Cartilage Free Captain

Good morning everyone.

We’ve seen a lot of bicycle kicks at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club this season. First there was that one from Richarlison on the opening day of the season. Upon rewatching it, it’s almost incredible it’s not already the automatic winner for the team’s best goal this season:

Then Cristian Romero hit his own overhead kick against Newcastle. His was a little less impressive than the beauty we saw from Richarlison (bouncing twice before getting in the goal), but it came at a huge time in the match to draw Spurs level against Newcastle.

He actually scored a brace that game to salvage the draw - and we know every point matters right now.

Well, let’s add another bicycle kick to the list. Except this time it comes from a former beloved Tottenham Hotspur player: Oliver Skipp.

That’s our boy Skippy with the overhead kick in the 52nd minute of Leicester’s game against Southampton. It was a big goal, too, leveling the game against Saints until the Foxes fell in extra time. Heartbreaking for Skipp and Tottenham Hotspur hero Harry Winks.

The loss does give Leicester City more time to focus on their relegation battle (and you were concerned about Spurs). After a recent points deduction, they now sit in the drop zone and are in danger of falling to League One.

It’s a pretty tight race - just one point will see them move out of the bottom three, but they’ve also played more games than Portsmouth (21st at 33 points) and Charlton (18th at 39 points). Then you’ve got West Brom and Blackburn in the fight as well.

It’s a remarkable fall from grace for Leicester. And this could be a very rare - if not unprecedented - occurrence where two former Premier League champions drop into the third tier.

Fitzie’s track of the day: The Shoes of the Fisherman’s Wife Are Some Jive Ass Slippers, by Charles Mingus

And now for your links:

BBC Video (territory restriction): “Spurs unstoppable in 10-goal thriller against Aston Villa”

The Athletic ($$): “Clubs turn to Igor Tudor when they’re on a cliff edge – Spurs will not daunt him”

The Times: “Hull fans arrested over offensive chants during Chelsea defeat”

Daily Record: “Rangers 4 Hearts 2 LIVE as it happened – Chermiti hat trick dents Jambos title hopes”

We have breaking news: According to Sky Sports, Tottenham Hotspur have appointed former Juventus manager Igor Tudor as interim head coach, with a short term contract lasting until June 2026. Tudor replaces Thomas Frank, whom Spurs sacked on Wednesday after a 2-1 home loss to Newcastle in the Premier League.

Tudor is a Croatian manager and former player who had his best run in his playing days at Juventus, where he tallied 115 appearances and 15 goals as a central defender. He most recently served as Juventus manager, replacing Thiago Motta last spring, but was sacked in October of this year after Juventus had an eight match losing streak, ending his tenure at the Italian club after seven months. Tudor also inherited a mess of a situation as manager of Marseille in 2022-23; he managed them in the Champions League with them finishing bottom of their group, and left at the end of the season, citing “tiredness” with the club and management.

I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on Igor Tudor, and people much smarter than me note him as a primarily defensive head coach, though he’s known for aggressive tactics. An article at Total Football Analysis says his past coaching history suggests as a manager he’s “a coach unafraid to make bold tactical shifts, often revitalising sides in need of fresh energy.” That same article, written after his appointment at Juventus, noted that he was successful in instilling “greater dynamism through structural tweaks, sharpening transitions and bringing balance between defence and attack.” He’s also considered a good motivator of players. Considering that Spurs are presently at risk of relegation and have had difficulty not only scoring but also generating chances in offense, this feels… dare I say it… like it could be a good thing?

A quick glance through Tudor’s history doesn’t make him out to be a particularly stable personality, but considering the scope of the assignment here I’m not sure Spurs are in much of a position to quibble too much.

It certainly can’t hurt. This is a lost season for Spurs, and Tudor isn’t under pressure to, say, qualify for the Champions League — though he will usher Spurs through the CL Round of 16 and potentially further, he basically just needs about 12 points in Spurs’ last 12 matches to ensure they don’t go down. If he does that, it’s job done, and that seems like a perfectly reasonable expectation for him. If he can get this critically injured Tottenham squad of misfit toys playing something like cromulent football, then it’s a win.

Ornstein says that Tudor does not have a permanent option, but it also feels as though if he does good enough he could potentially win his way into the permanent job. Either way, this is a temporary appointment, with the club planning on making a permanent hire this summer, likely after the World Cup win a number of qualified candidates will likely be available. One of those potential candidates is almost certainly USMNT manager (and former Spurs boss) Mauricio Pochettino.

