BBC

Martin Chivers: Former Spurs and England forward dies aged 80

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Martin Chivers: Former Spurs and England forward dies aged 80 - BBC
Description

Former Tottenham and England forward Martin Chivers has died at the age of 80.

During his eight years in north London, the striker scored 174 goals in 367 outings to help the club win the League Cup twice, as well as the Uefa Cup.

He also scored 13 goals in his 24 appearances for England.

Tottenham said, external: "It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our legendary former striker, Martin Chivers.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to Martin's family, friends and former team-mates at this incredibly sad time.

"Rest in peace, Martin. One of the all-time greats."

England said, external: "Our condolences go out to his friends and family at this sad time."

Born in Southampton in April 1945, Chivers made his debut for his hometown club aged 17.

After scoring 106 goals in 190 appearances for the Saints, the forward was signed by Spurs manager Bill Nicholson in January 1968 for a fee of £125,000.

Later in his career, Chivers played in Switzerland and Norway either side of spells at Norwich City, Brighton and Dorchester Town, before retiring in 1983 after a brief spell at Barnet.

Tottenham will wear black armbands for Wednesday's match at Bournemouth.

Source

Tottenham news: Change for Tottenham on 'a defining window' at Spurs

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham news: Change for Tottenham on 'a defining window' at Spurs - BBC
Description

A Tottenham supporter group says the club "has to be bold" this transfer window as they also ask for more "clarity" on long-term footballing strategy.

Change for Tottenham (CFT), who staged a number of protests last season against then chairman Daniel Levy and the club's board, have issued a statement with January transfer window now open.

Having questioned the club's strategy for buying and selling players previously, the supporters' group called for "proper investment" in strengthening Thomas Frank's squad this month.

"This is a defining window for the club," they said. "After finishing just above the bottom three in the league last year, it was clear that the squad needed serious investment.

"The Lewis Family Trust, Vinai Venkatesham, Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici have told supporters that they were ready to be ambitious and prioritise trophies after Daniel Levy stood down. During the past, we have too often failed to capitalise on the summer or January transfer window, so a change in strategy was welcomed by the fanbase."

In the summer, Spurs brought in eight players for a total spend of more than £170m as well as bringing in new head coach Frank.

However, one of those new signings - Mohammed Kudus - is now injured, while Spurs have been hampered by long-term absences of other key attacking players such as James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke.

"The club has to be bold this window and we are yet to see that," the group added.

"Fans also desperately need to hear more about the long-term footballing strategy.

"We will be planning action if the club fails to deliver again."

Source

Bournemouth vs Tottenham: Key stats and talking points

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Bournemouth vs Tottenham: Key stats and talking points - BBC
Description

Embattled Tottenham boss Thomas Frank takes his side to the south coast with boos from his own supporters still ringing in his ears after the draw with Sunderland.

His side actually started Sunday's game with the kind of attacking verve and endeavour that their fans had been crying out for. But they failed to capitalise on an opening 45 minutes in which they had eight shots, four of which were on target.

Instead, they reverted back to the attack-shy side that has frustrated their fanbase under his management and led to chants of "Boring Boring Tottenham" in their 0-0 draw at Brentford.

Their season's average of just 9.9 shots per league game is the only campaign on record from 1997-98 onwards that they have averaged below 11 per match.

Spurs will again fall back on their strong away form, which can only be surpassed by leaders Arsenal this season. They have kept clean sheets in five of their 10 matches on the road, already exceeding last season's tally of four, and in both of their past two games at Crystal Palace and Brentford.

However, they will try to rectify their terrible record of failing to win any of their past 10 league fixtures played on either a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday (drawn three, lost seven), dating back to January 2024.

One such defeat came at Vitality Stadium last season.

Bournemouth desperate to end their winless run

While not under anything like the same sort of pressure as Frank is, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola will be feeling the heat after their winless run stretched to 11 matches (drawn five, lost six). It is their longest streak without a victory within a single top-flight campaign.

They put in very spirited performances in both the draw with Chelsea and defeat to byArsenal, but were again porous at the back.

They have let in 14 goals in their past five league matches with the form of new recruits, signed after they lost three of their back four and their goalkeeper over the summer, deserting them somewhat.

But anyone watching the Cherries this season cannot claim they are not getting value for money. Their league games have contained a total of 69 goals (31 for and 38 against), which is five more than other top-flight side.

