Tottenham Hotspur

We make the journey to Dorset on Wednesday evening to take on Bournemouth, with kick-off on the south coast set for 7.30pm.

Over 1,300 Spurs fans will be in attendance. Gates at Vitality Stadium are set to be open from 6pm.

Supporters making the journey should take note of the following important information…

Trains

Supporters are advised that there are limited direct train services between Bournemouth and London after the game. Official coach travel - subsidised for this game courtesy of the Club’s partner, Castrol remains available to purchase here.

Bournemouth Central station is a 30 minute walk away from the stadium. Alternatively, the M2 More buses service is accessible from Pokesdown train station and runs up to every thirty minutes. The 22 runs from Bournemouth Train Station to Boscombe bus station and runs up to every thirty minutes, alight at Boscombe, Ashley Road for a 5 minute walk to the stadium. A step free access route is available through Kings Park from Ashley Road to the stadium and More Buses offer low floor buses with enough room for one wheelchair.

Parking

Supporters driving to the game have multiple parking options available. The South Stand car park is run by BCP and operates charges on a 24/7 basis; it reaches capacity roughly 75 minutes prior to kick-off, so arrive early. It may take up to 45 minutes to clear after the game. Payment can be made via https://myringgo.co.uk/.

Free parking can be found at Avonbourne Academies, which is open 1 hour 45 minutes ahead of kick-off, and is a 10 minute walk from the stadium. There are approximately 200 spaces in this car park, which will be locked an hour after full-time.

Alternative parking can be found at Sovereign Shopping Centre for £3.50 for four hours or £5 for 24 hours.

Several residential roads nearby have parking restrictions, which are enforced actively on matchdays. Supporters should ensure to be mindful.

Entering the stadium

Our supporters will be seated in blocks 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the East Stand, which can be accessed through Turnstile F.

Turnstiles will be open from 90 minutes before kick-off.

Accessibility

Bournemouth’s accessibility guide can be found here.

Wheelchair using supporters will have a view on a raised platform in Block 24 of the visitors’ section and enter the stadium via Entrance SG2 by Turnstile F. An in-seat catering service is available to disabled supporters on the raised platform.

Accessible toilets are available and supporters without their own RADAR key will be able to request one from a steward. A DC Lounge is open to visiting disabled supporters pre-match and is located in the East Stand.

Supporters requiring audio descriptive commentary headsets are asked to bring their own headphones as they are not provided.

Accessible parking in the Main Stand is free of charge. Blue Badge holders who park in the South Stand car park should note that charges apply, unless supporters can display a valid Disabled Tax-Exempt Vehicle parking permit (DTEV) which enables permit holders to park in most BCP off street and pay and display car parks without buying a parking ticket.

Access Stewards will be present in accessible viewing areas along with Tottenham Hotspur Access Stewards should any support be required.

Food and drink

Food and drink kiosks, located at various locations around the outer perimeter of Vitality Stadium will be open ahead of kick-off with refreshments also available from kiosks inside the stadium.

Payments

Vitality Stadium is a cashless stadium. All major debit and credit cards are accepted.

Bag Policy

Supporters are advised not to bring a bag to the stadium unless it is essential. Bags larger than A4 size will not be permitted.

Any supporters requiring medical exemption to the bag policy, or any prohibited items are strongly advised to contact the Club in advance of travel at access@tottenhamhotspur.com.

Prohibited items

Julie Blakstad became our fifth signing of the winter after she arrived in north London on Monday after two seasons with Hammarby IF.

The 24-year-old Norway international has racked up 184 appearances across previous spells in Norway, England – with Manchester City – and Sweden, but now returns to Women’s Super League for a new chapter at Hotspur Way.

From personal accolades to UEFA Champions League experience, here, we take a look back at her journey from her homeland to becoming a Lilywhite...

Julie began her footballing journey with Ottestad IL, based in a village in the Stange Municipality, progressing through their youth set-up into their senior side in the third division of Norway and went on to make a few appearances for the first team.

