Football London

James Maddison has stressed the importance of creating a positive environment for Tottenham's youngsters in wake of Sunday's 5-1 humbling at Liverpool. Spurs did take the lead early on at Anfield through Dominic Solanke but they were well beaten on the day as the Reds secured the Premier League title in style.

Tottenham's defeat was their 19th of the Premier League campaign and it leaves them one point above West Ham in 17th with four games remaining. Now preparing for their biggest game of the season as they host Bodo/Glimt in a Europa League semi-final on Thursday night, Maddison is well aware of the role he has in the squad given he is vice-captain.

Due to Ange Postecoglou having a very young squad at his disposal, Maddison has opened up on the need to inject some positivity and not dwell on what was a very "embarrassing" result at Liverpool

"It's a balancing act and it's part of my role as a senior player. You want to feel the hurt and the embarrassment of how Sunday went. Because losing any game 5-1 is a little bit embarrassing and Liverpool obviously won the Premier League on the day, so it was a very negative day for us as a club," said the attacking midfielder in his pre-match press conference.

"But my job as a senior player is to not accept the fact that we were poor and we can't go forward like that, because the league is important - it gives you the momentum to take into Europe. But also just trying to put it to one side and I said that post-match. Especially because we have a lot of young players you need positivity.

"You need them to be feeling good and ready to go into Thursday. If we're dwelling on Sunday for too long, it's a quick turnaround, it's only a few days' preparation. So yeah, trying to get them feeling positive again and get a nice feel about the group.

"So like I said it's a balancing act. You want to feel the hurt of Sunday but it's a quick turnaround so it's my job as a senior player to get the positivity back into us as a group so we're ready for Thursday and can go in confident."

When he was asked how he feels after a bad result like the one at Liverpool, he added: "I don’t feel personally responsible because it is collective. It is everyone. No-one in the whole club - from top to bottom - can be satisfied internally, to be satisfied with where we are.

"It definitely hurts. The hurt, it is a tough one. Like I said, I had to do an interview at Liverpool on Sunday and we have lost 5-1. It is a little bit embarrassing, I am a bit embarrassed myself and you have to go and talk.

"And I know no-one actually wants to hear what I have got to say because they want to see the reaction. And get the reaction. And that is the chance we have on Thursday night which is the beauty of the quick turnaround because we can go and put it right on Thursday if we get a good result.

"And then in seven days time we have got another massive game and if we get through that, we are in a European final so there are positives there. But we have got to go and do it and we have got to show them we are just as hungry as they are to win something."

James Maddison spoke to reporters on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt and we've got every single word he said.

Tottenham are looking to create something historic out of a season that has brought disappointment in the Premier League but some big performances in Europe. Now Ange Postecoglou's side with Maddison in the midfield has a chance to book their spot in the Europa League final in Bilbao next month if they can overcome their Norwegian opponents in the two legs ahead in the coming eight days.

Maddison held a press conference in front of the assembled media at Hotspur to discuss the big match this week, his form this season and that painful hit he took in the quarter-final second leg win in Frankfurt to earn the penalty that Dominic Solanke scored to send Spurs through. He also spoke about Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel among plenty of other topics.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Maddison and here's the full transcript from the press conference at Hotspur Way.

How big a game is this for you and the team?

It's huge. When you get to the end of your career and look back, there's probably not many times any player's been in a European semi-final. Maybe once, twice, a few times if you're lucky, if you're at the real big clubs. We have to use that that we're in the final four of a massive competition in Europe and use that as motivation to have a great tie on Thursday and away in Bodo the following Thursday. Because we've got a really special opportunity. There's obviously been a lot of talk about the form and it being quite a poor season but we still have the opportunity to do something very special. But we're in the last four of a European competition but you've earned that, you don't just get placed there. We deserve to be here so it's a challenge we're going to relish. It starts on Thursday night.

How easy is it to park the Premier League form for a game like this?

It's a balancing act and it's part of my role as a senior player. You want to feel the hurt and the embarrassment of how Sunday went. Because losing any game 5-1 is a little bit embarrassing and Liverpool obviously won the PL on the day, so it was a very negative day for us as a club. But my job as a senior player is to not accept the fact that we were poor and we can't go forward like that, because the league is important - it gives you the momentum to take into Europe. But also just trying to put it to one side and I said that post-match. Especially because we have a lot of young players you need positivity.

You need them to be feeling good and ready to go into Thursday. If we're dwelling on Sunday for too long, it's a quick turnaround, it's only a few days' preparation. So yeah, trying to get them feeling positive again and get a nice feel about the group. So like I said it's a balancing act. You want to feel the hurt of Sunday but it's a quick turnaround so it's my job as a senior player to get the positivity back into us as a group so we're ready for Thursday and can go in confident.

