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Later on this afternoon, Spurs will welcome bottom of the table Southampton to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, for match day 31 of the Premier League season. It is one of the non UK televised 14:00 kick off slots. Coming into the game, Southampton still need two more points to ensure they are not statistically the worst team in Premier League history. Insert something about Dr Tottenham.Â

We have said all week that this game feels like a chore. Premier League games have been a chore for a while, but in particular the one before the Europa League quarter final first leg on Thursday evening. Nevertheless, let’s get this one out of the way. Â

How both managers have chosen to line up for the game this afternoon

For the task at hand today, Ange Postecoglou has opted for a line up of; Vicario; Porro, Romero, Davies, Spence; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son. Â

Meanwhile, on the bench; Kinsky, Udogie, van de Ven, Odobert, Tel, Richarlison, Sarr, Bissouma, Gray. Â

So, the report suggesting that Maddison and Son would be rested proved to be incorrect, though van de Ven has indeed been rested. Not sure Son, at his age, and with his miles on the clock, playing just a few days before the Eintracht Frankfurt tie is completely optimal. Furthermore, Romero playing also feel like a risk. But let’s see.Â

 Richarlison is back in the match day squad fo the first time since the Carabao Cup semi final second leg. Moore has been left out of the squad as a result, which feels like a shame. It is clear that, although this game in general is a dead rubber, Ange is clearly absolutely desperate to get a win of any kind on the board.Â

Meanwhile, Southampton manager Ivan Juric has tasked the following XI with trying to avoid unwanted history; Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning; Aribo, Fernandes, Ugochukwu; Dibling, Archer, Sulemana.Â

In addition, the visitors will be officially relegated – in the first week of April – should they lose to Ange Postecoglou’s side today. It would make them the first ever Premier League side to be relegated on match day 31 of the season. Â

Just before we finish, it would be unfair for us not to mention and shout out those protesting before the game. Huge respect to each and every fan for making their voice heard. Good to see. Â

Over the weekend, there were plenty of games for Tottenham Hotspur loanees. We have already covered the Championship here, and League One here, if you wish to catch up on the loanees playing in those leagues. Here, we will round up the rest of the action in the UK. Â

How things went for the rest of Spurs' UK based loanees on Saturday

Just before we fully begin – George Abbott missed Notts County’s game at Colchester United due to a knock he picked up in the win over MK Dons in midweek. In his absence, Notts fell to a 1-0 defeat, which allows Colchester – the side just outside the play offs – to be six points behind them. They have 68 points from their 41 games so far.Â

Next up for Notts is a home game against Salford City on Friday night, for a 19:45 BST kick off. Fingers crossed that the Spurs loanee is back for that game. It is clear that Notts need him, with an abject performance today without him.Â

In the National League, Luca Gunter was named as a substitute for Wealdstone for a second game in a row, which is pretty alarming. In his absence in midweek, his replacement made three saves and kept a clean sheet in a huge win against Boston United. This time they hosted third placed Forest Green Rovers.Â

 In this one, Wealdstone pulled off a huge 2-1 win, having gone behind. These three points have left the Stones in 18th place in the National League table, with 48 points from their 41 games. They are now five points above the relegation zone, albeit having played one more game. Â

Next up is an away game against table toppers and local rivals Barnet on Saturday, for a 12:30 GMT kick off.Â

Meanwhile, North of the border, we finally have a start – and appearance of any kind – to report on, as Alfie Dorrington started for Aberdeen in their Scottish Premiership game away to Ross County.Â

After 33 minutes, Aberdeen took the lead. That goal proved to be crucial, as it ended up being the only goal of the game for either side, securing all three points on the road for Aberdeen. Dorrington played the whole 90 minutes, making 13 clearances to more than play his part in the clean sheet.Â

This win leaves the Spurs loanees’ side in 4th place in the Scottish Premiership, with 49 points from their 32 games. Next up is a home game against Rangers on Sunday, for a 12:00 GMT kick off. Â

On Saturday afternoon, there was Championship action for three Tottenham Hotspur loanees. In one of the three early kick offs, Will Lankshear and his West Bromwich Albion side hosted Sunderland, whilst in the 15:00 games – Ashley Phillips and his Stoke City side faced Preston North end on the road, whilst Yang Min-hyeok and his Queens Park Rangers side hosted Cardiff City.Â

