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      Gary Neville tells Eddie Howe clear reason why he should QUIT Newcastle for ‘next step up’ in his career

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      GARY NEVILLE claims Eddie Howe should leave Newcastle to better himself.And the Manchester United legend warned the Toon chief he might “lose” out – if he doesn’t depart soon.Gary Neville has strong views on Eddie Howe’s futureCredit: YouTube/ The OverlapEddie Howe is rated one of the favourites for the England job, in the unlikely event that interim chief Lee Carsley isn’t handed the job permanentlyCredit: GettyTalk of “friction” between Howe and Newcastle’s new sporting director Paul Mitchell has soared this week.And Neville explains why he believes a swift exit is the easiest way for the former Bournemouth boss to make the “next step up”.Howe has been linked with the England job since Gareth Southgate’s departure over the summer.And although interim chief Lee Carsley is now strong favourite for the permanent job, it’s Howe, along with Pep Guardiola and Graham Potter, who comes next in the betting odds.READ MORE TOP STORIESNeville reckons it’s time for the 46-year-old, who has ben in charge of Newcastle since 2021, to put himself first.The ex-England defender told The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast: “If I was Eddie Howe, I would go and look after myself“You’ve had a great Premier League career, you’ve done a brilliant job. “You’ve been fantastic at Newcastle. You’ve almost closed that chapter of their development.”Most read in SportFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSNev added: “England are in a great position with players. You’re going to be working with amazing players. “The next step up in Eddie’s career would be England. Man Utd title winner looks unrecognisable as he rejoins former club at 35 “It’s difficult to get a Chelsea job, or Man United or Liverpool. He’ll know that. “He might get Tottenham at some point in the future.“My point is for Eddie, it’s difficult… to win with England, you’d have a chance of getting one of those top jobs. “I think it’s his next step up, and I think he would take that job. “He’s got to be proactive and not wait for other people to determine his outcome.”Neville also suggested it might all go wrong for Howe unless he acts within the next few months – because of reported wrangling within St. James Park.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Sky Sports pundit argued: “I think he’ll lose if this drags on until January or February.”It ends for him but (by then) the England job has been given to someone else – and he’s lost both.” More

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      Non-league club’s stadium underwater as thunderstorms wreak havoc with entire pitch engulfed in flood water

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      A NON-LEAGUE club has suffered devastating flood damage following a thunderstorm for the SECOND time.Seventh-tier AFC Telford shared shocking pictures of the pitch and buildings at their SEAH Stadium covered in inches of water.AFC Telford’s pitch was totally submergedCredit: @telfordutdThe gym was among buildings at the stadium also soakedCredit: @telfordutdSome white lines on the pitch were just visibleCredit: @telfordutdThe rain left no corner dry at the SEAH StadiumCredit: @telfordutdThe Southern League Premier Central club immediately appealed for fans to turn up on Friday and help begin the huge recovery work needed.It comes in the week AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane surface was also destroyed by a downpour, meaning the League Two side can’t play at home for at least a few weeks.Back in 2022, Telford supporters grabbed mops and buckets for a similar rescue mission praised by the club as a “great response”.The destruction this time looks monumental too.READ MORE TOP FOOTBALLThe part-time outfit posted a video of their submerged pitch on Thursday night – with some of the white touchlines along the hidden grass just about visible underneath.Perhaps the most astonishing picture was from the side of a stand – showing many features of the ground deep below water.The club car park also got the sinking feeling.However, the one vehicle was seen perched, luckily, on a slightly higher section of grass against a fence on the far side.Most read in FootballThe car might have got off lightly, judging by this delugeCredit: @telfordutdFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOther photos showed water still gushing into buildings.Promotion-hunting Telford wrote on X: “This evening’s thunderstorm over Wellington has deluged the SEAH Stadium.This is the incredible story of how George Dowell found his purpose with Worthing FC “If you are available tomorrow (Friday) from 9am onwards we’d welcome any help you could give to help us get things straightened up and dried out.”Judging by the club’s pics, however, that description of the task sounded like an understatement.However, Telford can draw plenty of inspiration from their sodden sorrow of two years ago.On that occasion around 15 fans joined in the clear-up, while a local firm deployed an industrial pump and vacuum to drain the water away.Water came into the standsCredit: @telfordutd More