What have you made of Mathys Tel's development and Spurs have an option to buy him, would you pay £45m to sign him?

I haven't got £45m! He's been very good since he's come in, I think. When he first came in, we had a few injuries, so he was playing as a No9 and he's played off the left as well. Direct player. He's got good feet and he's very tricky. He can definitely be someone who scores goals. Sometimes you see wide players who are goal-scorers and wide players who are one-v-one specialists. The top players have both. I think he's definitely a goal-scorer, he can be a threat. And I think he's done well. He hasn't played an awful amount but recently he's been in the team more. For myself playing from that left side of midfield in central, we've grown a little bit more of a relationship and understanding of what kind of player he is. I know Sonny, I know what Sonny's going to do there, what I expect from him. I think that's grown with Matty off the left. I think there's a real good player there.

Is this Europa League run an opportunity you can't personally afford to waste?

Yeah, definitely I feel like that. I'm very motivated to help the team have success. We got to the semi-final of the Europa Conference League with Leicester and lost to Roma over two legs. Roma went on to win the competition under Jose Mourinho. And I remember the two legs very clearly. At the time, it was a few years ago, I probably didn't realise the magnitude of what we were trying to achieve until now. That's what gaining experience is, I guess, right? It's important for myself and the team that we're ready and we don't let any small details get in the way. It's a very important fixture for us.

Bodo are a small club - does that put more pressure on you guys?

I don’t think so. If you watch football, you’ve seen Bodo play over the last number of years. They’re always in Europe, aren’t they? They’re a team that pops up regularly in Europe. They played at United this year, they played at Arsenal, they’ve played at some of the big Italian clubs and they’ve had good results.

If you’re a fan of football and you watch European football, you’ll have seen them play, definitely. We’ve obviously done some preparation on them. You talk about their population (of 50,000) but that almost adds to their unity as a club and that kind of family feel.

We know it’s going to be tough. We’re not taking this game lightly at all, I can promise you that. We know it’s going to be a tough game, two legs, especially away from home but tomorrow is the home leg and we have to make them feel that.

But still this is their first year in the semi-final, every game is a bonus, and for you this is the last chance to do something big this year, how does it affect the dynamics?

I could probably just copy and paste the last answer, to be fair. I’ll reiterate: they’re in the last four. You can say anything is a bonus but they’ll be ready. They’re not going to turn up and be wowed by the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium because they’ve been to Old Trafford, they’ve played at Arsenal, they’ve had great results in Europe.

We’re not going to be lulled into the fact that they’re coming to a big stadium and be wowed by that. We know they’re going to be ready. We’ve seen it, we’ve watched the European clips, they’re a good team. We’re ready for them.

Can you talk to us about Ange Postecoglou, there's been a narrative about him during this difficult season and whether he stays, can you summarise the feeling within the camp?

We’re behind the manager 100 per cent. I think he’s a great man. He’s the first person to tell you and I’ll tell you myself we’ve had a poor season in the league. We’ve been very good in Europe but the league season has probably been unacceptable and we can all take a collective responsibility for that, but he’s my manager, he’s my gaffer, and I respect him an awful amount.

The narrative is something we players try and keep away from because it’s not healthy to read into what you lot are talking about the manager’s position. I just know I come into work every day and see the lads listening, taking on the messages, how he wants to play, and the coaches and trying to do what’s best for this club.

And, like I said, we’re in a very good position in Europe where we can still have a special season under his management, so I’ll continue to do that until the day he isn’t here. He is my manager and I respect him an awful amount and that will continue.

The supporters are embarrassed, hurt and angry. Do you owe them one in this competition, given what they’ve been going through?

They or we? We’ve been going through it.

Yeah but you’ve been putting them through it with the results in the league…

On purpose?

No but don’t you feel you owe them one?

We definitely want to them reward them for the support that they give us by creating something special because the League hasn’t been good enough, definitely. But it hurts us as well, let’s not create the narrative that…yes, it’s us players out there and we take responsibility for that. But it hurts me a lot that we’re having a poor season.

But this is why we’re so motivated for this competition because the season can still be so special. People talk all the time about Tottenham being without silverware for however many years, but we’re in the last four and we’ve got a great opportunity in a competition we’ve been pretty solid in this year.

Ok, maybe I worded it a bit wrong, but we want to reward them because we feel the support. At the end games and you’ve lost again, you over and you want to thank them for the support and I know they don’t want to hear it from us. Even this press conference and the interview on Sunday, they’re not really that bothered because words are just words. But it hurts and we’re trying to put it right. That’s the main thing, that hunger is there. It doesn’t always work how you want it to, but this is a unique situation that we’re in in the last four in Europe when we can go and reward them for their support because they do travel everywhere.