She later moved to FL Fart in the summer of 2018 and played a key role in helping them earn promotion to the Toppserien (Norway’s top flight) at just the age of 18 years old, scoring seven goals in 11 league appearances. Competing at the top level in her homeland for the first time in her career, she continued to impress at a young age, contributing with four goals in 22 games and was subsequently named the league’s Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Having featured regularly for Norway’s Under-19 squad in that term, scoring three goals in six qualification games for the Under-19 European Championship, Julie was named in their squad of the tournament, where she featured in all three group stage games for her nation.

Becoming a star in her maiden campaign in the Toppserien, it was unsurprising that the talented winger had offers across Europe for the next stage of her career but, in June, 2020, she opted to stay in Norway and join Rosenborg where she made an instant impact.

Making her debut in July, 2020, coming on as a second-half substitute, Julie scored the equalising goal to ensure her side gained a point with LSK Kvinner and, just a week later, she made it three goals in as many games with a brace in a 4-1 win over Lyn. She went on to make 20 appearances in total that term, scoring seven goals, as the Trondheim-based side went undefeated before finishing second in the table. Meanwhile, Julie was nominated for the league’s Player of the Year.

That strong campaign for Rosenborg saw her rewarded with a maiden call-up to Norway’s senior side in September, 2020, and in the October of that year, she made her international debut in a 1-0 win over Wales – a result that ensured her nation’s spot in the 2022 European Championship Finals.

A versatile individual who predominantly plays anywhere down the left-hand side, the personal accolades kept coming for the winger, this time winning the league’s Young Player of the Year award for the 2021 season - a year in which she netted 10 goals and contributed three assists in 17 appearances. She also opened her account in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, scoring and providing an assist on her debut in the competition – a 2-1 win over WFC Minsk in the qualifying round.

Off the back of that superb season, Julie was on the move again with England and Manchester City in her sights.

Making her debut for the Citizens against us in the semi-final of Women’s League Cup in February, 2022, she would later taste success in that competition as City went on to lift the trophy in the following month. She scored her first goal in England’s top flight in April – a 4-0 win against Leicester City – but that would turn out to be her only goal as she made eight appearances in total in the WSL.

In that summer, Julie enjoyed one of her standout moments of her career to date - scoring her side’s first goal at the 2022 European Championship Finals in a 4-1 win over Northern Ireland in the group stage.

The following term saw Julie make a further nine appearances, scoring twice, before heading out to Sweden to join BK Hacken on loan for the opening months of the 2023 Damallsvenskan season – a spell which saw her play alongside Josefine Rybrink, Anna Csiki and Hanna Wijk. In her short spell with the club, she registered four goal involvements (one goal and three assists) in 11 league games.

She was later named in Norway’s 23-player squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where her nation reached the last 16 of the competition before suffering a 3-1 defeat to Japan.

After spending the first half of the 2023/24 season back in Manchester, the Norweigian soon returned to Sweden on a permanent basis – joining Hammarby IF in January, 2024, alongside current Spur Cathinka Tandberg.

Despite having to wait until June to open her account for the club, Julie went on to score an impressive eight goals, along with eight assists, in 25 league games, while she also scored four goals in four matches in the Swedish Cup.

Netting in each leg in a second qualifying round clash with Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, Julie helped her side into the group stage of the competition, finding the back of the net once in a 2-1 win over St. Polten in the final fixture of the group phase.

Is there a subtle difference or a big difference between being a manager and a Head Coach?