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      Tottenham 3 Qarabag 0: Dominic Solanke spares Radu Dragusin’s blushes after bonkers red card in Europa League clash

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      RADU DRAGUSIN’S early red card was so sloppy fans may have suspected he wanted to beat the traffic.But it proved a minor bump in the road as ten-man Tottenham motored to victory on their return to Europe in this heavily-delayed Europa League opener.Dominic Solanke was on fire as he ensured Spurs hit a bullseye on their Europa League openerCredit: RexRadu Dragusin was sent off just seven minutes into the gameCredit: ReutersBrennan Johnson opened the scoring after Solanke set up himCredit: ReutersPape Matar Sarr, bottom, netted from a cornerCredit: AFPTravel chaos involving the trains and major roads meant Qarabag did not arrive from their Stratford hotel until 7.45pm.It pushed the tie’s kick-off off back until 8.35pm – 35 minutes later than planned.The hold-up seemed to affect Dragusin’s concentration as he was caught in possession by Juninho and then hauled down the Brazilian, earning a seventh-minute sending-off.Spurs shrugged off the setback though as Brennan Johnson scored for the third match running just five minutes later.Pape Matar Sarr doubled the lead soon after the break, shortly before Tural Bayramov’s woeful spot-kick hit the bar from the visitors, and then Dominic Solane made it three.Qarabag were staying just six-and-a-half miles away in Stratford yet the issues on the road and train lines meant they were late and had to have a police escort for their final mile.Uefa regulations stipulate that both teams need to be at the ground 75 minutes before kick-off so a warning is set to come the Azerbaijani champions’ way.The wait affected their hosts more though as Dragusin allowed a routine Micky van de Ven pass run across his body, allowing Juninho to steal it off him.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSQarabag’s jet-heeled forward then raced away and Dragusin could have taken his chances given how early it was in the game.But instead the Romanian brought Juninho down and was rightly shown his marching orders – earning Spurs’ earliest Euro dismissal.Tottenham legend Gus Poyet explains why Ange Postecoglou can end trophy hoodoo and win Carabao Cup despite Coventry horror showYet Spurs had the lead on 12 minutes after their electric press won the ball back, allowing Solanke to slip in Johnson.The Welshman’s finish was as convincing as the two others he produced against Coventry and Brentford in the last eight days.Qarabag’s man advantage started to tell as the half wore on and Spurs had a fortunate escape when Juninho somehow fired a sitter wide from eight yards.Half-time came at the right time and eight minutes after it, Sarr volleyed home a second after Qarabag failed to clear an inswinging corner from interval sub Dejan Kulusevski. The visitors had a golden chance to get back into the game when Yves Bissouma was adjudged to have felled Elvin Jafarguliyev in the box, but Bayramov ballooned the spot-kick.Qarabag squandered a number of other good chances, with Juninho hitting the post and Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario making a number of top stops.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd they paid for it as Solanke was right on time in this delayed encounter to turn home a rebound after Son Heung-min’s shot was spilled.One concern for Spurs was captain Son Heung-min coming off with some discomfort after unleashing the shot that was parried into Solanke’s path for the third goal.Solanke proved he had not bit off more than he could chewCredit: GettyBut there was one late concern as Heung-Min Son left the pitch in some discomfortCredit: Rex More

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      Furious Jordan Henderson pulled apart from Ajax team-mate as ex-England star loses it during Europa League clash