We are very grateful for that, even in the league position we’re in and we’ve got nothing to play for, they’re still selling out Liverpool away and we do appreciate that. They are supporting us. It hurts us as well. We’re not satisfied as well. We’re in this together.

How do you personally feel after some of the bad results like Liverpool?

I don’t feel personally responsible because it is collective. It is everyone. No-one in the whole club - from top to bottom - can be satisfied internally, to be satisfied with where we are. It definitely hurts. The hurt, it is a tough one. Like I said, I had to do an interview at Liverpool on Sunday and we have lost 5-1. It is a little bit embarrassing, I am a bit embarrassed myself and you have to go and talk.

And I know no-one actually wants to hear what I have got to say because they want to see the reaction. And get the reaction. And that is the chance we have on Thursday night which is the beauty of the quick turnaround because we can go and put it right on Thursday if we get a good result.

And then in seven days time we have got another massive game and if we get through that, we are in a European final so there are positives there. But we have got to go and do it and we have got to show them we are just as hungry as they are to win something.

You've played alongside Lucas Bergvall this season, in what ways has he developed and what's he been like behind the scenes in his first year in English football?

He was very keen to start - he was very enthusiastic like a little bee! He was just everywhere - on the pre-season tour you would turn the corner and he was just there, happy. I guess that’s the youthfulness of him. He’s a brilliant player and a fantastic talent, Tottenham have done amazingly well to get him to the club and to get him to sign a new contract which is brilliant for everyone at the club.

He's got some learning to do within the game, I guess, but he’s so young that that is fine. What he will have learned as well without even realising it … his journey this season which has just gone like that [points up] - it’s not been a gradual trajectory. He will have learned so much that next season he will be in a much better place in terms of what he has learned from the Premier League.

When he first came in, he was a big powerful boy but I don't think his body was up to the intensity of the league that we all know very well. Once he got to grips with that from playing so much because of the injuries that he has probably caught up quicker than you would have expected.

But the talent is there and he’s got a good head on his shoulders. He always means well and is always willing to learn. I always help him as much as I can because anyone who is willing to learn you want the best for. He’s not someone who has come in, got straight into the team and tried to have himself a little bit.

He’s kept grounded and he’s actually growing - I hear him demanding of other players and I love that. I love that he is in a place where he is confident enough to say to an older player, ‘come on’. I think that has obviously come from this season and the experience he has learned. So great future.

Ange Postecoglou held his press conferences on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt and we've got every single word he said.

Tottenham welcome the Norwegian side on Thursday night looking to turn a disappointing season into something to remember. They will have to take on the huge game without captain Son Heung-min with the South Korean ruled out of the encounter by the Spurs head coach.

Postecoglou spoke about the skipper's foot injury and when he could be back as well as Lucas Bergvall's new contract, which was signed this week until 2031. The Australian also discuss the club's efforts to get their Premier League game against Aston Villa moved next month in case Tottenham do reach the Europa League final in Bilbao.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Postecoglou and here is a full transcript with every single word the Australian said at the press conference at Hotspur Way.

What is the latest team news, is Son available?

No, he won't feature tomorrow night. He is out training but is still separate from the group. He is improving and hopefully we can get him back sooner rather than later.

You have experience of Bodo before with Celtic, what do you expect from them?

Yeah, they have been pretty consistent the last few years, obviously same manager and core group of players, but definitely a distinct style of football that they have stuck to and they've had success with. They've been pretty consistent in the Norwegian league but also in Europe and every game they've played, irrespective of the opposition, they've played some really good quality opposition in Europe and always been really competitive. I think that is very borne from the fact they are very stable, have a clear understanding of how they play their football. It will be a good challenge for us.

A new contract for Lucas Bergvall, how much has he improved this season and how important is it for the club to build around players like him?

Yeah hugely so and I'm delighted for Lucas. It's reward for his development this year, his performances and how well he has adapted. We've got to remember a lot of young guys who come to the Premier League maybe have a step in between whether that is playing in another league, but he has come straight from the Swedish league, a year of senior football and it's a credit to him. He's worked really hard at his game. At the beginning he was struggling to cope with the intensity and tempo, as you'd expect and we expected.

A lot of our football and life in general is opportunity. He had an opportunity this year because of the situation we were in and he grabbed it with both hands. And even now, we've virtually got a full squad to pick from and he's still being selected because he took the opportunity. I think there is a core group of young players here that hopefully we can build something from.

Jumping ahead, if Spurs can advance through these two legs, the club have tried to move Aston Villa fixture in case of a Europa League final. We've seen foreign leagues do this, is this something the Premier League should do to help out?

