Preview; Europea League group J LASK v Spurs
Two defeats for us this season, one in the league, our first game of the season, and the second in this competition.
On Thursday night, we can hopefully book our place in the knockout stages. I believe we can do it, I know we can do it.
After our good runs in three competitions (which includes the League Cup, where we knocked out Chelsea) we will be on a high.
Harry Kane will miss the Europa League trip to LASK because of injury, but he is expected to be fit for Sunday’s derby against Arsenal. On that note, unfortunately, I was unsuccessful this time around (in the ballot). Two people in my WhatsApp group managed to get a ticket and will be sitting in the West Stand. Alas, not me!
Carlos Vinicius, Erik Lamela and Sergio Regulion are also in doubt for Thursday’s match in Austria (17:55 GMT kick-off).
On the nature of Kane’s injury, Mourinho said, “I’m not going to tell you the nature of his injury. He has a good chance [against Arsenal]. I don’t want to lie, I don’t want to hide anything in relation to is he going to play or not. I think he’s going to play. My feeling is that he’s going to play.”
As you will know, we are tied on nine points at the top of Group J but second to Antwerp because of an inferior head-to-head record. We can seal qualification with a draw at LASK.
Mourinho has said that he would not field a week team, even though we’ve got Arsenal in the first north London derby this Sunday. Who, I must add, are doing spittling dandy! I believe that the Gooner supporters turn the league tables upside down so that they can see their team go up the league. Let us hope they get their wish… the top spot, followed by relegation.
On that subject, Mourinho said, “The priority is always to try to win the next match. The next match is a Europa League match. If at the end of the match we have a draw that’s fine and we’ve qualified before the last match – but we’re not going to play for that. Arsenal doesn’t come into our thinking. When you make changes, you make changes based on problems we had. When we do that, we put trust on the players we have. We don’t weaken the team because the Premier League match is next.” Unlike Pochettino, who was no fan of the League, FA & Europa competitions. He’d preferred to throw all his eggs in the Premier & Champions league basket.
My thoughts and prediction
Mourinho and the team will be determined to secure our spot in the knockout stages in this match. Next week we welcome the current leaders Antwerp to our stadium
As for LASK, well they will be forced into a couple of modifications in defence. Which we are sure to fancy our chances.
I can’t see any other result than a comfortable victory for us at the Linzer Stadion. I think we go for the jugular.
My prediction: 3-0 or 4-0.
That is it, folks, until the next time stay safe.
Glenn
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1960s (the season of the double). In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London. I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books, Spurs handbooks, Spurs programmes etc.
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, going on holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
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