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      A FURIOUS Jordan Henderson had to be pulled apart from his own team-mate during a Europa League clash.The former Liverpool star was embroiled in a clash with fellow Ajax ace Bertrand Traoré.ScreenshotThe Dutch giants were in a comfortable position against Besiktas when the argument happened.Kian Fitz-Jim had opened the scoring before Mika Godts and Kenneth Taylor made it 3-0.But Henderson, 34, was still not thrilled as he went at team-mate Traore and was pulled away by other Ajax stars.It appears that the midfielder was not happy with the winger’s foul on Besiktas midfielder Gedson Fernandes.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLEven after he had walked away, Henderson could be seen yelling to himself in frustration.Ajax continued to impress after the incident as Godts fired in his second in the 73rd minute to make sure of the result.They won the game and earned a vital three points in the new format of the Europa League.The result leaves Ajax top of the table with a superior goal difference thanks to the 4-0 win.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHenderson joined Ajax in January after cutting his time in Saudi Arabia short.The Englishman left Liverpool for the Middle East as he joined Al-Ettifaq in the summer of 2023.Dream Team Transfer Recommendations for Gameweek 5However the midfielder did not stay long before returning to Europe in the following transfer window.Henderson was linked with a move away from Amsterdam in the summer.However, he stayed put and is currently captaining the club.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      West Ham are going backwards under Julen Lopetegui – Hammers are at risk of slipping into insignificance