Reports from earlier this morning suggested former Dortmund managers Eden Terzic and Marco Rose were in consideration for the interim head coaching role. Tudor’s name seemingly came out of nowhere, and his first responsibility will be to lead the team out against arch rivals and league leaders Arsenal in ten days. Good luck, buddy. But get us 11 points by May and you’ll have the thankfulness of a grateful Spurs nation.

Welcome to Tottenham, Igor Tudor.

As you all might have known, I’ve recently moved places. And if you’ve ever gone through a move in your life then you’d know that sometimes things get misplaced in the mix.

Well, there are a couple of things that I’m missing and cannot find.

The first is a jumper that I really liked. I also cannot find either of my running hats.

The third is a bit more curious: My copy of Black Sabbath’s Master of Reality. Here’s the thing: I have the album jacket, but I’m missing the vinyl.

I recently organised my entire record collection and it did not show up there at all. What gives me hope is that I was able to reunited my vinyl for The Great Lost Kinks Album with its jacket. I genuinely have no idea what happened to my copy of Master of Reality.

There are a fair amount of records I put in outer plastic sleeves and separate the vinyl from the jacket to protect both. Did they get separated somehow? This is the only clue I have to go on.

And still - where the heck are my jumper and running hats?

I’ll be spending this weekend hoping to solve these mysteries.

Fitzie’s track of the day: Into the Void, by Black Sabbath

And now for your links:

Jay Harris ($$): “The challenges facing Tottenham’s next manager — and how they can be addressed”

Alasdair Gold: “When Tottenham expect to appoint their new manager after Thomas Frank sacking”

Matt Law: “Robbie Keane is not interested in interim role at Tottenham Hotspur”

The Standard: “Robbie Keane issues four-word response to Tottenham manager links before interview walkout”

BBC: “Will Arsenal’s end-of-season form haunt them again?”

The Independent: “Thomas Tuchel extends England contract to rule himself out of Man United job”

I have what I suspect most Spurs fans will think is good news courtesy of Sky Sports — according to Sky journalist Michael Bridge, Roberto De Zerbi wants to take a break after resigning from his job as head coach at Marseille, and is not interested in taking over at Tottenham Hotspur in the short term, either as a permanent head coach or interim to the summer.

This is pretty much a lost season (Champions League aside), and Tottenham probably need about 12 points from its next 12 league matches to ensure that it stays up and is not relegated to the Championship next season. I strongly suspect that you could put Johnny Heitinga, or whoever, in charge and they could probably pick that up with a new manager bounce, after which Spurs can focus on attracting a permanent head coach in the summer. De Zerbi comes with enough baggage and not enough proven effectiveness to make his appointment this week an attractive one, and I’ve already said my peace about the off the field stuff he’d bring into Spurs’ orbit, so I’m perfectly satisfied to see him essentially rule himself out of the running.

I don’t know what Spurs will do this week. I don’t know if De Zerbi would be a candidate if Tottenham punt the permanent job until the summer. I do know that I don’t want that guy anywhere near my club and I’ll accept any positive news in that area I can get.

Tottenham Hotspur may or may not want to run the years back by reappointing Mauricio Pochettino as its next permanent head coach, but if they do they will need to wait until after the USA completes its World Cup run this summer. That’s the official line out of USMNT channels according to The Athletic, which states that Pochettino fully intends to see USA through the summer international competition, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

It’s not even slightly a secret that Tottenham have their eyes on a Pochettino return after the sacking of Thomas Frank on Wednesday, which came about after Spurs fell at home to Newcastle 2-1 on Tuesday evening. Poch has been making googly eyes at Spurs for years, hinting at “unfinished business” after he was let go in 2019. The timing was never right for him to return to the club as manager; when Spurs have had openings either it was too soon or Poch already had commitments to another position.

That’s the case here as well, though this time those timing issues could be solved sooner rather than later. Tottneham are still — somehow, aggravatingly — trying to figure out their next best move for who leads the team out on the pitch against Arsenal in 10 days, and whether that person will be a caretaker or interim head coach, or a permanent appointment. If Spurs do want to make a permanent appointment however, it won’t — can’t — be Pochettino. The Athletic reports that the line out of the US Soccer Federation is that Pochettino will remain with the USA Men’s National Team, and also notes that there is a substantial (but unquantified) buyout in his USA contract.