Source

Ben Davies' lack of Spurs games 'no issue' - Wales boss Craig Bellamy

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Ben Davies' lack of Spurs games 'no issue' - Wales boss Craig Bellamy - BBC
Description

Ben Davies' limited game-time at Tottenham Hotspur is no issue for Wales, for whom he remains the "best player", according to head coach Craig Bellamy.

The 32-year-old defender has made only three appearances for Spurs this season, marking his first start of the campaign with a goal in last Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland.

Davies said after the game that his future is out of his hands, having been linked with a move away from the London club he joined in 2014.

Peripheral as he might be at Spurs this season, the left-back or centre-back is an important player for Wales with 100 caps to his name.

This is a significant year for Wales, who face Bosnia-Herzegovina in a World Cup play-off semi-final on 26 March, with a potential final against Italy or Northern Ireland to follow five days later.

That tight turnaround could be an issue for players such as Davies, whose lack of regular first-team action at club level might increase the risk of injury.

"I've been here a year and a half now and Ben has never been a regular [at Spurs]," said Bellamy.

Wales will hope Davies is fit enough to play in both play-offs in March as they aim to qualify for a second successive World Cup.

The former Swansea City player was magnificent in Wales' play-off final win over Ukraine to clinch their place in the previous edition of the competition in 2022.

He remains an influential figure, captaining his country in the continued, injury-enforced absence of regular skipper Aaron Ramsey.

But Davies missed the final two group games of Wales' qualifying campaign after injuring his hamstring during the home defeat against Belgium in October.

Bellamy is not concerned, however, even if Davies is not playing regularly again before March.

"We'll deal with it. There's no issue," Bellamy added.

"What you've got to see now is these boys live it. These boys train and know how to manage themselves.

"OK, nothing will get anywhere close to a game [in terms of match fitness], but these boys are smart enough to know when they play in-house games, and clubs are clever enough to know, because the difference if you train small, small, small, and you go to a bigger area, the risk of injury becomes higher. So they manage their training load and then we go bigger."

Davies has not suffered with injuries in the same way as former Arsenal midfielder Ramsey, who has been blighted by fitness issues throughout his career.

But unless Davies leaves Spurs in January or Ramsey, currently unattached, finds a new club, their ability to play two matches in quick succession in March could be a concern.

"If it's Ben or Aaron, we have to manage it. That's the simple fact why we need 30-odd players," said Bellamy.

"I think I've used 32 players this campaign, and we have to because we have to continuously keep our intensity.

"Where we are ranked now in Europe, we're really high in the intensity and creating opportunities, so all our metrics have shifted.

"Now we're in the top 10 [for intensity] and, with our identity, we have to remain there because I believe that's where we get the big results over the next couple of years.

"Unfortunately, we have a lot of players who are not able to play two games in a row. How we manage the next situation is going to be difficult, but we're going to have to work out a way to manage it. That's why the best teams can qualify."

Source

Bournemouth vs Tottenham predictions: Chris Sutton on Premier League game

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Bournemouth vs Tottenham predictions: Chris Sutton on Premier League game - BBC
Description

Bournemouth have gone 11 league games without a win but they have been unfortunate not to get over the line in a couple of those matches.

I always think the Cherries have got a goal in them and they showed that when I watched them draw 2-2 with Chelsea last week, then again against Arsenal on Saturday - albeit in a 3-2 defeat.

The Antoine Semenyo situation is fascinating, because we all know he is joining Manchester City this month but, after facing the Gunners, will he get another game for Bournemouth here?

Whether Semenyo plays or not, it is hard to back Tottenham at the moment.

It is also difficult to make a case that Spurs have really improved under Thomas Frank this season.

They are 13th at the moment and, when they were struggling under Ange Postecoglou this time last year, they were a place better off after 20 games and he was getting panned.

For whatever reason, it has just not clicked for them in the final third under Frank and I don't see that changing here.

Bournemouth won this fixture 1-0 last season, and also won 1-0 at Spurs in August. One goal should be enough for them this time, too.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Source

Yang Min-hyeok: Tottenham winger joins Championship leaders Coventry City on loan

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Yang Min-hyeok: Tottenham winger joins Championship leaders Coventry City on loan - BBC
Description

Championship leaders Coventry City have made their first signing of the January transfer window after agreeing a loan deal for Tottenham Hotspur's teenage winger Yang Min-hyeok.

The South Korea international, 19, spent the first half of this season on loan at Portsmouth where he scored three times in 16 matches.