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      ROUGHLY two minutes before the end of an easy night’s work, Liverpool reserve keeper Caoimhin Kelleher strolled behind his goal and took a sip from his bottle.A rough Cockney voice just a few yards away in the Anfield Road End called out: “Why are you thirsty? You ain’t done s**t.”Julen Lopetegui has had a rough start to life at West HamCredit: PAHe has won just two of his first seven gamesCredit: AFPThe Irishman laughed along. He could afford to, because his mix ’n match team on Wednesday night had become the latest to stuff West Ham.Having been taken apart by an average Chelsea team four days earlier, West Ham’s response was to crumple from a winning position.They shipped five goals and ended the game with ten men thanks to the indiscipline of Edson Alvarez.Since Julen Lopetegui took charge of the Hammers, they have won two of seven games. The Carabao Cup is over after two rounds and they sit 14th in the Premier League table.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLosing matches is not unusual for West Ham, particularly at Liverpool.But what is concerning to many more than the 6,000 who made a 400-mile round trip from East London, is the fear of a slow rot taking root in their team.It is barely a year since former manager David Moyes skipped along a touchline like a spring lamb gambolling through a meadow having clinched the Uefa Conference League trophy.It seems more than 478 days ago since that heady night in Prague when then captain Declan Rice lifted silverware with a traditionally flaky club on the cusp of building something big to reflect the vast stadium in which they play home matches.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSInstead, as Lopetegui plots his way out of the current malaise via Brentford tomorrow, there is a sense that West Ham are going backwards, slipping into insignificance.Fading and dying as the taunting Chelsea fans sang with great joy time and time again to an empty London Stadium last weekend.Who is Julen Lopetegui?From being within touching  distance of making serious inroads into the top six of the Premier League, it will soon fall apart unless Lopetegui can turn it around.And all just as the board of directors approved the removal of virtually all concession-priced tickets for kids and OAPs. As marketing strategies go, it ain’t great.Spaniard Lopetegui was brought in to move on from the Moyes era, which, in many people’s eyes, had become stale and past its sell-by date.There were, of course, some spectacularly awful results in the Scot’s final campaign last season. Ironically, December’s 5-1 pummeling in the Carabao Cup at Liverpool.The difference being that last year’s humiliation was sandwiched between a 3-0 win over Wolves and a 2-0 victory over Manchester United.West Ham were also competing in the Europa League. B-list domestic cups like the Carabao were expendable back then. They won their group in Europe last winter.West Ham have worst stadium in Premier LeagueBy Andy DillonAll that has been achieved under David Moyes has made West Ham forget that they have by far the worst home ground in the entire Prem.A stadium totally unfit for staging regular football matches.One that can work on big European nights when the fans have electrified their voices in the nearby Carpenters Arms before kick-off.But one which drains your soul during routine home games against the likes of Burnley or Everton.A home ground where giant trampolines separate fans from the action.With temporary seating and scaffolding trying to bring the players and crowd closer.When West Ham are playing badly but winning, issues with the rented stadium are pushed aside.If they are playing badly and losing, the whole festering sore surfaces and the frustration will be aimed once more at chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.It wasn’t long ago that fans were invading the pitch, that 8,000 protested against the owners, that Sullivan was hit in the eye by a coin thrown from the crowd. Moyes has been an effective human shield with his consistent, if not entirely pretty, brand of success.This is what incoming boss Lopetegui has to contend with.Read Andy Dillon’s full column here.Lopetegui is there to herald a more open, dynamic and adventurous approach to football in comparison to pragmatic Moyes. It’s certainly been that — for the opposition at least. Picked off by Chelsea. Pulled apart by Manchester City. Lucky at Fulham with an equaliser six minutes into stoppage time. A heavily rotated Liverpool team scoring at will by the end on Wednesday.The lifelessness of the performance at home in a London derby against a vulnerable Chelsea side the week before was especially worrying.It harked back to the insipid, weak, worst days under Manuel Pellegrini when the top teams lapped up the wide open spaces of the former Olympic Stadium and regularly rolled in fours and fives for fun.West Ham have a nasty habit of almost getting there and touching the sun before falling away. After their fabled third-place finish in the old Division One in 1986, they finished 15th, 16th and were then relegated.Having won the FA Cup in 1975 they slowly but surely sank out of sight, dropping into Division Two in 1978.However, in those times, it wasn’t financial Armageddon to drop out of the top flight as it is now.Having spent £30million more than Arsenal, £87.5m more than Liverpool and £106m more than Manchester City on players this summer, money needs to be made.West Ham will have to go cap in hand to those OAPs and kids stumping up full price for a ticket now if they ever did go down.Lopetegui retains the full support of chairman David Sullivan for now and rightly so in these unsettling but early days.He even muttered an apology of sorts for his tactical blunder against Chelsea, which is something.But Arsene Wenger once proclaimed that every football team mirrors the personality of its manager. It’s about time Lopetegui showed some.King’s respectTyson Fury had some less than kind words for Anthony Joshua after losing a significant betCredit: PATYSON FURY claims boxing has not shown enough respect for Daniel Dubois, who retained his IBF world heavyweight title at Anthony Joshua’s painful expense.The Gypsy King rapped: “He was world champion and everyone treated him like a bum.”Yet Fury was soon complaining the result means he won’t cash in on a fight with Joshua, ranting: “That’s cost me £150million, the silly c***.”How’s that for respect?Keir just can’t winSir Keir Starmer can’t catch a break from cynics despite his genuine love for footballCredit: RexKEIR STARMER’S choice of team is not to ­everyone’s taste.But when the Gooner PM is pictured in the posh seats watching football week in, week out, shouldn’t it be that bit more reassuring that this country has a leader genuinely into the game?Starmer’s response to the cynical smears about attending games in the VIP section is spot on. Were he to sit in the stands at Arsenal, taking up four seats to accommodate his security, he would be accused of forcing out ordinary fans.When he is invited into an executive box he gets caned for living the hi-life. Like Everton, he can’t win.If there is to be a football regulator, I would rather have a committed supporter in on it, instead of someone who refers to our national game as “footie” and thinks a free-kick is something you give the working classes up the backside.Glass half emptyHalf and half scarves seem to be everywhere nowCredit: RexFOOTBALL is now a game of two halves — of your scarf that is. They are bloody everywhere.It was bad enough seeing dozens of the darned things at West Ham v Chelsea — once a feisty London derby, where the dislike between two sets of fans made the air crackle with electricity.But word is they were even on sale for Brentford’s Carabao Cup tie with League One Leyton Orient last week. One for the purists I think.Chelsea United?Only Enzo Maresca knows if Chelsea’s squad have turned a cornerCredit: AlamyINTERESTING to see a gaggle of hooded youths infiltrate Chelsea’s dugout on Tuesday night.But as I was about to hand over my phone and wallet to the fearsome-looking gang, I realised the group was made up of Blues stars that had not been named in the squad.They included Jadon Sancho and Robert Sanchez and at full-time they all shuffled out to backslap their team-mates for a 5-0 win over Barrow.A very public exercise in camaraderie to make it look like the players are as one? READ MORE SUN STORIESOr a genuine act to nurture togetherness in an improving squad that has had its fair share of issues lately?Only boss Enzo Maresca can really tell us.  More

