David Estherby has messaged in to say:

“Have to agree with godfrey007 (8.33); it’s clear Ange prioritised a cup over league position last year, theres no way he would’ve let them slide to 17th or worse again. More importantly, there’s not a chance Spurs would be where they are if Vertonghen and Alderweireld were still there, let alone Kane. Club’s a mess but until the board prioritise Tottenham Hotspur over the Jacksonville Jaguars/Beyonce/the karaoke singer from the Bricklayers not a jot will change.

“S**t runs downhill, folks.”

Some more on Spurs…

Triani2

11 April 2026 9:09am

I think the problems at Spurs go deeper than the coach. But saying that - the decision making at the club has certainly contributed - especially with the choices of coach post Ange.

Frank inherited a squad built for the front foot, proactive football. We were promised flexibility from Frank after Ange's mostly myopic approach, but instead we kind of got a non-football under Frank which seemed to leave the players confused. Spurs didn't really have problems scoring goals under Ange. But that became difficult under Frank - with a focus on set piece play for a team that used to like to press from the front, have possession, play the ball on the floor and dominate games. With Frank Spurs started to launch it long (with a keeper who couldn't) - and that was the start and downhill from there. Historically bad xG's occurred game after game, players pölayed out of position or simply mis profiled. Frank's tenure was absolutely awful. Injuries played their part (when don't they at Spurs?) - and the club selling two season's in a row top scorers who weren't replaced certainly added bluntness in front of goal to the mix.

De Zerbi sees players in this Spurs team that can play the game in his style -or at least to his principles . As we've seen with West Ham - they are getting out of this mess by trying to win games. Spurs need to be more positive in their intent and they actually have the players to do this. Let's see if De Zerbi can raise the confidence levels.

The firing of Ange - after delivering a trophy - and with most of the season having a depleted squad as we have now (for context) - was an achievement. This talk of Spurs getting used to losing is denied by the EL win - an ultimate in winning. There was a sense of togetherness between players, fans and coach after Bilbao. The club decided to end that abruptly and the club hasn't recovered.

Today’s Premier League fixtures

• Arsenal v Bournemouth

• Brentford v Everton

• Burnley v Brighton

• Liverpool v Fulham

Arteta also admitted he is proud to be coming up against former team-mate Andoni Iraola, who is also from the Basque Country.

He said: “Yes, it’s amazing what he has done together with the club. The consistency that they’ve shown, the manner that they’ve done it and the amount of players they’ve sold - how they’ve then reinvented themselves. The run that they are on is incredible because we know how tough the Premier League is. When it comes to pride, it’s huge, when it comes to rivalry on matchday, it’s even bigger - it goes out the window.”

Mikel Arteta urged Arsenal fans to bring the noise at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon as the Gunners look to go 12 points clear at the top of the table.

He said: “We know the meaning of every match here and the opportunity that we have, especially when we play at home. We need to maximise every result. It’s about each individual and how we turn up there. It’s actually impacting the game, the atmosphere and energy in the stadium. Whoever comes tomorrow, I ask them to be with that mindset, energy and commitment, because the team is going to respond beautifully to that.”

It should be a good match between Arsenal and Bournemouth this afternoon, although I don’t think anything could beat this game… the DRAMA!

Now from one end of the table to the other… Arsenal will look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a win over Bournemouth at lunchtime. The Gunners currently lead by nine points, although second-placed Manchester City have a game in hand.

This could be a huge weekend for the title race, with Pep Guardiola and Co facing a difficult clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Speaking of “Ange-ball” – Roberto De Zerbi wants to bring it back as he attempts to prevent Tottenham’s first relegation in 49 years.

Another question for Tottenham fans, do you think the club would be in this position if Ange Postecoglou had stayed?

godfrey007

11 April 2026 8:20am

De Zerbi to bring back Angeball. Along with the majority of other Spurs fans, I can't help thinking that the club should never have sacked Ange in the first place! A terribly run club

With Burnley and Wolves looking pretty much certain to go down, the battle to avoid that last relegation place is heating up. Tottenham slipped into that spot last night following West Ham’s 4-0 win – and they face a challenging game away at Sunderland tomorrow.

Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are also down there. The question is, who will face the drop? Let me know what you think!

Thank you, James, for getting this Matchday live up and running while I battled through train delays to make it into London! I just about made it… eventually!

Anyway, Premier League football is back and we have four games to look forward to later today. Arsenal will look to extend their lead at the top of the table when they face Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium. Brentford then host Everton, with Brighton travelling to face Burnley at Turf Moor.

And in the late game, Liverpool will look to bounce back from defeats to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain when they take on Fulham at home.