I haven't looked too deeply into it and I don't know what precedence there is, but like you said I know other leagues obviously do it which you can kind of understand for a European final. I'll leave that to the powers that be. I'll concentrate on trying to get us there first of all....Well done on the marathon mate, congratulations. Well done.

The club have worked with fan group THFC Flags to put on a tifo display and flags will be available to fans throughout the group, how important is that unity tomorrow night?

Yeah, really important and again guys that have travelled with us throughout Europe, whether this year or other years, you see the impact that has when you play in opposition stadiums when the supporter base really feels engaged with the club, with the team and with the occasion. It will be hugely important for us tomorrow night. Our fans in Frankfurt were outstanding and to be fair in Europe this year, all the European games, even the Frankfurt home game I thought it was a fantastic atmosphere and we are going to need it tomorrow night. Again, it's a semi-final of a European competition, I am sure our supporters are excited, everyone at the club is excited and we want to make sure we get the best chance to perform at the best level so we can get through.

Are you superstitious?

Na, I used to be but not any more. I find it was kind of yeah, it worked against everything else I believe in my life because I never used to change one of those socks and then I thought, 'jeez, if it's just the socks, what am I doing?' What's the point of me being a coach if it is just socks that make the difference, so no I am not, mate. Sorry.

I asked because the last time Tottenham won a European trophy, Liverpool were champions, but the manager also left at the end of that season...

Jeez, it's a hell of a way to frame that question! (Laughs) Look I said before, and I get we're trying to run two parallel things here of a really disappointing season in terms of the league. But I just don't think that we can do anything other than really concentrate on an unbelievable opportunity we've got before us.

I just think irrespective of what kind of season you have, how often will you be in this position? History tells you not that often, irrespective of how strong you are as a club, even the strongest clubs in terms of Europe. So any thought of what's going to happen next year or what's going to happen this year I just don't think is really of any importance.

As I said last week, I think you ask any Tottenham supporter what's furthermost in their mind right now, what's going to happen next year or us hopefully trying to get to a final in Europe and the opportunity to win some silverware, I think the answer would be just concentrate on the now and that's what I'm doing.

That game against Bogo with Celtic was a few years ago, is there anything you can learn from those games?

Yeah, absolutely, like I said, same manager, similar style of play. When we played with Celtic, our season had got off to a slow start, but by that time we played some decent football, but I remember, because again we had the first game at home a bit like us and their ability to, to play at a really good intensity, they weren't fazed.

You know, the atmosphere at Celtic Park is unbelievable, they weren't fazed by that, they'd beaten Roma a couple of weeks before that and it really strikes you that I don't think they're going to be daunted by anything tomorrow that they face because they've been at Old Trafford, they've played at the Emirates, I think a couple of years ago, Like I said they've played some big clubs in Italy, they've played some big clubs in other countries and you see that they have this ability to not be fazed by that, and we've got to expect that tomorrow night.

I don't expect them to be overawed by the occasion, you know, sort of thinking 'wow'. They've got a real capacity to be really strong in their mind about what they need to do and and the away game is tricky because you're playing on an artificial surface in difficult conditions.

So I think there are still some real parallels there and having experienced it, I know that they're going to be a really tough opponent.

Throughout this season when it's been difficult in the league, you've constantly said to the players that they can still have a fantastic finish, and you're now two ties away from the final, what's your message to the players this week? You spoke about the Stonecutter's creed last week, any more Angeism's this week?

No, no, and that wasn't an Angeism. I'm still shocked that the whole room I was talking to had never heard of it before, but look, I think that still rings true. I'm really strong at the moment of these parallel worlds we're trying to traverse, and I've sensed, which is not surprising because I've said that before, that this is the way this club is perceived that people are always trying to diminish it in some respects, you know.

I've heard people say, well, it's the equivalent of Man United winning the FA Cup. No, it ain't. I'm sorry, it's not on any planet is it the equivalent. Others suggesting that maybe we're not worthy of Champions League. I mean, again, they're things that are designed there to diminish what's ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity.

Like you said, irrespective of how this season's gone we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else, to share again with the people that they love, a special moment, supporting their football club, so this season could have gone a lot differently and we could be flying in the league, but it wouldn't make this opportunity any different, the opportunity is the same.

I've made that clear to the players. We're disappointed obviously with Sunday at Liverpool, we were nowhere near the level we needed to be, but again, that's something we need to deal with separately. What we have before us is a semi-final of a European competition with an opportunity to get to a final, win a trophy, Champions League football. I just think for the players and everyone involved at the football club, it's a brilliant opportunity.

How do you assess the players' ability to perform physically tomorrow after the recent rotation and game management?