How things went over in the Championship for Tottenham Hotspur loanees

To begin, Lankshear was named on the substitutes bench by West Brom manager Tony Mowbray, meaning he had still started just one game in the first two months of his loan. After 35 minutes, Sunderland took the lead. The Baggies made all five of their allocated subs in the second half, the fourth of which was Lankshear, who came on after 79 minutes. Â

Unfortunately, West Brom could not find a way back into the game, and they were condemned to a tough 1-0 defeat – leaving them outside of the play offs, sitting in eighth place, with 57 points from their 40 games. Â

Meanwhile, Phillips was named in the Stoke starting XI by manager Mark Robins – his 29th in the league this season, which have come under three different managers, just to give you an idea of the turbulence this season. Â

After 10 minutes of the game, Preston took the lead, quickly evaporating any chances of a clean sheet. Stoke were the better side for much of the second half, but went into the half time break one goal down.Â

In the second half, Stoke continued to play well, and eventually got their reward 15 minutes from time, as they equalised from the penalty spot. Despite dominating the game, that was how it finished – and the Potters were forced to make do with a point. Phillips played the 90 minutes, and made nine clearances. That is 2542 league minutes this season for the Spurs loanee.

Although in theory, a point away from home against a side above you in the league is nothing terrible, quite a few of the other results did not go Stoke’s way. They sit 20th in the Championship, with 43 points from 41 games – two points above the bottom three, with better goal difference.Â

For QPR’s game, Min-hyeok was named in the starting XI by manager Marti Cifuentes, this time starting off the left hand side of a front three. The game proved to be an incredibly lowkey and dull affair, finishing 0-0 with few opportunities for either side. Min-hyeok played 61 minutes before being replaced.Â

This draw leaves QPR in 16th place in the Championship, with 46 points from 40 games – they are not definitely out of any relegation scrap. That is just two points from their last seven games now.Â

As there often is in the Championship – there is a full midweek slate of action. On Tuesday, Stoke host Luton Town, whilst West Brom face Bristol City away from home. On Wednesday evening, QPR face Oxford United on the road. All games kick off at 19:45 BST. Â

This weekend, Spurs will partake in the deadest of dead rubbers, as they host Southampton on Sunday, in one of the non UK televised 14:00 BST slots. It really is one of those games that feel ike a serious chore. The atmosphere around the place has not been this bad since the last few games of Antonio Conte. Â

During their game in midweek, Southampton conceded a late equaliser at home to Crystal Palace – which denied them overtaking Derby County’s unwanted record of being the worst ever Premier League team, with 11 points. They would have gone up to 12, but they had to make do with being stuck on 10.Â

We are all thinking it, aren’t we? Be serious, who actually read that and did not think “Dr Tottenham” or something similar. That said, we did say this about the reverse fixture, where Spurs scored after 30 seconds and were 5-0 up at half time. Things do feel worse than then admittedly. Â

On Thursday evening, Ange’s side will host Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter final. Everybody knows that game is infinitely more important than this game against Southampton on Sunday afternoon. Â

It’s a huge hypothetical, but every Spurs fan would accept the humiliation of losing to Southampton and allowing them to beat that points record, if it meant progressing against Frankfurt. As pathetic as it would be, the priorities. Again, very hypothetical – a team losing to Southampton wouldn’t beat the third best side in Germany.Â

Owing to the lack of importance of the game on Sunday, it has been reported by Dan Kilpatrick that Ange is set to rest Heung-Min Son, James Maddison and Micky van de Ven are set to be rested for the game. Â

Spurs trio set to be given rest for visit of Southampton on Sunday

You’d hope that is just three players he is aware of, rather than everyone – it would not be ideal to have Cristian Romero out there. A central defensive partnership of Ben Davies and Archie Gray would be fine. Yes, we have wanted Gray to play in midfield. This is an irrelevant game we are talking about here. Â

One thing that could, maybe, enthuse the fans on Sunday is a start for Mikey Moore. We know he won’t start against Frankfurt – why not give him a go against Southampton – it would be a great opportunity for him to grab his first goal for the club. Â