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      Watch as Tottenham star Radu Dragusin sent off for moment of madness just SEVEN MINUTES into Europa League tie

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      RADU DRAGUSIN was sent off after just SEVEN minutes in Tottenham’s Europa League opener against Qarabag.The Romanian was brought into central defence to play alongside Micky van de Ven at the heart of defence.Radu Dragusin was sent off after just seven minutes against QarabagCredit: RexDragusin was caught sleeping on the ball by Juninho before he took down the Qarabag attackerIt left referee Willy Delajod with no choice but to send him off for a last-man foulIt made Dragusin the first ever player for Spurs to be sent off on their Europa League debutHowever, just seven minutes into Spurs’ Europa League, Dragusin was sent for an early shower.It came as he was caught sleeping on the ball by live-wire forward Juninho.After poking the ball away from Dragusin, Juninho managed to get his body across Dragusin before tumbling to the floor after a trip and the pulling of his shirt.The foul left French official Willy Delajod with no choice but to send him off for a last-man foul.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt made Dragusin the first player ever to be sent off on their Europa League debut for Tottenham.Youngster Lucas Bergvall was sacrificed in favour of Destiny Udogie by manager Ange Postecoglou as part of a tactical switch in putting Ben Davies to centre-back to ensure Spurs kept a steady defence.But a moment later, the North London side showed their fangs by pouncing on some sloppy play by Qarabag.Dominic Solanke stole the ball high up the pitch before slipping in Brennan Johnson to his right, who then side-footed a shot into the far left bottom corner to make it 1-0 to the home side.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt represented Johnson’s third goal in as many games. The match had been delayed by 35 minutes after Qarabag were caught in traffic on their way to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Ange Postecoglou appears to promise Tottenham fans a trophy THIS SEASON in feisty interview after Arsenal loss, X Sky Sports PLBut it made no difference to Tottenham, who played out a 3-0 win with Pape Matar Sarr and Dominic Solanke getting on the scoresheet.New Europa League format explainedTHE Europa League has been given a revamp this season, with a whole new group-stage format.All 36 teams are in one big league.Each team will play eight matches in the opening phase – against seeded opposition, in a system designed to ensure that teams play opponents of similar difficulty.At the end of the league phase, the top eight teams in the “final” table will automatically go through to the last 16, where they will be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.The bottom 12 teams are eliminated from Europe entirely.Despite there being just eight matches in the opening phase, European matches will be spread over 10 midweek slots.The knockout phase of the tournament remains the same as previous years. More

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      Inside Man Utd’s ‘Project 150’ as new chief maps out Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans in huge meeting with Old Trafford staff