I think we're in a good place from that point of view. I think looking at the outputs of the players, I think we've got work into players who needed it. Others, we've had to manage. Because with a season like ours, where guys like Romero and Van de Ven and Destiny, guys who've missed a lot of the season, it's not just about getting them back, you've got to manage how you bring them back, how and when they play. Certainly all the guys we rested on the weekend - like Bentancur - all could have played - or like Pedro - on the weekend for sure. But it made sense for us to give them really good preparation. And the guys who played - Dom played 60, Madders played 45 - they're in a good place physically absolutely. We're going to need a big physical performance. Because again, Bodo work really hard as a team. But similarly to the Frankfurt games, I think the guys from a physical stand-point are in a good place to have a strong performance.

Is there an incentive to rack up a big score first leg without the away goals now?

I think you try and do that anyway. I think playing at home in Europe for every club has its advantages, and you want to try to take that advantage. As you said, Bodo away is a difficult challenge. But having said that, we played really well against Frankfurt at home, should have won by three or four. We ended up drawing. But the important thing was that we played really well and were dominant. That gave us confidence. Frankfurt away wasn't easy, their record is just as compelling as Bodo's. I think tomorrow night what's really important is that we put in another dominant performance. Hopefully if we create as many chances, it's time they go in rather than hitting crossbars and so forth. But I don't think you just go into tomorrow night thinking you're going to kill off the tie then. I just don't think... I think semi-finals for the most part tend to be pretty tight. And I expect that tomorrow night.

Bodo are a small club, you're a bigger club, how does that affect you mentally....

You'd love us to think that! That you're a small club and we don't rate....no, no, that's not how I.... I just said I think Bodo's there on merit. They beat Lazio, they beat Olympiakos, tough teams. They're there because they're a good football team. Doesn't matter where you come from. I come from the other side of the world, where football is the fourth sport. I don't underestimate anyone. You said we're a big club, they're a small club, it doesn't matter. We're two clubs in the semi-final of a European competition. And they've earned the right to be there. They've done very well to get there. And we're going to treat them with the respect they deserve. And at the same time, make sure that we go in there and give our best performance.

What's the main reason for Bodo/Glimt to reach this stage?

"They've been a real stable club, same manager, they've got a real clear identity in the way they play. As I said, I think they've created a real kind of resilience in the group, mental resilience that irrespective of who they play with, whether that's in the Norwegian league, or in Champions League qualifiers, or Europa or Conference, they treat every opponent the same and they play it the same level. That's why they've been a dangerous opponent for any team.

They're from a small town so are the underdogs?

That's what I love about the game, that's the beauty of football. Irrespective of where you come from, or the size of the place that you come from, if you're ambitious and if you have a clear plan, especially in our sport, you can create unique opportunities and create fantastic moments. I think that's what we love about the game, that's what we love about football. There's always been stories of clubs from smaller areas or small countries doing well in major competitions. That's always existed.

What do make of the Bodo manager?

Good guy. I obviously met him a few years back and has done really well. He has a clear identity of the way he wants his team to play, he has created a real strong culture at the club not just from a football perspective but from a mental perspective as well.

Will there be a replay of the Jose Mourinho clash?

I'm a bit different to Jose. That's the kind of results they have had in the past - it means you have to respect them. This is not just a one-off, that was four years ago and every year they have done that to more than one club that is supposedly bigger.

They have gone further this year and have earned it. Even to get to the knockout stage - Olympiakos are a tough team and won the Conference League last year. Lazio are a good side so they are not there by accident.

What do you make of their playing style?

I love their approach, I love that they are not intimidated by oppositions, I love the fact that they take the game to whoever they play. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Are you surprised they got this far?

I'm not. If it was the first year they had got results like that then you would say 'yeah, I'm a bit surprised' but they have been building towards that. Every year they have made an impact in Europe.

It has only been in recent years that they have been in Europe and the more you are in the more you get a chance to grow. They have grown every year. Irrespective of how it goes this year I would expect them to have another impact next year, maybe through the Champions League qualifiers and get to the Champions League. That wouldn't surprise me either.

They've got injuries and suspensions with Patrick Berg missing, how much will that affect them?

Missing Patrick Berg is a loss but has always been what they do as a team rather than individuals because over the last five years they have sold a lot of players and the team has always been consistent.

Ange Postecoglou has stated that he will leave the decision over Tottenham's Premier League fixture against Aston Villa to the powers that be. Spurs are due to play at Villa Park on the penultimate weekend of the campaign, with the game currently in the diary for Sunday, May 18.

The current date could prove very problematic if Tottenham are to reach the Europa League final, which takes place in Bilbao three days later. That in turn would leave Postecoglou's team with extremely little preparation time for a match of such significance, especially as they would likely travel to Spain on the Tuesday, providing of course that they do beat Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals.