Although the summer transfer window does not open for a couple of months yet (clue is in the name, really), the formalities of transfers are often completed, or at least begin, between both windows. As a result, things get leaked, and there are plenty of rumours that go with it. Â

Clubs will certainly at least show an interest in players, begin to scout them, and perhaps make enquiries, which will again lead to rumours – some accurate and some of them less so. Â

Spurs are a good example. They have been linked to several players in recent weeks – whilst a few players have been linked with a move away from North London. We will have to see what happens regarding those potential moves in the coming months. Â

Another player to be linked with a move to Spurs is midfielder Lamine Camara of Ligue 1 side AS Monaco – that is according to English media publication GiveMeSport, whom are often quite accurate when it comes to transfers. In the same piece, they mention the continued interest in Angel Gomes.

Spurs readying a bid for highly rated AS Monaco midfield star

The midfielder is considered to be one of the best talents to come out of Senegal. According to the report – Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in the player, which can only be a positive in terms of the player’s ability to have that calibre of club interested in his services. Â

As for the player himself, he only turned 21 at the start of this year, and yet already has 29 caps for the Senegal national team, with an impressively tally of six goals to his name in that time. He was apart of the Senegal side at the Africa Cup of Nations last year, playing alonside Pape Matar Sarr in two games. He scored a brace in a 3-0 win over Gambia in the group stages. Â

It is actually crazy how many young players Spurs get linked to. In isolation, there is nothing wrong with that – but the club do need more players in their prime. Perhaps in some cases, maybe even one or two players that are a little past their peak, but with plenty to still offer as a well as wealth of experience that this squad clearly needs. Â

To be fair to Camara, for a 21-year old, he already does have a fair amount of experience. He has already played 54 games in Ligue 1, nine games in the UEFA Champions League, and as mentioned above has 29 caps for Senegal already. Â

One thing to slightly be cautious of is there is an AFCON next season. It is set to be more brutal to teams with African players this time round, as the tournament starts in December, meaning that the players will be unavailable during the hectic Christmas schedule. Â

We have really approached the ‘business end of the season’ for 24/25. Over the next six weeks or so, many promotions/and or league titles and relegations will be confirmed, as well as European spots and play off campaigns. It is all about to get very exciting. Â

This weekend will be no different – and with it, there are a number of games for Tottenham Hotspur loanees, with the season getting particularly exciting for a couple of players. Let’s take a look at how this weekend’s action looks for them. Â

In the Championship, Will Lankshear and his West Bromwich Albion side will host Sunderland at 12:30 BST on Saturday. The game will be live on Sky Sports red button for those of you in the UK. Meanwhile, Yang Min-hyeok and his QPR side will travel to Wales to face Cardiff. Meanwhile, Ashley Phillips and Stoke City will face Preston North End away from home. Both of the latter two games kick off at 15:00 BST on Saturday. Â

Meanwhile, in League One, Josh Keeley and Jamie Donley’s Leyton Orient side will host Wigan Athletic. Elsewhere, Matthew Craig and Mansfield Town will face Charlton Athletic away from home – the Spurs loanee marked his return to the team with a goal in midweek. Both games kick off at 15:00 BST on Saturday.Â

Down in League Two, George Abbott and his Notts County side will face Colchester United away from home. In midweek, Notts gave their hopes of pushing for an automatic promotion spot absolutely no harm as they beat MK Dons 3-0. Kick off here is 15:00 BST. Â

In the National League, Luca Gunter’s Wealdstone will host Forest Green Rovers. The Spurs loanee was dropped in midweek, with his side pulling off a huge 1-0 win against relegation rivals Boston United in his absence. Kick off here is 15:00 BST. Â

North of the border, Alfie Dorrington and his Aberdeen side will face Ross County away from home. Last time out, the defender scored his first goal in professional football, as the Dons beat Motherwell 4-1. Another 15:00 BST kick off for this one. Â

On the continent, Alejo Veliz’s RCD Espanyol side will play Rayo Vallecano on Friday night, for a 20:00 BST kick off. Meanwhile, Bryan Gil’s Girona are set to face Alaves on Saturday at 13:00 BST, although he is set to miss this one through injury.Â

Finally, over in Belgium – Luka Vuskovic, Alfie Devine and KVC Westerlo will host OH Leuven in the Belgian Pro League. That game will kick off at 17:15 GMT on Saturday.Â

On Thursday evening, Spurs returned to action as they faced Chelsea away from home for match day 30 of the Premier League season, as they played their second game in West London in a row.