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      MANCHESTER UNITED staff have been informed about the club’s plans and Sir Jim Ratfcliffe’s ambitions by chief executive Omar Berrada, according to reports. Berrada, who officially joined the club from Manchester City in June, is said to have addressed employees during a meeting at Old Trafford last week.Omar Berrada has revealed ‘Project 150’ at UnitedCredit: GettyIt outlined ambitious plans from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the new sporting hierarchyCredit: AlamyThe plans outlines how the club want to win the Premier League again by the cliub’s 150th birthdayCredit: AlamyThat hope was also extended to the women’s teamCredit: GettyAccording to The Athletic, the meeting outlined the ambitious plans set out by new minority owner Ratcliffe and the new-look football hierarchy, including sporting director Dan Ashworth.Dubbed as “Project 150”, the goals of the plan align with the 150th anniversary date of the club’s founding as Newton Heath in 1878, which then became known as Man Utd in 1902.Berrada, reportedly speaking in an aspirational and bullish tone, outlined a plan for the Red Devils to win the Premier League by 2028.That goal was also extended to the women’s team, though he admitted that on both counts it would take a lot of hard work.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe plan was received by staff following the mass cuts made by new chiefs which saw employee numbers reduced by a quarter.Some staff were said to be energised by the new desire to prioritise sporting achievement over commercial.Others are understood to have been left feeling despondent and upset in the wake of the recent mass redundancies which saw many members of staff at the club for years depart.Speaking after his 27.7 per cent investment into United was announced, Ratcliffe said: “It’s not a 10-year plan. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”The fans would run out of patience if it was a 10-year plan. But it’s certainly a three-year plan to get there,” he said.”To think that we’re going to be playing football as good as Manchester City played against Real Madrid last season by next year is not sensible. Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s amazing lifestyle”And if we give people false expectations, then they will get disappointed. So the key thing is our trajectory, so that people can see that we’re making progress.“I think it’s the club’s 150-year anniversary in 2028… if our trajectory is leading to a very good place in that sort of timeframe then we’d be very happy with that. “Because it’s not easy to turn Manchester United into the world’s best football team.“The ultimate target for Manchester United — and it’s always going to be thus, really — is that we should be challenging for the Premier League and challenging for the Champions League. “It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world.”Work has already begun on a new 100,000-capacity stadium for the men’s team to be built adjacent to the current Old Trafford site, with further redevlopment for the surrounding area also forthcoming.Erik ten Hag was kept on as the club’s coach despite less-than ideal results last season with an eighth placed league finish only papered over by an FA Cup triumph.READ MORE SUN STORIESBerrada and Ashworth backed that decision before the 3-0 demolition by Liverpool, thought the team have struggled on the pitch in the early part of the season.Tottenham, Porto and Aston Villa represent a tough run of upcoming games before the next international break.What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. More

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      TNT Sports pundits forced to abandon car in desperate bid to reach Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after travel chaos

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      TNT SPORTS pundits revealed they abandoned their car and legged it down the road to make Tottenham’s delayed Europa League tie.Peter Crouch gave viewers a “run” down of how he and fellow ex-Spurs star Glenn Hoddle beat the travel chaos that faced opponents Qarabag and fans.The Qarabag players looked remarkably relaxed when they finally arrivedThe kick-off was put back from 8pm to to 8.35pm due to severe rail AND road problems.And the Azerbaijan side’s squad only arrived at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium close to the original planned start time.As TNT Sports showed the visiting players walking around the pitch, Crouchie told of his own drama in getting there.Looking at the surprisingly-relaxed Qarabag squad, the former England striker said: “Hopefully they ran down the High Road like me and Glenn!”READ MORE TOP STORIESTNT’s presenter chipped in: “You had to abandon the car, didn’t you?”A laughing Crouch replied: “Ah, we did. We gave up with the car.”Former Three Lions’ midfielder Hoddle joked: “Peter ran and I limped.”An incredible whammy caused the travel nightmare.Most read in Europa LeagueThe visitors even had a joke despite their travel problemsFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSLondon Overground train services from Cheshunt and Enfield Town to White Hart Lane were suspended – a huge headache in itself.But then add in the closure in both directions of the A10 – a major route in to the area – and it’s no wonder supporters were left in a frenzy. SunSport’s Jordan Davies reacts to Europa League draw as Man Utd face MourinhoTottenham’ s clash with Qarabag was put back 35 minutesCredit: AlamyIt comes as Spurs prepare to launch their campaign in the newly-expanded, 36-team competition.Each team initially plays eight different sides to see who qualifies for the latter stages.Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou reckons the format will at least increase excitement.He said: “In the group stage, after about the second or third game, you kind of knew who were going through so there were maybe some dead-rubbers, but all games will be meaningful because all teams will have something to play for.”It’s not that standard home and away, you will play eight different teams, eight different styles of football, so it’s an interesting challenge.”I guess at the end we’ll see if it’s had the effect everyone wanted it to have by being more exciting all the way through rather than the knock-out phase, but the most important thing is we’re in it and because we’re in it, we’ve got a chance.”READ MORE SUN STORIESQarabag’s players looked remarkably relaxed – some smiling – as they strolled to the dressing rooms.But with the traffic difficulties known well before kick-off, they had probably resigned themselves to a late start from well before 8pm. More