There would be other possibilities in the summer as well, with an expected major coaching churn following the conclusion of the World Cup in July. Waiting that long does have its risks as it means a coaching appointment well after the start of the summer transfer window, which would have significant long-tail effects as to how Spurs can structure the team to avoid another flirt with relegation. That said, if Poch truly is the guy they want, and it sounds very much like Poch is interested in the job, they’ll have to wait.

Good morning everyone. I know we’re all drowning in #FrankOut news and wondering who the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur will be. For those who read yesterday’s hoddle, you’ll remember that I got pretty angry during my run on Tuesday night after that loss to Newcastle. During that run an idea spawned: a new, temporary feature on my marathon training progress.

My next marathon is on 4 April 2026. The goal: A new personal best. And not just to top my previous one - but to smash it. My realistic estimate right now is 3:07 (30 minutes faster than my current PB). Considering my personal best at the half is 1:26.00, I think a sub-3 is not impossible, but it will be difficult.

I don’t like to constantly go off on marathon training. I think “runfluencers” are dangerous and self-serving, that pressuring people to run is dismissive of others’ fitness and health goals, and that comparing times helps no one.

I am currently on Week 9 of 16 during my most recent training block. The whole point of this exercise is going to be about me offering a very honest insight into the highs, difficulties and challenges of training for a marathon. At the risk of being a hypocrite, I’d say it is also designed to help me understand the challenges that I’m faced with as well.

Also I feel you guys would want to read about someone who’s actually producing results instead of the dumpster fire that is Tottenham Hotspur HQ.

I might tweak some things around with the formatting here and there, and please be patient with me. As always, you’re free to skip straight through to the comments. Anyways, with that long introduction out of the way, let’s get to Fitzie’s Fun Run Recap:

Weeks 9

This is by far the most difficult training block I’ve endured. This winter in the District of Columbia is horrible. Temperatures below 22C, wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour. I’m layering up as much as I can. My water bottle freezes. The running buff around my neck freezes. The roads are iced over. It’s brutal.

Sunday run: 20 miles

This is my second 20-miler. This means I’ve now done two 16-milers, two 18-milers and two 20-milers during my training so far. I’m pretty happy. It was difficult today, though. My legs didn’t feel great, my toenail was falling off even before I went out, and the winds were brutal. Even worse, my running watch was uncooperative.

Iced-over roads forced me to adjust my route and I found myself on the Capital Crescent Trail. It was beautiful. I took a moment to admire a red cardinal splashed against the snowy bank with the Potomac River in the background, before I nearly tripped over a mound of snow next to the path.

I occasionally doubt myself, and today I did. Nothing seemed to go my way and I though about turning around as soon as Mile 2. I stuck with it, I waved to other runners, most waved back at me. Someone high-fived me. Another fist-bumped me. I farted in front of a third (and maybe fourth).

I finished the run in 2:25. It was about the pace I had imagined, a little bit slower than marathon pace.

I’m not sure what the secret is to long runs. A few things help me. The first and most important is to love running, otherwise what’s the point. Finding places you love to run is another good way of doing it. I don’t carry my phone with me, so I can’t take pictures, but it also helps me to disconnect. Instead I just look and admire all that surrounds me. I like to listen to the shuffling of feet, the wind, birds chirping, my incessant inner dialogue.

I also like to visualise myself in those final couple of miles struggling. I like to imagine being out there all alone and struggling, and what I need to do to get through the final painful stretches. It helps, I think. And I hope runs like this one help build that mental strength that’ll pay off in April.

Monday: Rest day

And a well-deserved one.

Tuesday: 7 mile recovery run

The pace is about 89 seconds or so slower than my half-marathon pace (so about 7:54/mile). Not about going fast, just about going out, breathing, enjoying being outside and running. First two miles weren’t fun. I don’t like the darkness. I want it to be bright again. Regardless, this run felt effortless as a recovery run should be. Some nice stretching after getting home.

Wednesday: 7 mile tempo run on the treadmill

One mile warmup. 800m at slightly faster than HM pace (6.22/mi) 10x with 90 seconds rest in-between. One mile cooldown.

Hated it. I hate the treadmill. I hate wearing earphones and listening to the podcast. I hate the earphones slip out of my ears when I sweat. I hate this day. I hate this winter. I felt awful the whole time. “I totally biffed it,” I imagined my future self keep saying after not hitting the full 7 miles. I thought I’d only manage 4 total, then 5. I ended up doing the 7.

