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'Big call' - Huge Heung-Min Son contract claim made by former Premier League striker

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Tottenham have been told to make a huge decision on the future of club captain Heung-Min Son.

The South Korean superstar is coming to the end of his current contract in north London but is currently in sporadic form as Spurs struggle.

Defensive injury issues have hampered Ange Postecloglou's team in the Premier League.

They have, though, reached the League Cup semi-finals where they will face Liverpool, and are well-placed in the Europa League too.

Son has 13 goal contributions 21 appearances across all competitions but wasn't anywhere near his usual self against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

That form has led former Premier League striker Tony Cascarino to query if the 32-year-old will get the new deal he wants.

And he believes there is a chance the next five months could be his last in north London, insisting sometimes difficult decision need to be made.

He told talkSPORT: “I don't think Son will stay at Spurs. No, I don't. I think it's one of them that you've got to make a big call on as well.

“He's been brilliant for them over the years, but it's time to move on in football sometimes.”

Tottenham do have the option to extend the South Korean's deal but talks are ongoing over a renewal.

However, Cascarino is insistent it would take a big resurgence in form for Spurs to pull the trigger on a new deal.

He added: “He will survive, or they would definitely keep him, if he had a second part of the season that was superb.

"If he has that season where it hasn't really worked to now, and then he goes and gets 15 or 12 goals in the second part of the season, plays well, then Tottenham will probably use that option.

"But as it is today, I think it's more likely that he could go.”

Son, now the club's all-time top assister in Premier League history, is not the only top-flight star in this predicament.

Kevin De Bruyne is in the same bout but Cascarino believes Man City's decision about retaining the Belgian playmaker relies on how fit he is.

He added: "It's another big call for Manchester City, because if it's a fit Kevin De Bruyne, then you've still got one hell of a talent. He still won't lose his ability to pass the ball.

"But they look a team a little bit like Manchester United. They're running out of legs on the pitch in many different positions.”

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood is also out of contract in the summer - and has been in fine form.

Cascarino, though, believes he should easily be able to claim a new contract from his current employers.

He added: "I think Chris Wood, Forest will try and give him another year, because he doesn't rely on pace.

"You're talking about a player that never has to think about, 'Oh, he's lost half a yard'. It doesn't matter if Chris Wood loses half a yard.

“If you've got Anthony Elanga one side and Callum Hudson-Odoi the other, and Morgan Gibbs-White joining him, and Elliot Anderson joining him as well, you don't really need to worry about that.

"He could do another year, no problem. So I don't see that as an issue.”

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Tamworth spark controversy with ticket prices for Tottenham FA Cup clash

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Non-league club Tamworth FC have sparked a backlash from football fans after revealing ticket prices for their upcoming FA Cup showdown with Tottenham.

However, some supporters are pointing the finger directly at the Football Association and insisting one-off price hikes will become more common after the decision was made to scrap replays.

National League North champions Tamworth will welcome Premier League Spurs to their 4,000 capacity Lamb Ground on January 12 in the third round of the FA Cup.

It’s one of the biggest games in the Staffordshire club’s history and fans would have been buzzing to get their hands on a ticket ever since being drawn against the top flight giants at the beginning of December.

There was even a video of a group of young supporters going wild at the club’s stadium as they watched the draw live and discovered their big-boy opponents.

However, some of them might have been left dumbstruck on Saturday morning when Tamworth released how much tickets to the game will cost - in a huge rise from their regular matchday prices.

The most expensive seat for an adult in the main stand will set fans back £42, while a ticket for a child under 10 in the same area will cost £29.

That's compared to regular matchday prices of £20 for an adult and £4 for an under 10.

A spot in the terraces are generally a few pounds cheaper, but against Spurs it will cost £25 for a child under 10 - a ticket the club usually gives away for free in a regular season game.

It’s led to a huge reaction from the wider football fandom, not just supporters of the club, with some reacting with anger and accusing the club of ripping them off and profiteering from a high-profile game.