Thomas: “I don't know. I think these days it's more or less that in all clubs there's a sporting director or a technical director or whatever we call it. There's definitely one above you, no matter if you're a manager or a Head Coach. If you're a manager I guess it's the chairman of the board or whatever it is, sometimes it’s the CEO, I think there's different constructions in clubs, most likely, no matter if you're the Head Coach or the manager, it's not like you’ve just got the key for the money box or whatever you call it, you just open it and pull out millions and just buy players and have no responsibilities, so for me, no matter what kind of title you have, it always needs to be collaborative between the Head Coach, the sporting director, ownership, leadership, whatever, so you're completely aligned in what you do. Then sometimes there'll be disagreements. We all push, we're all competitive, but that needs to be completely aligned. And again, that's where the biggest success you see is coming.”

How do you assess the Premier League table?

Thomas: “It's a very crazy league, very even league. I said that I think the competition between teams is very big. The difference between teams is very small. It's small margins, so we need to look optimistically and positive on the future, but also understanding where we are and keep working very hard to improve and make sure we are ready against a very good Bournemouth team. I know they haven't won as much lately, but they are a team that is very competitive with (Andoni) Iraola. I watched the game against Arsenal, that was a very tricky game that Bournemouth easily could have at least got something out of.”

When do you expect to find out the outcome of Cristian Romero’s FA charge?

Thomas: “That, I honestly don't know. I know he's available for Bournemouth – that's the game ahead for me.”

What can you say about Ben Davies after Sunday?

Thomas: “I think those type of characters are so underrated in many ways. Ben is a fantastic character, a true pro and I would say ambassador for this club. The things he experienced in the last 11 years here with all the ups and the downs and the ups and the downs, with 15 different managers or something like that... or at least a few. He's a fantastic guy to have. The way he stepped on the pitch with composure and personality just helped us a lot. I think he did very well.”

Can Mathys Tel get the minutes that he needs here at Spurs this season?

Thomas: “I think it's pretty fair to say that we are maybe a little bit short on offensive options, so hopefully. I think also it's fair, there's no one who's really grabbed that shirt on the left-hand side so I think that's definitely up for grabs. I think it was a positive performance from Mathys, I think he did some positive things and got into good situations. He had actually one where he bent it to the far corner where I think he's probably the best finisher from that position where I think he is a little bit disappointed in himself. It's fair, he's young, it's not like he played five games in a row… I hoped for course for him and for us that he could do it and we've seen it so that was good. I think he was also taking more care of the ball. I think it's a big thing, we spoke about that against Brentford and Crystal Palace, we lost the ball maybe 20 or 25 times – you should never lose the ball. That's also part of it. You can't break through, okay, you protect it, one more pass, two more passes, okay, then we go again. But overall, positive.”

Spurs dominated the first half against Sunderland but actually had less possession – can you explain that?

Thomas: “I think there’s a few things. The first thing is I agree with you, the first half was by far better than the second and even in the first half, it was not like we had 65 per cent or whatever. Sometimes it's not only about the possession, you like to dominate but they went man-for-man, so there was a lot of open spaces to run into. For me, that's more the critical areas that we didn't manage to punish from this game. Second half, I felt we dropped off in our drop-off runs to open up and keep the ball. I think also, it’s not like we won five games in a row and everything is just free and smooth so, when you're up 1-0 and you really badly want to win, that can be a little bit, maybe a little bit nervy. One thing is our name and our fantastic history, another reality is where we are right now.”

Are you eager to give Mathys Tel a run on the left wing?

Thomas: “I would say that he definitely had a positive impact. Let's see what will happen against Bournemouth, but I'm with you, it's also that fine balance of giving some players the trust for a run of games, so they can maybe hopefully find a bit of rhythm and also increase their performance level, then the tactical approach of the opponents, which players fit into that and get the right mix and balance in the team, but Mathys in general was positive.”

Does the FA Cup match against Aston Villa at the weekend come into your thinking when you select the team to play Bournemouth?

Thomas: “For me, it's head down and focus on the next one. The next one is always the one ahead of me, ahead of us. For me, the FA Cup is also hugely important. Both games will be treated very, very importantly. If there's rotation, then it's because of rotation of getting freshness and energy into the team and that will be the main focus.”