It was a late night. Didn’t sit down for dinner until 8.30pm. I was making pasta when one of the vents above the stovetop fell into my pot. I only had meat sauce. Not a good day. Wondering why I’m putting in all this effort. I just want it to be bright outside again.

Thursday: 10 miles easy

Dreading this one. Ten miles is an easy distance for me, so I’m not worried about that. I’m more worried about the time it’ll take in the evening, knowing I’ll be tired, and the sun will be setting. I’ll be wearing my LED lights.

Friday: Gym

Expecting deadlifts to lead a full-body workout. Keeping it light-ish. It’s all about stability, flexibility and injury prevention. I have no interest in doing anything that’ll compromise my Sunday run.

Saturday: 7-8 miles easy

Not worried. Excited to get out there again.

Expected total weekly miles: 52

Fitzie’s track of the day: Youth Gone Wild, by Skid Row

And now for your links:

The Times: “Thomas Frank’s sessions bored players — and he rated only Pedro Porro”

Matt Law: “De Zerbi, Pochettino and Keane on Tottenham shortlist to replace Frank”

Alasdair Gold: “The 10 moments that led to Thomas Frank being sacked by Tottenham”

Jack P-B et al ($$): “Thomas Frank was meant to bring stability to Spurs, but ended up unpopular with fans and players”

Miguel Delaney: “Tottenham are a giant mess after sacking Thomas Frank and the blame is clear”

Sami Mokbel: “Frank’s downfall: Inside his struggle to get players and fans onboard”

The Guardian: “Sean Dyche sacked by Nottingham Forest after Wolves draw”

OK, I’m going to start with a disclaimer: you should take whatever you read here with an entire salt mine, because not only is it super early for this kind of speculation, but we’ve also already established that Tottenham Hotspur did not have a succession plan in place for who would succeed Thomas Frank before they fired him this morning. So consider everything below this paragraph as rank speculation.

But with that in mind, we do have said speculation that we can pass on. And of course, that speculation comes courtesy of our good friend Matt Law, writing for the Daily Telegraph. Law writes that while the club decides what it wants to do (sidebar: hnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggg) there are names that are emerging on a potential managerial shortlist. Those names include former Brighton and Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi, former Spurs and current USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, and former Tottenham striker and current Ferencvaros head coach Robbie Keane.

Now, before we get into any of the specifics, Law makes it clear that the club doesn’t really know what it wants at the moment, or whether they’d be open to a permanent replacement now, or an interim with a permanent hire after this summer’s World Cup. That makes these three names extremely interesting, but for different reasons.

Let’s start with De Zerbi, which if you are a correct-thinking Tottenham fan, the idea should be chucked in the bin immediately. De Zerbi recently stepped down from a disastrous stint at Marseille as manager where he managed to both piss everybody off including his players and also somehow both sign and defend Mason Greenwood who was credibly accused of sexual assault while at Manchester United. I will go out on a limb here and say that there are plenty of non-footballing reasons why De Zerbi should be nowhere near a Spurs managerial shortlist, but also the football hasn’t exactly been stellar either. Also, I can’t see him agreeing to come in as an interim so that appointment should be considered a full time hire, and if there’s serious interest here I will be the first person to start an online #NoToDeZerbi campaign. It’s a no for me, Clive. The hardest of passes.

Pochettino is the fan’s favorite for permanent manager, but considering he’s about to lead the USA to a World Cup on home soil there doesn’t appear to be any chance he’d be willing to break his contract to come save a damaged Spurs from relegation. Spurs very well might end up rolling back the clock and getting the band together under Pochettino, but it won’t be before Spurs take the pitch against Arsenal.

Robbie Keane is an interesting choice in the Michael Carrick mode. I don’t have any opinions (yet) on Keane’s suitability but he currently has them top of the table in the Hungarian league and led them to a respectable 12th and the playoffs of the Champions League this season. Again, it’s not clear he’d be interested in leaving a pretty good job for an interim position at his old club, or whether Spurs would be prepared to offer him the job permanently if he does a good enough job in what remains of the Premier League season, but he’s also Robbie Keane, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The final option would be an internal hire, and Law suggests if Spurs promote an interim from within it’ll be Johnny Heitinga, who Spurs just appointed in the last month to replace Matt Wells, who left for a head coaching position in MLS. Heitinga flamed out at Ajax in what should be a one horse league and there are suggestions he might not be up for a head coaching job in the Premier League, but if the remit is “not get relegated” then there are probably any number of guys who could do the job and Heitinga is one of them. I’m not necessarily opposed to Johnny Heitinga if the end result is Premier League safety and a firm handshake/farewell at the end of the season, but it doesn’t exactly scream confidence in the club’s ability to form a succession plan. (Also — Justin Cochrane exists?)