“How short sighted are these prices,” one X user wrote. “A chance to repay and respect the fans that go and support you every week, and instead you release this monstrosity. Shameful.”

“That pricing is an absolute disgrace,” posted another. “You should seriously reconsider what you’re doing. What a joke.”

Another was a little more blunt with their message, saying: “29 quid for under 10’s? You having a f****** laugh!”

Tamworth FC declined to comment on the ticket prices when approached by talkSPORT.

Other supporters understood, though, with many saying it’s inevitable clubs further down the pyramid will hike prices after being robbed of a potential replay after the FA’s recent rule changes.

“This is what happens when you scrap replays,” one fan wrote on X. “Not surprising that a small club is trying to maximise the fixture.”

One Tottenham fan also backed the prices: “Good on ya! The ones that will want to come will pay - the moaners will watch it on the TV anyway. Generational fixture make the most out of it! COYS!”

“Everyone going after Tamworth for ridiculous prices but no one’s remembering that this is what happens when you scrap replays”, another posted on social media.

“Come on - they deserve their pay day,” said another. “Football at this level is funded from an owner’s pocket. They are not owned by some multi conglomerate organisation with billions behind them. Let them have their pay day thus securing another 12 months of overheads paid.”

Tamworth have never played higher than the fifth tier of English football in their entire history, having only returned to the National League this term after being crowned National League North champions last season.

This isn’t the first time they’ve reached the FA Cup third round, but they will hoping it will be fourth-time lucky as they look to win a third round tie for the first time.

They’ve previously reached the third round in 2005/06 when they were beaten by Stoke, in 2006/07 when they were beaten by Norwich and in 2011/12 when they were beaten by Everton.

The ticket issues lay bare the issue surrounding the FA’s decision to scrap replays - which talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein branded ‘disgusting’.

Cup replays have been the lifeblood for lower league teams for generations, and in some cases that extra pay day can be the difference between a club staying afloat or ceasing to exist.

But the FA announced in April that from this season’s competition onwards replays would be scrapped from the first round proper.

It led to a huge backlash, including from the EFL who accused the FA and Premier League of making the decision without input from the wider football league.

The Premier League defended the move, insisting they had been in lengthy talks with the EFL and that ‘all parties accepted [cup replays] could not continue’.

That hasn’t stopped fans from complaining about the controversial call, though, particularly after a number of high-scoring thrillers in the early rounds that were settled on the night on penalties, when a replay seemed the fairer outcome.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown even believes the removal of replays has robbed the FA Cup of some of its trademark magic.

“I don’t want to kill that essence of the competition which is that dream to be a giant killer,” he said on White and Jordan in April.

“I think something is being missed with all this. Your best chance to be a giant killer is to do it in a replay and by taking them away you’re taking something away from the FA Cup.

“You're taking away the drama. You're taking away the ability for fans to dare to dream. I don't like seeing that disappear.”

Tamworth have already done their share of giant killing this season, beating League One duo Huddersfield and Burton Albion in the first two rounds.

Being drawn at home against Tottenham was a huge boost for the club, but fans will be gutted to know that a draw will not see them enjoy a return leg to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as it would have in previous years.

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'It can't continue' - Jamie O'Hara names Premier League boss who should immediately replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham

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Jamie O’Hara has named the Premier League manager he wants Tottenham to poach as Ange Postecoglou comes under increasing pressure.

Spurs continue to be the biggest Jekyll and Hyde team in the top flight this season, with a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day drawing ire from the fan base.

It has been a bizarre month for the north London club - they have lost four of their eight games in all competitions, but also managed a 5-0 victory over Southampton and a 4-3 win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

Postecoglou has no intention of changing the way he plays despite worrying results that have left them 11th in the Premier League.

Ex-Spurs man O’Hara was frustrated by the Australian’s stubbornness and said he cannot last if his attitude does not change.

“We’ve actually fallen apart,” O’Hara told The Sports Bar on Boxing Day.

“Everyone is saying we’ve got injuries, and I get that, but if you look at our team today it’s not an injury-hit team. That’s not far off our best, apart from our centre-backs in Romero and Van de Ven.