For the task at hand, Ange Postecoglou opted for a line up of; Vicario; Spence, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison; Odobert, Solanke, Son.

How things played out at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening

Within the first minute of the game, Nicolas Jackson was allowed to run clean through on goal for the hosts, but his effort was well saved by Vicario. From the loose ball, van de Ven's clearance deflected off of Jackson onto the post. Insane let off. Already.

After 18 minutes, Cole Palmer was allowed way too much time and space in the box, as he tried to square the ball for Enzo Fernandes, who seemed ready to tap it in, but there was Udogie to make a crucial intervention. Very good defending.

Around a minute before the break, the ball fell to Jadon Sancho - whose curling effort was tipped over the bar by Vicario, fortunately the shot was central enough for the keeper to get there. A good stop nonetheless. Soon after, Romero and Trevoh Chalobah were both booked after an argument.

Half-time, 0-0. That half most certainly happened. It was definitely a half of football, for sure.

Five minutes into the second half, a Palmer cross was headed home by Fernandez. Brilliant defending from Spurs, as always.

Five or so minutes later, it seemed as if Moises Caicedo had doubled the lead for the hosts, but after a VAR check of four minutes, the goal was disallowed. Semi automated technoglogy really cannot come soon enough.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Ange looked to his bench - as Johnson and Sarr replaced Odobert and Bergvall. Thought the latter was one of the very, very few respectable (not amazing, but better than the low bar set by everyone else) performances from a Spurs player. That sub gives the vibes of Steven Bergwijn replacing Lucas Moura in Nuno's final game in charge.

Not long after, van de Ven had a somewhat presentable opportunity from a corner, but could not make his effort hard enough for Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal. It was just a third effort of the game for Ange's side.

Almost straight after Sarr actually had the ball in the back of the net after a strike from range, but after a VAR check, the goal was disallowed for a foul on Caicedo. Ultimately, the correct decision, and the game remained 1-0.

With a few minutes remaining, Tel and Porro replaced van de Ven and Morrison. With less than a minute of normal time left, Johnson burst past Marc Cucurella down the right before squaring to Son - whom sliding in, could not get the ball past Sanchez from a few yards out. The ball was a little bit strong, but still. Big opporunity.

Later on this evening, Spurs return to action, 18 days after their last game, as they face London rivals Chelsea. For many fans it feels like when you’d go back to school after two ½ weeks off for Easter or Christmas. Furthermore, it is the only game of the Premier League gameweek that is on at the same time as the Darts. Now that really is a shame.

Nevertheless, back to the football. It is hard to be enthused by a game that means a little as tonight. It feels like a serious chore. You could argue Ange needs a win for his future – but does he? He will be sacked if Spurs do not win the Europa League. He won’t be sacked if they do. It feels as simple as that. Really.Â

Should Spurs win every single league game but not win the Europa League, he will go. If they lose every single league game but win the Europa League, he will stay (if he wants to). That said, a win would certainly go a way to trying to help the atmosphere around the club.Â

How both teams are lining up at Stamford Bridge in the game this evening

The XI he has tasked with doing so is as follows; Vicario; Spence, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison, Odobert, Solanke, Son. Meanwhile, the substitutes bench consists of

Kinsky; Porro, Davies, Gray, Bissouma, Sarr, Moore, Johnson, Tel.Â

For the first time since the reverse fixture, van de Ven and Romero start a Premier League game together. Let’s pray they can participate longer than that game, especially Romero. It is a very attack minded midfield, certainly one with plenty of creativity in it. A little surprised to see Udogie in over Porro.Â

Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca has opted for a line up of; Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson. Â

Typically, having previously had a knock, Cole Palmer is fit to start this game. Although he has not been in the best form in 2025, you would still much rather he was not playing. Similarly, Nicolas Jackson is in for his first game since the second of February. Â

With three points here, Ange’s side have the opportunity to rise to the dizzy heights of 13th in the league. Exciting. If that doesn’t motivate the players, it is hard to know what will. Â