How has Dominic Solanke looked during his work at the training ground?

Thomas: “Today you could see in training that he's nice and composed on the ball, good decisions, good touches and then when we’re a little bit more competitive in the small-sided games, he is of course lacking and he looked a little rusty, which is completely normal. Now he's unfortunately been out for at least six months, a little bit more than that, so, of course, it will take a little bit of time. So, even if he's ready for whatever time in the near future, hopefully, then I think you will be surprised to just see him hit the ground running. Very few players do that.”

What can you say about Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth?

Thomas: “I think Iraola has done a top job down there. First and foremost being part of creating an interesting team with interesting players that have done well and developed them, so they've also gone to on paper play for big (clubs). They play a very aggressive pressing game, it’s one of the best pressing teams in the league, if not the best. They play with incredible intensity, when they do that they also play fairly direct, so if you press, boom there's a ball behind, so you need to deal with that. They have a very lively front four, no matter who plays, so that's where we need to be good and compete, but also be smart.”

We can confirm that George Abbott has returned to the club following his loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers.

The 20-year-old Academy product made 15 appearances in all competitions for the League One side after linking up with them in the summer.

He scored one goal during his tenure at Adams Park, which came in a 2-0 home victory over Northampton Town in September.

Thomas Frank is awaiting the results of a scan to determine the extent of Mohammed Kudus’ injury.

The winger was forced off in the first half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland and, speaking on Monday ahead of our midweek trip to AFC Bournemouth (Wednesday 7 January, 7.30pm UK), Head Coach Thomas said the Ghana international is still being assessed but “most likely” won’t be available for the game on the south coast.

“He’s going for a scan to clarify the issue so unfortunately I don’t have a big update on him,” the boss said at his pre-match press conference.

“He’s most likely ruled out for Bournemouth, yes.”

Thomas stopped short of clarifying when left-back Destiny Udogie – sidelined since the beginning of December – will be available for selection, although he confirmed: “He’s training and is looking better, so that’s positive.”

Xavi Simons is eligible again after serving his three-match ban for his sending-off against Liverpool on 20 December.

On Cristian Romero’s FA charge stemming from that match, Thomas explained: “We have appealed that. I know he’s available for Bournemouth – that’s the game ahead for me.”

Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke remain out, while Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Xavi Simons will be eligible to return to action on Wednesday night as we travel to AFC Bournemouth after he completed his three-match suspension.

The midfielder has missed each of our last three games (Crystal Palace, Brentford and Sunderland) after he was shown a red card in our defeat to Liverpool on 20 December.

That dismissal brought an automatic three-game suspension for the Dutchman but, now, having served that suspension, he has the chance to play at the Vitality Stadium this midweek.

Thomas Frank will provide a further team news update at his press conference this afternoon (Monday 5 January).

Ben Davies thanked our fans for their vocal backing after his goal against Sunderland on Sunday.

The Wales international defender marked his first start of the season with a close-range effort following Micky van de Ven’s low drive to break the deadlock at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, our first goal of the New Year and one that put us in the driving seat against the men from the north-east.

Chants of “Davies again, Ole, Ole” and “Ben Davies, he scores when he wants” rung around the ground at several points throughout the contest, with the long-serving left-back at the centre of a number of key moments at both ends of the pitch.

Naturally frustrated to have drawn the game 1-1 in the end, Ben – who received a similarly rousing reception when he came off the bench for his first appearance of the campaign against Slavia Prague in the Champions League – nevertheless reserved a word of gratitude for our supporters when asked about those songs.

“It was really nice – those are the things you miss in football when you’re not playing, so to get out there, to score today, to hear the fans… I feel like I’ve got a good relationship with the fans here. I think we’ve all gone through good and bad times together and right now, I feel how hard it is at times but we’re building something and we’ve really got to stick together. I definitely feel part of that.”

Reflecting on the match as a whole, Ben regretted not being able to capitalise when we were 1-0 up.