“I get we’ve had problems but you can’t keep losing games. It’s happening every week.

“We’ve lost nine games in the Premier League this season. Only Southampton, Leicester and Wolves have lost more than us.

“It’s nine games! It’s a broken record.

“We could drop big time. We've been having an absolute stinker.

“Can Ange last?”

Co-host Jason Cundy pointed out that their next fixture is against a resurgent Wolves under Vitor Pereira, who have won their last two games.

O’Hara continued: “Watching Tottenham is painful. Every time we go forward we look exciting, but our defending is abysmal. Full-backs getting caught out of possession high up the pitch.

“Carry on being stubborn and you’re going to get the sack, I don’t care how far you go.

“You can’t be 11th in the table.”

The former Tottenham defender then named the Premier League manager he wants the club to go after.

He added: “I’m starting to come around to the fact that we should nick Fulham’s manager Marco Silva. He’s good. They are organised, have a structure. They haven’t got world beaters, but they have good players.

“All I’m saying is I don’t know if Big Ange can carry on. You can’t lose nine out of 18 games and be the Tottenham manager and get away with it.

“It can’t continue.”

Postecoglou himself faced the media after that defeat to Forest and his press conference lasted just two minutes.

The Australian said: "We are asking a lot of this group of players, a lot of these guys are playing every three days.

"It's only logical they are not going to be at their sharpest, but they are trying.

"It's obviously disappointing to be beaten. It was never going to be a game with too many chances, I thought we had a fair chance where we could have got something out of the game.

"But it was always going to be a tight game here.

"A disappointing goal we conceded, but aside from that the boys worked hard and we tried to generate as many opportunities as we could considering the context of the game and how Forest play. We just couldn't get over the line."

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Tottenham v Wolves betting offer: Bet £10 and get £40 in free bets with talkSPORT BET

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Tottenham host Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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Tottenham's Boxing Day defeat at Nottingham Forest leaves them with four defeats from their last five Premier League matches ahead of their visit of Wolves on Sunday afternoon.

Their current run of form has seen Ange Postecoglou's side drop into the bottom half of the Premier League table into 11th place, where they sit two points adrift of the top 10 following the Boxing Day fixtures.

Spurs return to their home stadium for Sunday's match, where they have picked up just one point from their last four league games in front of their home fans.

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They take on a Wolves side who have won two out of two games since their new manager, Vito Pereira, joined the club from Saudi Arabia, notably securing a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Boxing Day to follow on from their 3-0 win at Leicester last weekend.

Back-to-back league victories has seen the West Midlands side climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since the opening day of the season, where they not sit one point and one place above the drop zone, and just two points behind 15th.

Only Leicester have conceded more goals away from home than Wolves in the Premier League this season, which doesn't bode well for them coming up against a Tottenham side who are just one goal shy of being the league's top scorers this season.

Wolves have won four of their last five matches against Tottenham, including each of their last three, with two wins from their last three visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Date and time: Sunday 29th December 2024, 3pm

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'It was ridiculous' - Tottenham match featuring Erling Haaland's dad was abandoned after 15 minutes

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Football and travel chaos seem to go hand-in-hand over winter, but no one’s had it quite as bad as Tottenham fans in 1996.

Even in modern football with heated pitches, games can still be cancelled, and at the very least that decision is made ahead of time.

However, back at the start of the Premier League era, the decision to suspend a match was called not 15 minutes beforehand, but 15 minutes after kick off.

It wasn’t as if Spurs fans didn’t have to travel far, either, as the infamous FA Cup fifth round tie was against Nottingham Forest.

The distance from Spurs’ White Hart Lane to the City Ground was a whole 125 miles, or three hours on a day without snow. Unfortunately on February 19, there was plenty.

The weather began to change an hour before kick off when snow started falling, but forecasts back then weren’t good enough to predict the chaos that was about to unfold.

Just ten minutes into the clash a blizzard hit the City Ground, and five minutes later things became unbearable.

Officials attempted to salvage things by swapping the standard white ball for an orange winter one, but even those efforts were vain.