So far this season, there has been a lot of debate about Ange Postecoglou – both within the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase, and from the wider footballing world. There are not many managers that split opinion more than the 59-year old. Â

That said, within the fanbase, it feels like there has been a more unanimous opinion of him of late, with a lot of fans now in agreement that he is not the man that Spurs should continue with. Some fans want him to go now, whilst others would like him to go at the end of the season – or at the end of the Europa League campaign. Â

The feeling of many is that, if not for the adventure in Europe, Ange would already be out of a job by now. Regardless of any context, the league campaign has been completely unacceptable, and Spurs were knocked out of both domestic cups within a three day period back in early February. Â

So, many have decided that although they do not think this season has been good enough, they are willing to see how the Europa League campaigns. Perhaps not the most impressive season in that time, but it would objectively be Spurs’ best season in 17 years if they are lifting a trophy in Bilbao in May. Â

According to high level journalist Fabrizio Romano, the club feel the same way – with the manager’s hopes of keeping his job “now strictly linked” to Spurs’ performances in Europe, according to Romano. Â

Ange Postecoglou seemingly must win Europa League to save his job

We can probably assume that by performances he means how far they go in Europe. They aren’t sacking him for a hard fought aggregate win over Frankfurt – yet they may sack him for an exit that comes with two good performances. Wouldn’t take “performances” as literally as it may sound. Â

Nevertheless, this report checks out with what many have thought, and hoped for. It all comes down to Europe. Five games, essentially, to save his job. They will not be easy – not by any means. Â

Although Frankfurt lost talisman Omar Marmoush in January, they are still a very good team – with striker Hugo Ekitike wanted by some of Europe’s elite this summer. Despite losing Marmoush, they remain in third place in the Bundesliga, and have won only three fewer games than Bayer Leverkusen. Â

In League One, as we truly enter the business end of the season, there was a full slate of fixtures in midweek. With it, there was action for Tottenham Hotspur loanees. Josh Keeley, Jamie Donley, and their Leyton Orient side faced Burton Albion on the road, whilst Matthew Craig’s Mansfield Town hosted Charlton Athletic. Â

How things went for Tottenham Hotspur loanees down in League One

As usual, both Keeley and Donley were named in the starting XI by Orient manager Richie Wellens. This was Keeley’s 29th start of the League One season, whilst it was start number 25 in the league for Donley (and 32nd overall league appearance). Â

After 10 minutes, Orient made a great start to the game as they took the lead – a goal that was good enough to have them ahead at half time – in a very end to end affair with plenty of chances for both sides – one of those being for Donley five minutes from time, but he could not convert from around eight yards out.Â

In the second half, the O’s had a lot more of the ball, but it was their hosts creating the chances. Their early pressure at the beginning of the half paid off when they equalised on the hour mark following a rebound. Â

Then, just four minutes after, Burton completely flipped the game on its head, as they took the lead for the first time in the game. From there, they were able to see the game out with relative comfort, condemning Orient to a tough 2-1 defeat away from home. Â

During the game, Keeley made three saves, whilst Donley was replaced by former Spurs academy player Dilan Markanday after 81 minutes. Although he missed a good chance, he also created an opta defined big chance that was not taken, so could have had an assist on another day.Â

This defeat leaves Orient in 10th place in League One, with 59 points from their 39 games so far. Â

Next up, Matthew Craig reappeared from the wilderness to start for Mansfield in their game at home to Charlton. It was only his third appearance for the Stags since joining in January, and first start in the league. Â

After 22 minutes, the visitors took the lead – a goal that looked like it was going to be enough to give them the lead going into the break, but out of nowhere – Craig marked his return to the side with his first goal of the season with a superb strike. After a cross into the box was headed away, the Spurs loanee ran onto the ball to strike the ball fiercely into the back of the net. Â

Unfortunately, Charlton retook the lead after 74 minutes and saw the game out to win 2-1, meaning Craig’s sublime strike counted for nothing in the end. Still, great to see him back playing, and scoring a goal to go with it. He played 65 minutes in this one. Â

This defeat leaves Mansfield in 17th place in League One, with 47 points from their 39 games to date. Â

Next up for Orient is a home game against Wigan on Saturday at 15:00 GMT, whilst Mansfield face Huddersfield Town on the road at the same time. Â