do think he has already started to change things a little. They are not as gung-ho and they are not flying forwards and leaving it open as much as they have done at times.

As they now head into the final few games of the season and chase the top-four spot that looks to be needed for a Champions League place, you look at their fixtures and it is going to be very difficult.

They have the north London derby against Arsenal, they have Liverpool and they have leaders Manchester City coming up - those are two really difficult fixtures in the last six games. But they are going to have to start picking up some more results, especially with their away form.

As it stands though, they are sat in fifth. Is it exciting for the fans to watch? Is it taking them up off their seats? Yes it is.

Tottenham are interested in former Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry, with Bayern Munich willing to sell the 28-year-old Germany international. (Football Insider), external

Spurs are also leading the race for 24-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and are ready to make a move for the Englishman in the summer. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Tottenham and Bayern Munich have joined Manchester United in considering a move for Everton's 21-year-old English defender Jarrad Branthwaite. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Ange Postecoglou has, for months now, been determined not to get bogged down in whether his team will qualify for the Champions League.

He sees the whole exercise as unnecessary and unhelpful for several reasons. The prospect of relying on success in Europe for Arsenal or West Ham to turn fifth place into a Champions League spot is not something any Spurs fan would want to contemplate, let alone the manager.

Also, given Spurs’ run-in over the next month or so with huge games against Chelsea jammed into a schedule that already includes Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, setting points targets or expectations in this remarkably difficult season to predict would pile extra needless pressure onto his squad.

This Tottenham group remains new, young and relatively inexperienced. Having to play in those fixtures at this stage of a Premier League season would test the most seasoned campaigners. They have learned a great deal already so far this season and the next few weeks will show the manager how they react in this highly pressurised situation.

When you speak to Postecoglou, particularly after a game, he always seems to be absorbing and assessing what his team have just shown him. He is convinced this squad can and will improve next season, whether they finish in the top four (or five!) or not.

Champions League football would be a splendid prize in a year that was supposed to be all about rebuilding and consolidating after the restructuring over the summer.

He does not think that should be the barometer of success or failure like so many Tottenham teams in years gone by.

It is rarely dull at St James’ Park so as I tottered along on Saturday I confidently expected fireworks. The home side did not disappoint and the quality of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes should not be glossed over.

They were unstoppable, but what about Spurs!

It must have been shocking for Ange Postecoglou and all Tottenham fans to witness such an uncharacteristically insipid performance. But why did it happen?

Eddie Howe played a tactical blinder, exploiting the naively high defensive line. Will Ange ever change that? The answer is an emphatic no. There is also the fact that the high intensity ‘Ange-ball’ style wears players out over the course of a season. Postecoglou will fix that over the summer by increasing the squad size if he is given the funds.

The most obvious problem on the day however was that the normally brilliant Micky van de Ven had a shocker. I honestly thought he must have been wearing the wrong boots as he slid like Bambi on ice every time anyone threw him a dummy.

Maybe he was carrying an injury or was not getting enough cover, or we were just discovering that he does not have quick enough feet at close quarters for this level. We will find out soon enough.

On the positive side, others have had high profile disasters this season and recovered. Kieran Trippier had a toe-curling few weeks and Raheem Sterling had such a horror show for Chelsea against Leicester in the FA Cup that his own fans booed him off.

Best just ignore social media, blank the highlights on TV, then hope and believe it was just a bad day at the office.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra newsletter

Image source, Getty Images

Borussia Dortmund's magnificent victory against Atletico Madrid was great news for on-loan Manchester United star Jadon Sancho and Marcel Sabitzer, who left Old Trafford after spending the second half of last season on loan with Erik ten Hag's side.

However, it was bad news for England's chances of a fifth Champions League place next term.

Borussia Dortmund gained points for their match victory and a bonus for reaching the semi-final.

Those three co-efficient points are then divided by seven - the number of German teams who played in Europe this season - and added to their total.

It takes Germany onto 17.214, still trailing Italy, who have 18.428, but crucially, clear of England, who have 16.750.