The pitch’s white lines soon blended into their new background and the only decision left for referee Gary Willard to take was a suspension.

Speaking at the time, Tottenham manager Gerry Francis said: "It became impossible.

“Everyone on the line would have got pneumonia if they had stayed out any longer. We would have turned into snowmen.

"No arguments, it had become ridiculous. I’m disappointed, of course, because we had started well."

His opposite number at Forest, Frank Clark, was in agreement, saying: "There was nothing else that the referee could do tonight.

"I have not seen a snowstorm like it since I was a boy in the North-east."

However, there may have been one disagreement, with Francis concerned whether a booking for Jason Dozzell would stand.

"If there had been a goal, it would not have counted," he said.

Luckily for Francis, he was able to duck for cover in the City Ground’s tunnel to speak to the press, but the same couldn’t be said for his team’s supporters.

The match became part of Tottenham folklore with talks of epic journeys back to London through thick and treacherous snow.

The match contained a number of Premier League greats like Sol Campbell, Teddy Sheringham and Kevin Campell, while on the bench was Alf Inge Haaland, a man infinitely more famous now thanks to his already iconic son.

The FA managed to re-arrange the match just nine days later, and it was a 2-2 draw in far better conditions, with Ian Woan and Chris Armstrong both netting doubles.

However, Spurs fans thinking they might finally get a reward for their February 19th struggles were left disappointed by the return leg in London, as Forest qualified for the next round with a win on penalties.

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'Come here' - Tottenham starlet told to join Leicester City and learn from Jamie Vardy

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Leicester loan star Facundo Buonanotte wants to see a Tottenham forward join him so they can rekindle their partnership.

The Argentine talent is himself on loan from Brighton, but is keen for his ex-Rosario Central teammate to make the move to the King Power.

Currently, 21-year-old striker Alejo Veliz is on loan at Espanyol from Spurs but only has four goals in 15 appearances.

And just one of those strikes was in LaLiga with his side sitting in the relegation zone with just four wins all season.

That form has led to rumours that his loan deal could be terminated.

Buonanotte believes his ex-teammate should make a loan move to Leicester having played together 24 times with Rosario Central, and once for Argentina's Under-20s.

And he reckons one man in particular could help Veliz reignite his faltering career.

“I would tell Tanque [Alejo] Véliz to come here to learn from Jamie Vardy," he told Ole.

"He is on loan, but now he is at Tottenham, so I think he knows about this. During the time we were at Central we made a nice duo."

Veliz joined Tottenham in a deal worth around £13million in August 2023, but struggled for game time.

He scored just once last season in a 4-2 loss to Brighton and after a spell out injured, also had a six-game loan spell with Sevilla.

There he wore the No.10 jersey once worn by Diego Maradona, but in the summer was sent on loan to Espanyol to get his career back on track.

Vardy might just be the man to help given his stunning record in the Premier League.

From non-league beginnings, the Englishman became of the country's best forwards thanks to his electric pace and powerful finishing.

In total, he's scored 142 Premier League goals with Leicester and helped them win a historic title in 2015/16.

An underrated part of his game is also his ability to play in teammates.

That has seen him assist in the English top-flight on 47 occasions - one more than England captain Harry Kane.

Leicester are currently 17th in the Premier League and in a real battle to survive the threat of relegation on their return.

The club recently sacked Steve Cooper and replaced him with legendary Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

That could be another tempting prospect for Veliz, especially with Buonanotte as a teammate.

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Tottenham v Liverpool predicted line-ups and how to follow: Salah eyes Premier League history as Reds look to be top at Christmas

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Liverpool can secure top spot in the Premier League at Christmas if they beat Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds have not sat at the top of the table on December 25 since 2020/21, a season in which they didn’t end up going on to win the title.

They did win the league in 2019/20 after leading the way over the festive period, so Arne Slot will be hoping for a repeat of that.

Slot’s side are on a huge unbeaten streak at the moment and haven’t lost a game in any competition since September.