Yang had previously played in the Championship for Queens Park Rangers over the second part of last term - a spell that produced two goals in 14 appearances.

He joins Frank Lampard's Sky Blues for the rest of the campaign with the club currently six points clear at the top of the table as they bid to return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years.

"I'm very happy and excited to join a club with such strong traditions and history," Yang told the club website., external

"When I played against Coventry, I really felt the positive atmosphere within the team, and that made me even more excited about becoming part of this club.

"The head coach explained very clearly how he plans to use me and how I could fit into the team, which gave me a lot of confidence that this is the right place for me.

"I want to help the team achieve its goal and to do that, I need to adapt as quickly as possible, show my qualities on the pitch, and prove why I am here."

Source

Tottenham transfer rumours: Mohammed Kudus, JorgenStrand Larsen

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham transfer rumours: Mohammed Kudus, JorgenStrand Larsen - BBC
Description

Tottenham are looking at signing a forward in January as the injury suffered by Ghana international Mohammed Kudus, 25, is worse than they initially thought. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Spurs could rival Newcastle United for the signature of Wolves' 25-year-old Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. (ChronicleLive), external

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

Source

Tottenham Hotspur 'completely aligned', says head coach Thomas Frank

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Tottenham Hotspur 'completely aligned', says head coach Thomas Frank - BBC
Description

Head coach Thomas Frank says Tottenham are "completely aligned" about the future as he faces pressure from fans to improve results.

Frank has declared that the club are united behind the scenes, saying that chief executive Vinai Venkatesham makes "sensible decisions" and is "is one of the best communicators I ever met".

Spurs were booed off after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland, and have won two of their past 11 Premier League games.

In the past week, Enzo Maresca has left Chelsea and Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim - with both head coaches departing amid fallouts with senior figures at their respective clubs.

But Frank says he has no such issues with Tottenham's hierarchy.

"I think the biggest thing is that we are completely aligned with the ownership," Frank said.

"Vinai is one of the best communicators I ever met, as a CEO, leader or whatever, he is absolutely excellent in that.

"I think I'm OK, but he is way superior, which I think is crucial internally and externally.

"He's calm and he takes sensible decisions - two rare abilities in football. He understands the journey we're on."

Tottenham, who visit Bournemouth on Wednesday, are in a congested mid-table, sitting 13th in the Premier League.

They are unbeaten in their past three matches, but have not scored from open play since 6 December.

Sporting director Fabio Paratici has continuously been linked with a move back to Italy with Fiorentina during recent weeks, but remains in place at Spurs.

Frank said: "We're paying his wage, he's working very hard.

Source

Andoni Iraola press conference: Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Andoni Iraola press conference: Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur - BBC
Description

Justin Kluivert will have surgery on his left knee after being injured against Arsenal. Iraola said "it is very bad news" and he cannot not give a timescale for his return until the surgery has taken place on Thursday.

He said "it could be" Antoine Semenyo's last game for Bournemouth before his expected exit but there is "nothing agreed and nothing signed" yet.

Iraola added Semenyo has "been very professional" about the situation and he will be "almost impossible to replace".

On whether he is disappointed that Semenyo has chosen to leave: "Everyone has to make their own decisions. We are all different. I suppose when a big club comes calling, it's difficult. But we still don't know what is going to happen!"

Centre-back Veljko Milosavljevic has returned to training, but Ryan Christie needs "more time" to continue his recovery as he still has some pain when kicking the ball.

On the Cherries' recent results: "We are one of the teams that scores more goals and one of the teams that concedes more goals. We need to deal better inside our box."

On the financial position of the club in this transfer window: "I don't know our financial fair play situation. I understand the club has to sell some players to position themselves better for the next windows. I am not part of those decisions as head coach. I try to help in the process when signing players but I am not involved in the economical side."

Source

Portsmouth: Loanee Yang Min-hyeok recalled by Tottenham

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Portsmouth: Loanee Yang Min-hyeok recalled by Tottenham - BBC
Description

Portsmouth loan winger Yang Min-hyeok has been recalled by parent club Tottenham Hotspur, report BBC Radio Solent.

The South Korea international scored three goals in 16 appearances, including the dramatic winner against Charlton at the end of December, and was due to remain at Fratton Park for the full season.

Championship leaders Coventry have been linked with a move to take the 19-year-old on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Portsmouth sporting director Richard Hughes confirmed this week that talks had already taken place with Tottenham over the prospect of Yang being recalled.

Source