Looking to a summer appointment, Law also notes that Fulham manager Marco Silva and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola are both out of contract this summer, and there will likely be other managerial possibilities after the World Cup, should Spurs want to lay track with someone ahead of time. Other names mentioned included Martin Jol, Harry Redknapp, and Edin Terzic, late of Dortmund.

Personally, I feel like the club is floundering and that despite publicly printed “shortlists” we really have no idea what the club wants to do. But if you’re looking for possibilities to think about or even, dare I say it, dream on, now you have a few. Tottenham’s players have the full week off this week as Spurs are already out of the FA Cup, so I’d expect we’ll know before the weekend.

Good morning everyone, and welcome to another edition of Trending Up / Trending Down, where hoddle headquarters takes a look at who around Tottenham is trending up, and who’s trending down.

Spurs don’t play another match until 22 February, making this a perfect time to gauge where things stand around the club. It also gives us all a good 12-day break from having to watch this team play, because it is bad.

I went for a run after Tuesday’s game, and I got increasingly angry with the result and the potential relegation permutations that might await the club at the end of the season. I had planned on today’s hoddle being about a Heung-min Son bobblehead for the Los Angeles Dodgers or the incredible athletic prowess of Norwegian cross country skier Johannes Hosflot Klæbo, but instead I’m doing this.

That makes this a difficult time for me to really identify how to group everyone in these two categories. I think I’ve settled on it, though.

Trending Up:

Xavi Simons: His development is probably the most exciting thing happening on the pitch right now. That’s really not saying a lot. There’s still a lot of raw product to develop and hopefully whatever happens with Thomas Frank doesn’t derail him.

Mauricio Pochettino: The fans were singing his name at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday. The man was sacked almost seven years ago and his figure still looms large over the club and its fanbase. It looms so large, in fact, that Thomas Frank was even asked about the fans singing Poch’s name.

The Argentine during a recent podcast said a Europa League title is still not good enough for a club of Tottenham’s side. For him it’s all about the Premier League and Champions League - which goes back to his old day at Spurs but also is a little more reflective of the vision Daniel Levy laid out after sacking Ange Postecoglou this past summer. Could a shadow Tottenham manager be emerging?

Trending Down:

Tottenham Hotspur: The players look as if they have no confidence in themselves. The manager is on the bring of getting sacked. Boos travel wherever the club plays, but they are always the loudest at Bill Nicholson’s burial ground. They’ve won two games since October and sit five points above the drop. Games that would in the past be seen as opportunities to maintain a spot in the top four are now six-pointers to save themselves from a catastrophic relegation. It’s bad.

Thomas Frank: The Dane has occupied this spot in, by my count, at least three straight times now. I don’t understand how worse it can get for him. The club sit 16th with no signs of improving. The fans continue to boo him, and questions continue to swirl around just how long he can hold on to the job.

Ftizie’s track of the day: Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away), by Motley Crue

And now for your links:

Matt Law: “Tottenham must survive at any cost and then turn to Mauricio Pochettino”

BBC: “Frank insists he is safe - but will he avoid Spurs sack?”

The Athletic ($$): “Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 – Where does Thomas Frank go from here? Has Jacob Ramsey finally arrived?”

Alasdair Gold: “Every word Thomas Frank said on his future, sack chants, his Arsenal claim and Odobert injury”

The Standard: “Three things we learned from Tottenham loss as Thomas Frank can no longer ignore the obvious”

David Hytner: “Thomas Frank ‘convinced’ he is still right man for Spurs job despite Newcastle loss”

Sometimes there just isn’t much you can say. Tottenham Hotspur took the pitch on an awful night of weather, hosting a Newcastle team that also hasn’t been playing its best lately. Spurs are horrifically injured, but even more horrifically coached and once again limped to another home loss at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, falling 2-1 to Toon. After a horrific first half display of long ball football and terrible offense, Malick Thiaw gave the visitors the lead with a goal in the 5th minute of extra time in the first half. Archie Gray gave Spurs a modicum of hope in the second half with a tidy finish to level the score in the 64th minute, but the optimism lasted just three minutes, and Newcastle found themselves back in the lead after the simplest of finishes by Jacob Ramsey.