And they’ll be aiming to continue that against Spurs who finally got back to winning ways by cruising to a 5-0 win against Southampton last week.

That victory relieved some pressure on Ange Postecoglou, who was further boosted by their Carabao Cup win over Manchester United on Thursday.

Tottenham vs Liverpool: Magical Mo

Mohamed Salah has gone up to another level this season.

He’s been involved in 22 of Liverpool’s 31 Premier League goals, which is by far the highest share of any player for their team (71 per cent).

The Egyptian King has 13 goals and nine assists in the top-flight in just 15 games.

That incredible tally now has him on the brink of some English football history.

If he provides an assist against Tottenham this weekend, Salah will become the first player ever to reach double figures for goals and assists before Christmas.

What an unbelievable achievement that would be for the Reds legend, who may just be playing in his final campaign at the club.

Tottenham won this exact fixture 2-1 last season, last winning consecutive home league games against Liverpool between 2008 and 2012 (a run of five).

Liverpool have lost just two of their last 23 Premier League games against Tottenham (W15 D6) and have scored at least once in each of their last 17 against Spurs.

Tottenham won this exact fixture 2-1 last season thanks to a 90th-minute Joel Matip own goal. Indeed, this fixture has seen more 90th-minute winning goals than any other in Premier League history (6).

Tottenham vs Liverpool: Predicted line-ups

Tottenham’s long injury list remains and it means Postecoglou will have to continue to play a makeshift defence.

Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are sidelined while Destiny Udogie missed the cup game against Man United.

It means Fraser Forster will likely be in goal again despite his struggles in midweek, with Radu Dragusin partnering Archie Gray at centre-back and Djed Spence at full-back.

Rodrigo Bentancur is serving the last of his seven-game ban so he’s still sidelined, meaning Pape Matar Sarr will be in midfield.

Yves Bissouma is back from his suspension and is likely to be next to Sarr, with Lucas Bergvall unluckily missing out after a great performance last week.

James Maddison will sit in front of them while captain Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski provide width and Dominic Solanke leads the line.

As for Liverpool, Slot rotated massively in the Carabao Cup in midweek, so he has all of his star players fit and ready to start.

On top of that, Andy Robertson served his suspension against Southampton and will be available to return in this game.

Alisson and Virgil van Dijk were among those rested, but they will return in a defence featuring Joe Gomez and Robertson.

Ibrahima Konate is still out and Gomez seems to be preferred to Jarell Quansah.

In midfield, the in-form Ryan Gravenberch will be joined by Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai who will have Curts Jones competing for his place.

Salah will of course be on the right, and Luis Diaz is expected to start on the opposite wing after he played no part in midweek.

That would mean Cody Gakpo misses out while Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota are left to battle it out for the striker spot.

Son Heung-min’s two assists against Southampton last time out took his total in the Premier League to 68 – the joint-most of any Tottenham player in the competition’s history (level with Darren Anderton).

Spurs have scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes of games than any other side in the Premier League this season (9), with five of those coming in their last two games.

Tottenham vs Liverpool: What has been said?

Slot explained why he rotated so much in midweek ahead of this game, but insisted he didn’t do so to help win against Tottenham.

The Liverpool boss said on Wednesday: “It would be normal if I play with all the regular starters that we have a better team than we have tonight otherwise I make every week the wrong decision.

“We also trust these players because we know how much quality they have. So, that's the first reason to play these players. We have a lot of confidence in them as well.

“Second of all, it's not about the result on Sunday, it's more for the long-term fitness of the players that we made the decision that the ones who have played so many minutes to give them a bit of rest during this week.

“Because the schedule is going to be intense again in the upcoming weeks. For the ones who have played a lot, only 45 or 60 minutes, and the ones who haven't played a lot play 90.

“That's what we did, and it was good for us that it was enough to win it."

Tottenham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 23 Premier League home games, a 4-0 win against Everton earlier this season. They’re winless in their last three at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (D1 L2), last having a longer run without a home win in November/December 2013 (4).