Tottenham released a statement on Sunday morning revealing that they are in "discussions with the Premier League regarding a change in date to our away Premier League match against Aston Villa, currently scheduled for Sunday, 18 May". Spurs are understood to have suggested a number of alternative dates in order to allow for a larger block of days to mentally and physically prepare for a potential showpiece final.

Aston Villa are said to have opposed a move and now both clubs are waiting for the final verdict from the Premier League. As Thursday marks the start of May, all involved will want an answer sooner rather later as travel arrangements and other things also have to be taken into account.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Bodo/Glimt game, football.london asked Postecoglou if the Premier League really has to help out on this occasion given a number of foreign leagues do likewise when it comes to their teams playing in big European fixtures.

"I haven't looked too deeply into it, I don't know what sort of precedence there is to it," said Postecoglou. "I know other leagues do it, which you kind of understand for a European final. I'll leave that to the powers that be and I'll concentrate on trying to get us there first of all."

Amid question marks over when exactly the Aston Villa game could be played, Spurs first of all have to try and get the better of Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals of the Europa League. The Tottenham boss knows full well his side are going to be in for a very tough game.

"Bodo are there on merit. They beat Lazio, Olympiacos. They're tough teams," explained the 59-year-old. "I'm from the other side of the world. It doesn't matter where you're from. We're going to treat them with the respect they deserve and give our best."

He added: "Missing Patrick Berg is a loss for them but I think it's always been more about what they do as a team rather than individuals. They've sold a lot of players over the past five years but they've kept doing well."

Ange Postecoglou has revealed that Son Heung-min will play no part in Tottenham's Europa League semi-final first leg encounter against Bodo/Glimt. The Spurs captain has been suffering with a foot injury of late and last played for the team in the home draw against Eintracht Frankfurt in early April.

As a result, Son has missed out on the Premier League games against Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, as well as the brilliant 1-0 win in Frankfurt that booked Spurs a place in the final four of the Europa League. Heading into the semi-final showdown there have been big questions over Son's potential participation in the game.

Speaking on Sunday after the 5-1 hammering at Liverpool, Postecoglou stated that the South Korean international would be "touch and go" for Thursday night. On Wednesday morning, Son was not present for Tottenham training with the rest of the Spurs squad at their Hotspur Way base.

football.london were in attendance for the first 15 minutes of the session and the experienced forward appeared to be the only player missing apart from long-term absentee Radu Dragusin. Previewing the Bodo/Glimt semi-final, Postecoglou provided clarity on Son's injury status ahead of such a pivotal match in the team's season.

He said: "Son won't feature tomorrow night. He's still separate from the group and hopefully we can get him back soon."

When asked about the fitness of his players, he added: "I think we're in a good place. Looking at the output of players we've got some good minutes into players who needed it and managed the others.

"Players like Romero and Van de Ven have missed so much of the season, it's not just about getting back but how you manage when they come back. Dom played 60 minutes, Madders 45. They're all in a good place physically."

Postecoglou will be coming up against familiar opponents in Bodo/Glimt having faced them during his time as Celtic boss. The Scottish side crashed out 5-1 on aggregate back in 2022 but he will be hoping for a different outcome come Thursday evening.

"Same manager, similar style of play," said the Australian. "When we played them with Celtic, our season had got off to a slow start but by then we were playing good football.

"The atmosphere at Celtic Park is incredible and they had just beat Roma, they won't be fazed by anything that comes tomorrow. The away game will be tricky as well, you're playing on an artificial surface in different conditions."

Ange Postecoglou and James Maddison are holding their press conferences on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt.

Tottenham face the Norwegian side on Thursday night looking to put everything into these two semi-final legs to ensure their season ends with something special rather than disappointment. It looks like they will have to do so without captain Son Heung-min with the South Korean absent from training with the group on Wednesday morning at Hotspur Way.

Postecoglou will speak about the skipper's foot injury and when he will be back as well as Lucas Bergvall's new contract, signed this week until 2031. The Australian could also discuss the club's efforts to get their Premier League game against Aston Villa moved next month in case Tottenham do reach the Europa League final in Bilbao.

Maddison is also set to hold a press conference in front of the assembled media to discuss the big match this week, his form this season and likely that painful hit he took in the quarter-final second leg win in Frankfurt to earn the penalty that Dominic Solanke scored to send Spurs through.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to Postecoglou and Maddison. Scroll down for his updates from the press conferences at Hotspur Way.

Tottenham took to the training pitches at Hotspur Way to go through their final preparations ahead of the Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt.

With the match against the Norwegian side the huge date on Spurs' calendar to start next month, Ange Postecoglou and his coaches put the north London club's squad through their paces in the sunshine at the Enfield training complex ahead of the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Our Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold was watching the opening stages of the session at Hotspur Way as the media were allowed to observe the first 15 minutes and here's what he saw.