It was a lead that Spurs never made up, falling once again at home. Tottenham have taken just one win from their last eight, and at the time of this article’s posting are just three points ahead of West Ham with the Hammers leading at home against Manchester United. It’s hard to say otherwise now — Tottenham Hotspur are in a relegation battle and will need every single point they can.

A listless performance and a terrible, awful loss. Here are my match reactions.

Match reactions

I’m basically this kid now.

It’s a back four for Frank after a couple of matches in a hybrid back three. I don’t love the idea of Archie at RB, but honestly if Souza isn’t ready to start, I’m not sure there’s much of a choice. And he was… well, fine?

The weather looked absolutely frightful and I wonder if it didn’t impact the way this match played out. Spurs actually had a lot of space in front of them early and had a few decent breaks but the wet conditions seemed to have an impact on finishing.

First half tactics were basically hoof-and-run, which makes sense on a couple of levels — the weather conditions were appalling, and also Spurs can’t pass their way out of a paper bag so why not try something else? Maybe they could get a lucky break behind Dan Burn. (Update: they didn’t)

You know what this match really needed? For Wilson Odobert to do his knee. Thanks, universe. That rules.

A pretty good summary of the first half was Pape Sarr getting booked for diving in central midfield, and then Newcastle scoring on a simple through ball break two minutes later that inexplicably got called back by VAR for offside.

Y’all I know people have been clamoring for Mathys Tel to get more minutes, but I’m starting to understand why Frank doesn’t play him more. I am coming around to the idea that he just might not be very good.

As negative as I’ve been in these reactions thus far, that was a tidy finish by Archie Gray, and I’m so pleased for him. Nicely centered by Sarr. Now if only we could figure out how to score a goal from open play…

Newcastle’s second goal was almost comically simple. Just a simple roll to the center of the box and there’s a player wide open. I can’t believe it was that simple to score, but then I maybe shouldn’t be surprised, I’ve been watching this team all season.

I could talk more about the second half, but there doesn’t seem to be much point. Likewise, is there a point to running Thomas Frank back out there against Arsenal? I don’t think there is. Spurs are in a relegation scrap now and staying the course is no longer an option the club can afford. There are 12 days until Spurs play football next. Treat it like an international break and find a capable interim head coach who can at least get this team ticking a little bit.

Have you had enough of watching Tottenham Hotspur play football this season? Well, good news, everyone! This is Spurs’ last match for a week and a half. The bad news? The reason for said break is Spurs’ early elimination from the FA Cup; and we still have to suffer through a match against Newcastle United first.

A break couldn’t come soon enough for this Spurs squad either. Numbers are dwindling, with injuries seemingly like some even more grotesque rendition of the Lernean Hydra; one injury heals, another two are doled out in its place. The latest of these is Destiny Udogie, who just can’t seem to keep fit, while Cristian Romero has made matters worse with his straight red card against Manchester United landing him a four-match suspension.

Spurs come up against a Newcastle side who aren’t exactly flying high either. Sitting in midtable, they’re also in something of an injury crisis; though if Newcastle’s is a crisis, I don’t know WHAT that makes Spurs’ situation… a calamity? A catastrophe? Either way, in some ways, this is the best time to be taking on Newcastle. Unfortunately, from Newcastle’s perspective, this is probably the best time to be taking on Spurs.

Here we go again…

COYS!

Lineups

Lineups will be posted closer to kick-off.

Live Blog

How to Watch

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Time: 2:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. UK

TV: Not televised in USA, TNT Sports 3 (UK). Check international listings at livesoccertv.com

Streaming: Peacock

Match thread rules

The match thread rules are the same as always. To any visitors coming here for the first time, welcome! We’re glad you’re here! Wipe your feet, mind the gap, and be sure to check out the other pages at this outstanding site. While you’re here, though, we have a few rules and regulations:

Absolutely no links to illegal streams. They’re bad and they get us in trouble. Violators will be warned or banned.

We have rules against “relentless negativity.” Nobody likes a Negative Nancy. Don’t knee-jerk and post outlandish or hurtful things just because you’re frustrated.

Along those lines, outright abuse of players or match officials is also not allowed. It’s fine to say “wow, that was a really bad call,” but it’s NOT okay to direct copious amounts of abuse in the direction of said official over a call you did not like.

Treat other people in the match thread the way you would want someone else to treat your grandmother. Be nice. This is a community of fans, not an un-moderated message board.

NO SPIDERS!

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Have fun, and COYS!