Having conceded just three goals in their first eight Premier League games this season, Liverpool have now conceded 10 in their last seven. Their last two games have been drawn 3-3 with Newcastle and 2-2 with Fulham, with the Reds last drawing three straight league games in the same season back in October 2015.

Tottenham vs Liverpool: Date and how to follow

This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday, December 22.

Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is scheduled for 4:30pm.

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

If not already an existing Sky Sports customer, fans can sign up here or you can sign up for a NOW TV membership here to watch the action.

talkSPORT will also be across all the latest news and updates.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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‘I blame the manager’ – Man United and Tottenham branded clowns in ferocious talkSPORT rant

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Gabby Agbonlahor has called Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur ‘two sets of clowns’ following their seven-goal thriller.

The only player to escape the former Aston Villa captain's tirade was Fraser Forster, despite the goalkeeper's error-strewn performance.

Fortunately they were not costly mistakes from the No.2 with Tottenham Hotspur, who at one point led 3-0, held on to win 4-3 and progress to the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Ange Postecoglou’s side will face Liverpool as they aim to end their 16-year trophy drought, but they didn't get there without causing another late scare for their supporters.

Spurs got off to a flyer and were seemingly in the clear as two goals from Dominic Solanke and a tidy finish from Dejan Kulusevski gave the hosts a big lead their dominant performance deserved after 54 minutes.

But Forster’s first mistake came nine minutes later as his lazy pass at the back was intercepted by Bruno Fernandes, who assisted Joshua Zirkzee to tap in.

Seven minutes after that, the 36-year-old shot-stopper was at fault again - this time being chased down by Amad Diallo who deflected Forster’s attempted pass back into his own net.

Captain Heung-min Son then restored a two-goal cushion with a stunning effort straight from a corner, only for Spurs concede again as Jonny Evans scored in stoppage-time.

Tottenham fans would have been forgiven for thinking 'here we go again', having thrown away a two-goal lead to lose 4-3 to Chelsea only a few weeks ago, but they managed to close out the rest of the match to seal their progress in the cup.

However, speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast the morning after the pulsating clash, Agbonlahor said: “It was like two sets of clowns playing each other. The defending… Spurs going forward were very good.

“Manchester United woke up a little bit in the second half thanks to some mistakes from Forster, but the defending, wow.

"I hammered Southampton’s defence, but wow. I don’t blame Forster at all, I blame the manager and the rest of the players."

He continued: “Forster, how long has he been around now, he’s 37. He’s always been a shot-stopper, he’s never been a keeper to play with his feet.

“I played with so many goalkeepers that if they were playing now they’d be exactly like Forster. They don’t want it.”

Postecoglou has recently come under fire, especially for performances in the Premier League as they currently sit tenth.

Match going fans were booing the Australian after a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth earlier this month.

Following that defeat he committed to fighting until the club’s situation improved, something a trophy would achieve.

A Carabao Cup victory may be the route to quench the first of Spurs fans desperate to add silverware to their cabinet.

“Obviously we made it harder than it should have been – we were well in control and playing really well,” said Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports.

“The first mistake affected Fraze [Fraser Forster] and then the second came as a result of that and we had to scramble a little bit but showed some character at the end and got a fourth and are through to the semis.”

On the other side of the draw Arsenal take on Newcastle.

The semi-final ties will take place over two legs across the week commencing January 6 and the week commencing February 3.

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Marcus Rashford left out of Manchester United squad AGAIN while other dropped star Alejandro Garnacho is reinstated

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Marcus Rashford has not travelled with the Manchester United squad for their game against Tottenham, talkSPORT understands.

The Red Devils forward was dropped for the 2-1 Manchester derby win over Manchester City on Sunday, as was Alejandro Garnacho.

And he has not gone down to London with the rest of his team on Wednesday for the Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday, live on talkSPORT.

talkSPORT understands that Garnacho, meanwhile, has travelled down for the game.

Rashford was absent from training on Monday, with reports claiming he was sent home due to a sickness bug.

The 27-year-old visited his old school on Tuesday to hand out presents to students.

It was there that he revealed he was ready for a 'new challenge' beyond Old Trafford.