No Son

The obvious first observation was the absence of Tottenham captain Son Heung-min. The South Korean star has missed the past four matches with a foot injury and a fifth game out looks likely now after he was not involved in the session, certainly in those opening 15 minutes.

Postecoglou had said that Son was back on the grass last week and was improving but then sounded less positive after Sunday's defeat at Liverpool when he said it would be touch and go over whether the skipper played any part in the first leg and more feasibly could be back for the second leg next week.

If Son is out then it will be on the vice-captains Cristian Romero and James Maddison to step up in his absence to lead the team along with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Long-term absentee Radu Dragusin was the only other player missing from the session on Wednesday as even the unregistered players took part in the session.

Soaked Bassong

Before the players had come out, some of the Spurs content producing team were setting up an interview with former Tottenham defender Sebastian Bassong on the grass beside the training pitch.

However, the group had not accounted for a quick burst of the sprinklers on the grass to keep it slick in the hot temperatures. One of the sprinklers duly turned in their direction, sending water over them all, including the 38-year-old ex-Cameroon international.

We know people often play in sprinklers in the sunshine in their gardens, but this was not exactly the plan on this occasion.

Familiar pairings

Whenever footballers are asked to pair up for drills you can guarantee that, just like in the playground, all the friends immediately gravitate towards each other.

That meant that when the Spurs stars were asked to pair up for a cushioned volley drill, the usual duos emerged as James Maddison and Brennan Johnson quickly moved together along with the Swedes Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski, Spaniards Pedro Porro and Sergio Reguilon, South Americans Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur as well as Archie Gray and one of his friendship group Ben Davies, while plenty of the French-speaking players paired up.

Scary Romero

After that drill and another where the players had to run and jump over mini-hurdles facing different directions, they formed rondos in a separate area of the training pitch.

There are always players you don't want to face in a rondo, essentially like a schoolyard piggy-in-the-middle with various rules, with Erik Lamela always striking fear in the past into his former Spurs team-mates and the need for shinpads.

One of the groups that formed on Wednesday in the Enfield heat was a fearsome one with powerful tacklers Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall and the determined Dejan Kulusevski among others.

Romero is a purveyor of the sliding tackle in rondos, even with the media watching, but on this occasion he kept it clean, other than a little shove on Bentancur to let him know he was there. Nobody seemed to want to get the Argentinean in the middle but he did and won the ball back numerous times, with the fear factor no doubt playing a part.

Kulusevski was probably the most animated, going in hard but fair on Gray at one point as he looked to set the tone in the group.

No letting up on Lucas

He might have just penned a new six-year contract at Tottenham but there was no time for celebration for Bergvall as his team-mates ensured his feet were still firmly on the ground.

The 19-year-old was buzzing around the rondo with plenty of energy in the morning sun only to have Pedro Porro fire one pass straight between his legs to a team-mate on the other side.

Unusually in such a group, there were no celebrations from the Spaniard or banter sent the way of the Swede, which perhaps shows just how focused the players are on the task ahead.

Tottenham have been dealt a blow ahead of their Europa League semi-final clash against Bodo/Glimt with Son Heung-min absent from training on Wednesday morning. The Spurs captain has not featured for Ange Postecoglou's team since the quarter-final first leg win over Eintracht Frankfurt at the beginning of April due to a foot issue.

With Postecoglou speaking to the media on Wednesday afternoon to preview the Bodo/Glimt semi-final, football.london were in place at the club's training base to watch the first 15 minutes of training. However, there was to be no sign of Son with the rest of the squad.

Postecoglou will provide a further update on the experienced attacker when he holds his pre-match press conference. The boss did issue the latest on his star man when speaking to BBC Sport after Sunday's 5-1 defeat at Liverpool.

"It’ll be touch and go for Thursday," he said on Son. "He’ll try hard. If [he’s not ready] for the first game we think he’ll be ready for the second game.”

Amid question marks over when exactly Son will return to action, Mathys Tel could be in line to start again on the left flank in Tottenham's front three. The January loan signing has started Spurs' last four games and now appears to be showing glimpses of his quality as he is benefiting from an increase in playing time.

Following Spurs' semi-final first leg showdown against Bodo/Glimt, the Lilywhites travel to West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday before the decisive second leg in Norway next Thursday. Crystal Palace at home are to follow after that.

Tottenham's biggest match of the 2024/25 season is almost upon us. Thursday night will see Ange Postecoglou's side take on Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals of the Europa League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs have endured such a dismal Premier League campaign but they do have the opportunity to finish the term on a positive note at least by reaching the final in Bilbao and getting their hands on the trophy. Bodo/Glimt should not be underestimated, however, after recording some notable results in Europe this campaign.