“It was a game of two halves, really,” he said. “In the first half I thought we were very good, dominated the ball, dominated the game and could have scored a couple. In the second half they came with a lot more intensity, we probably struggled on the ball to match it at times but there were opportunities where they went a bit gung-ho and left a few spaces in behind and that’s where I think we probably missed the chance to capitalise and make it 2-0.

“You want to punish teams when they take risks against you and in the second half they definitely did, there were moments where they left the defenders one-on-one and it was like a 50-50 moment that could have gone either way. Those are the moments where you really need the ball to bounce in your favour and to be clinical when you get the opportunities. Then obviously when they put the pressure on like they did, they got the goal, which was a bit of a sucker-punch really.”

Watch | Ben Davies reflects on Sunderland draw

Pape Matar Sarr will take on Yves Bissouma in this year's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

Having both progressed to the last eight with their respective nations on Saturday (3 January), Yves' Mali will now face Pape's Senegal in Tangier on Friday for a place in the semi-finals.

Beginning with Yves, he helped Mali to overcome Tunisia on penalties on Saturday after the nations couldn't be separated in normal time with the game finishing 0-0.

Yves played the full game in Casablanca, captaining his nation, before taking a spot kick himself. While he was unable to convert his penalty, Mali went on to defeat their north African opponents 3-2 in the shootout to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Pape, meanwhile, was an unused substitute as Senegal came from behind to beat Sudan 3-1 in Tangier.

Their quarter-final bout will kick-off at 4pm (UK) on Friday 9 January.

Julie Blakstad's first day as a Spurs player!  Tottenham Hotspur

Julie Blakstad feels the ambitions from the Club match her own and is now ready for another opportunity in the Barclays Women’s Super League after becoming our fourth signing of the winter.

The Norway international, who has 31 caps to her name, joined us from Swedish side Hammarby IF following the expiration of her contract, penning a long-term contract as she embarks on a new chapter in her career and a return to England.

“Spurs have a really good team, with a good mix of young and experienced players, which I think is great. This is a club with ambitions, and even though it’s a young club, I know that both players and staff members have high ambitions, which I really like.

“I also like that they focus on development, which I think is really important for me. I’ve always said that I wanted to play against the best players as often as possible - and I think this is definitely a good opportunity to do that.

“The last time I was here [in the WSL] was four years ago, so I was quite young when I came. It was my first time moving abroad, with a lot of new experiences, and I didn’t play as much as I wanted to, but I think I’ve grown a lot since then. I had two good seasons at Hammarby, including games in the Champions League, which has been really, really cool. It’s definitely really good to be back here.”

With Julie expected to link up with her new team-mates this week ahead of our return to WSL action on Sunday – at home to Leicester City for our first game of the new year – she already has a few familiar faces to lean upon at Hotpsur Way from her time in Sweden and in the national team with Norway.

“I know quite a few players already,” she explained. “I obviously played with Cathinka [Tandberg] at Hammarby IF and Signe [Gaupset] as well in the national team, and also some of the Swedish girls I played with at Häcken. So, it’s really nice coming here and already knowing some of the girls. I’m pretty sure the rest of the team are nice girls as well.”

Predominately a left-sided forward in the early parts of her career, Julie transitioned into a new role last term with Hammarby IF, switching as a full-back on the left, and she certainly made her mark in that position, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in 37 games in all competitions.

“I think I bring a lot of offensive style to that position,” she added. “That’s why I like it - I can come into the box quite late, which makes it hard for opponents to pick me up, and I can contribute with goals and assists, which I really enjoy. Hopefully I can bring that offensive part here as well.

On working with Head Coach Martin Ho, she said: “I heard a lot of good things about him as a coach. For me, I see this as an opportunity to develop as a player, not only to win games. In the position I play, and being quite new, I think he has a lot of things that can contribute to making me a better football player, which I find really interesting. I’m really excited to begin working with him.”