Asked about Rashford on Wednesday, manager Ruben Amorim said: “This is in the future.

"My focus is to have all the players in the best that they can be to prepare for each game.

“We are talking about if there is no if in this kind of club. It's just talk to them and let's focus on the game.”

Pressed on Rashford's view that he needs a new challenge, he stated: "I think it’s right.

"We have here a new challenge, it’s a tough one, for me it’s the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation and I already said this is one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"This is a really new challenge and the biggest one. I really hope all my players are ready for this new challenge."

Amorim said at the time that he had not yet spoken to Rashford.

"No, not yet," he said. "It was yesterday, I gave the day off to the lads, so he’s our player and he’s ready for the next game.

"I spoke with a lot of players individually and during training, what I want is to take the best stuff of Marcus Rashford as the player so I don’t talk about the future.

"I just talk about the present, I want the best of each one of them and that is the key point for me, I just want to win and to help the team be better."

Rashford, now 27, has been at the club since the age of seven.

He has bagged 138 goals in 426 first team appearances, winning the FA Cup twice, the League Cup twice and the Europa League in that time.

He was also crowned Man United's Player of the Year in 2020 and 2023.

However, the former England international's form has dipped of late, going from scoring 30 in all competitions in 2022/23 to netting eight last season.

Speaking to journalist Henry Winter, Rashford said: “For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps.

"When I leave it's going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.

"If I know that a situation is already bad I'm not going to make it worse. I've seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person.

"When I leave I'll make a statement and it will be from me. 100 per cent."

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‘No interest, don’t care’ – Ange Postecoglou shuts down Marcus Rashford question in press conference

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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou refused to be drawn into talking about Marcus Rashford in his latest Spurs press conference.

The Manchester United forward revealed he was ready for 'a new challenge' in an interview with journalist Henry Winter on Tuesday.

The Red Devils academy product was left out of the squad for the Manchester derby win over Manchester City along with Alejandro Garnacho, raising questions over his future at Old Trafford.

One of his potential new clubs that has been mooted by fans is Tottenham - but despite being hailed as a 'good player' by Spurs boss Postecoglou, the Australian refused to comment on the situation.

When asked about the chat around Rashford ahead of his side's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Man United, which is live on talkSPORT, Postecoglou said: "There's always noise about Man United mate, come on."

"No interest, don't care," he continued when pressed on it again.

"Not interested, he's a Man United player. A very good player. They've got plenty of good players.

"I manage my players, I guess other people will manage their players.

"But in terms of Marcus's situation I have no real desire to examine any further."

The Red Devils are open to offers for the forward as Ruben Amorim looks to make wholesale changes to his playing squad, talkSPORT understands.

The Portuguese boss himself was also questioned on Rashford's revelation.

Pressed on the 27-year-old's view that he needs a new challenge, he stated: "I think it’s right.

"We have here a new challenge, it’s a tough one. For me it’s the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation and I already said this is one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"This is a really new challenge and the biggest one. I really hope all my players are ready for this new challenge."

Rashford was sent home from training on Monday with a sickness bug the day after his derby day snub.

He then went back to his old primary school to hand out 420 presents to students the day after.

This was when he told Winter of his desire to explore options beyond the club he's spent two decades of his life at.

Rashford said: “For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps.

"When I leave it's going to be, ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.

"If I know that a situation is already bad I'm not going to make it worse. I've seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person.

"When I leave I'll make a statement and it will be from me. 100 per cent."

Rashford added: “I’m halfway through my career. I don’t expect my peak to be now.

"I've had nine years so far in the Premier League and that’s taught me a lot, that’s helped me grow as a player and as a person.

"So I don't have any regrets from the last nine years.

"I won’t have any regrets going forward because I take things day by day and sometimes bad things happen, sometimes good things happen. I just try and keep a fine balance."

Asked if the best is yet to come, Rashford replied: “100 per cent. That's my mentality.”

It remains to be seen if Rashford will be in the squad for Man United's trip to Tottenham on Thursday.

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