The Norwegian side do have some injury and suspension issues going into the game and that could potentially work in Spurs' favour. The Lilywhites have an injury worry themselves as it's not clear yet whether Son Heung-min will be able to play a part going on the latest update Postecoglou provided after the Liverpool defeat.

So how exactly will Tottenham line up come Thursday evening? Here are the Spurs teams our writers would select for the European encounter:

Alasdair Gold - Tottenham correspondent

It all boils down to this. Postecoglou has kept most of his players fresh for this game and those who did start on Sunday were mostly looked after with substitutions either at half-time or around the hour mark, Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall aside.

Spurs need to go for it in this leg and really grab the tie by the scruff of the neck with the visitors missing a number of regular starters. The north London outfit tried to do that against Frankfurt but just couldn't get the ball into the net on more than the one occasion they managed it.

Postecoglou needs all of his creative players on the pitch and that means getting both James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski into the starting line-up. I would go with his original first choice back four, with Udogie having starred in both legs against Frankfurt and Lucas Bergvall, fresh from his new contract news, will bring the energy in the centre of the park alongside the completely rested Rodrigo Bentancur.

Up front, if Son Heung-min is available it's likely to be for a bench role after those recent weeks out. I'd go for Mathys Tel on the left again after his bright displays against Frankfurt and Kulusevski will need to be fitted back in his original right wing role.

Gold's team: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Tel.

Rob Guest - Football writer

Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham team should certainly have a refreshed look about it after resting a number of players for Sunday's defeat at Liverpool. The head coach elected against using Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven on Merseyside but the trio will return to the team to face Bodo/Glimt.

Destiny Udogie, who was excellent over two legs against Eintracht Frankfurt in the previous round, will likely get the nod to join the aforementioned trio in defence despite his woes at Liverpool. In midfield, Postecoglou will go with his preferred three of Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison.

That means Dejan Kulusevski is likely to shift into the front three, joining Dominic Solanke and Mathys Tel in attack. Amid question marks over Son Heung-min, Tel should get the nod as the Spurs captain is unlikely to be at full fitness after last featuring at the start of the month because of a foot injury.

Guest's team: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Tel.

Lee Wilmot - Head of Football

Once again, the season comes down to the next two midweeks. Will it be a semi-successful season or will it be an utter disgrace?

There is very little question about who plays in the starting lineup for me. Guglielmo Vicario, despite some mistakes of late, gets the nod in goal, more down to the fact there is no other option really.

Pedro Porro returns at right-back, with Destiny Udogie my pick at left-back following a good few performances. The central defensive pair of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero make up the back five.

In midfield, Lucas Bergvall must start, alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison, who is the best creative outlet we have.mIt's on the flanks where the big questions come.

If fit, Son Heung-min comes in for me. The captain is hugely important and his absence has been felt. Then, on the other side, I'm playing Dejan Kulusevski, with Dominic Solanke through the middle.

We have to play our strongest side and there is plenty to come off the bench if Kulusevski or Son are not fully for 90 minutes.

Wilmot's team: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son.

Former Tottenham star Harry Kane, who has been rumoured to make a Premier League comeback, is reportedly set to remain at Bayern Munich for another season, putting an end to any speculation.

Manchester United, one of the clubs linked with a move for the 31-year-old, are in dire need of a new striker this summer after managing only 39 goals in 34 games this season. Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have had lacklustre seasons, scoring a mere 16 times combined across all competitions.

In contrast, Kane has netted an impressive 36 goals in 44 appearances for Bayern Munich so far.

In his debut season, the 31-year-old found the back of the net 44 times in 45 matches.

Earlier this year, German publication BILD reported that Kane's contract at the Allianz Arena included a release clause, potentially allowing him to depart for £67million in January.

That figure is expected to drop to £54m this summer, drawing United's attention to the situation.

However, talkSPORT now reports that sources close to the England international have indicated he is content in Germany and wants to aid Bayern in securing the Bundesliga and Champions League titles before contemplating a move.

Bayern's upcoming match against RB Leipzig could see Vincent Kompany's side clinch the Bundesliga title, providing Kane with the first silverware of his career.

However, he will not participate after receiving a fifth yellow card against Mainz.

"Crazy, crazy decision," the England striker said.

"It's kind of my story that I'll miss the Leipzig game but no worries, I'll celebrate more than anyone else."

He also expressed his frustration, noting, "I'm very disappointed that I got the yellow card. Because I also knew I already had four yellow cards. It's crazy to be suspended with five yellow cards in 34 matches.

"It's just a crazy rule. There should be a reset of yellow cards halfway through the season, like in the Premier League."

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