The battle is not over yet but England could really do with Arsenal knocking out Bayern Munich tonight or West Ham reaching the Europa League semi-finals at the expense of Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday.

Tottenham are hoping to extend the loan of Germany and RB Leipzig winger Timo Werner, 28, rather than triggering their option-to-buy clause in the existing deal. (HITC, external)

However, Spurs will listen to offers for 23-year-old Spain winger Bryan Gil in the summer. (Football Insider, external)

Finally, the club are considering a move for Shakhtar Donetsk and Ukraine midfielder Giorgi Sudakov, 21. (Caught Offside, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

The last time I felt confident in Spurs’ ability to win a match was under Mauricio Pochettino.

Sure, the beginning of the season was wonderful but somehow it felt too good to be true. Recently, it feels like no matter how strong the team selection appears on paper, you never quite know what to expect on the pitch.

Postecoglou demands a lot from his players, so they all need to be in top form in order for his system and plan to succeed.

For better or worse, we win together as a team and lose together as a team. But, when one or more players are having an 'off day', be that physically or mentally, it affects the whole team because this system relies so much on each individual carrying their weight as part of the whole.

Our biggest strength is also our biggest weakness, and we have been exposed too many times in recent games.

We have loads of possession, but without much end product. Teams are happy to sit back and hit us on the break, where we have to rely on the speed of our centre-backs because our full-backs are too far forward.

We don't do nearly enough man-to-man marking during defensive spells and we certainly don't work on set-pieces enough.

What happens at the training ground? How are we struggling to perform when we only really had to focus on the league this whole season?

Hopefully this is just the messy start of a rebuild process - I suppose neither Jurgen Klopp nor Mikel Arteta had the perfect start.

Anna Howells can be found at Spurs XY, external

Tottenham have made an offer for 26-year-old Tosin Adarabioyo, as they try to beat Manchester United in the race for the Fulham defender. (Teamtalk), external

Meanwhile, right-back Djed Spence, who is on loan at Genoa, is one of several senior players expected to leave Spurs this summer. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Tottenham are tracking Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and could sign the 25-year-old for between £30m and £40m this summer. (Football Insider), external

Spurs are also interested in signing 21-year-old Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna in the summer. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Meanwhile, Bryan Gil could seek a departure from Tottenham. The club would be willing to let the winger leave on a permanent transfer. (Give Me Sport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

We asked for your views on Newcastle's 4-0 victory over Tottenham on Saturday.

Here are some of your answers:

Newcastle fans

Daniel: Brilliant game to watch. It seems we have our passion for winning back, like how it was at the start of the season. Happy Bruno didn’t get a card, as it means no suspension. Amazing performance from all the lads.

Simon: What a performance. Brilliant work across the field. Strong defensive shape with players supporting each other. Brilliant going forward. I think this is our strongest, most switched on, performance this season. Well done Eddie, staff and players.

Matt: Eddie Howe's tactics today worked perfectly. Gordon, Isak and Barnes terrorised Spurs' high line and when we needed to defend the flexible back five worked well. Anyone still saying Eddie should be sacked surely can’t be saying anything after this. So proud of this team with all the injuries we’ve had.

Spurs fans

Bryan: Another awful away performance with some quite atrocious defending. Do we actually employ any defence coaches? And, yet again, Postecoglou is shown to have no plan B and is seemingly incapable of adapting his tactics to curtail the opposition. He's starting to divide Spurs fans. Personally I think he's out of his depth.

Paul: Wow! Another shocking defeat, but an even worse performance overall. We lost every 50/50 challenge and the defenders were in a constant state of panic. For the first time since he took over I was disappointed in Ange’s leadership and tactics. We should buy Isak as soon as possible as we need a quality striker who leads the line and carries a goal threat.

Joseph: Watching Spurs is like Groundhog Day. Every match is the same. Constant sideways and backwards passes with no creativity or penetration to break down the opposition. And shocking defending, especially at set-pieces. You can guarantee they'll let in a goal from a corner, leaving someone a free header. Ange's honeymoon period is over. Sort it out!