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    Tottenham suffer injury blow with Richarlison set to miss significant time after hurting himself assisting Solanke goal

    TOTTENHAM star Richarlison is set to be sidelined for a “significant amount of time” after suffering a hamstring injury against Aston Villa.The versatile forward appears to have been hurt after producing the assist for Spurs star Dominic Solanke’s second goal on 79 minutes during Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Tottenham star Richarlison is set to be sidelined for a ‘significant amount of time’Credit: RexTottenham star Richarlison got injured again after providing an assistRicharlison suffered a ‘significant’ injury, stated Tottenham boss Ange PostecoglouCredit: RexTottenham boss Postecoglou doesn’t know when Richarlison will returnCredit: RexThe Brazil international passed the ball to Solanke from the left flank and the North Londoners’ striker smashed it behind Emiliano Martinez’s net to make it 3-1 and seal three important points.But it was evident that Richarlison was in pain after that assist as he hobbled off just three minutes later when he was replaced by James Maddison.The 27-year-old looked distraught as he was embraced by both Maddison and Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.Postecoglou confirmed that the Brazilian has sustained a “significant hamstring injury” shortly after returning from another recent issue.Read More on FootballAnd the Aussie head coach admitted the ex-Everton star will be back in the sidelines for the foreseeable future without issuing a timeline.Postecoglou said: “He was very disappointed. I think I said in the lead up, we tried to take a different approach, he worked awfully hard on his rehab but also his general fitness.“He’d really trimmed down in terms of his conditioning. He was doing everything right, we eased him back into playing, we didn’t want to overload him and unfortunately he broke down again.“He’s disappointed but ultimately, we’ve just got to keep getting him back in there and work with him to get him back up because he’s an important player. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”You saw last week the impact he had coming off the bench and setting up the goal for him.“Disappointing for him, disappointing for us because we haven’t really had him at our disposal this year. Richarlison breaks down in tears as he reveals he wanted to quit football and would always Google ‘rubbish about death'”But we’ll just keep working with Richy and try to get him back.”I’m reticent to put [a time on] it but he’ll be out for a significant amount of time. It’s a significant hamstring injury.”Richarlison spoke of his frustration at sustaining yet another injury in a heartfelt post on social media.The ex-Watford star posted on Instagram: “It’s a difficult moment, again. “I was very happy working hard and playing, but now I am injured again.“It’s difficult to say what I’m feeling in this moment, just pray for me… I hope God will protect me”. More

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    Tottenham snubbed Ollie Watkins transfer as Jose Mourinho refused to pay price tag… and signed flop striker instead

    JOSE MOURINHO snubbed the chance to sign Ollie Watkins at Tottenham, because he cost too much money.Watkins, 28, has become one of the Premier League’s top strikers at Aston Villa, with 48 goal contributions in all competitions since the start of last season.Tottenham turned down the chance to sign Ollie Watkins in 2020Credit: GettyJose Mourinho thought the £28m price tag was too high for a cover strikerCredit: GettyThe England ace has fired Unai Emery’s side into the Champions League, and has solidified his status as England’s No2 striker behind record goalscorer Harry Kane.However, it has been revealed that Watkins could have played the same role at club level.Former Tottenham manager, director and scout David Pleat has revealed how the North London side came close to landing Watkins in 2020.He explained how then-Spurs boss Mourinho asked him about Brentford ace Watkins, before deciding that the £28million price tag was too much and therefore allowing Villa to swoop in.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking on Sky Sports, Pleat, 79, said: “I spoke to Jose on a couple of occasions. I remember once he asked me about Ollie Watkins, I remember that quite clearly.”And at the time the price Brentford was £28m, which Dean Smith took the opportunity at Villa – a lovely man, Dean Smith.”We decided that that was too much money. Or Jose decided it was too much money to pay for a cover forward for Harry Kane.”Since that summer, Watkins has scored 75 goals in all competitions for Villa, adding 29 assists to take his goal contribution tally to 109.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSpurs signed a number of strikers as cover options for Kane, but struggled to find the right star.Current Fulham ace Carlos Vinicius was signed on loan from Benfica that summer instead, with the Brazilian scoring ten goals in all competitions, including one in the Premier League at a cost of a £2.7m loan fee.Spurs instead brought Carlos Vinícius in on loanCredit: GettyTransfer fees could be scrapped in biggest change to football in 30 years after landmark court case brought against Fifa In all, the 29-year-old has 41 goals and assists since 2020 from stints at PSV, Fulham and Galatasaray.Pleat added: “And in the end, we went for Vinicius, a player who didn’t do too well. We has one of two other players who came as cover for Kane.”They weren’t too successful, but they were cover players. “And we never really had the succession ready to take over from Kane when the inevitability came that he would leave the club.”Since then Richarlison was a big-money signing from Everton, but only managed three goals and was plagued by injury in the final season before Kane left for Bayern Munich in 2023.Other strikers the club have tried since Kane broke into the team in 2014 in an effort to cover him have also not worked out great.Clinton N’Jie, Vincent Janssen and Fernando Llorente all tried and failed to be suitable cover options for Kane.N’Jie, now 31, arrived at the club in 2015 for £8.3m but never scored for the club in 14 appearances. Arriving in 2016 for £17m, Janssen, now 30, scored just six goals in 42 games for Spurs before leaving in 2019.Ex-Swansea star Fernando Llorente was another option who arrived with the hopes of being effective cover for Kane in 2017.He netted 13 goals in 66 games over two years at the club after arriving for £12m.This means that over the nine seasons that Kane reigned supreme at the club, they spent £100m on back-up strikers for a return of just 32 goals in all competitions.Last summer Dominic Solanke was brought in as the club’s new talisman for an initial £55m that could see £10m added.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe ex-Bournemouth ace, 27, has three goals in 12 games under Ange Postecoglou.They face Aston Villa on Sunday for their next game.Tottenham’s top 10 biggest signings: Hit or miss?1) Tanguy Ndombele – £52.7mNdombele joined from Lyon in 2019 with huge expectations after shattering Tottenham’s transfer record.But he would go on to play just 91 times for the club, scoring 10 goals and is now set to leave one year before the end of his contract.2) Richarlison – £49.3mRicharlison almost broke the £50m mark when he arrived from Everton in 2022 as Harry Kane’s back-up.And while his tally of 12 goals this season was a significant increase on the three from his opening Spurs campaign, he is being linked with a departure this summer.3) Brennan Johnson – £46.8mJohnson was signed by Ange Postecoglou last summer and has impressed in patches during his first season in North London.He scored five goals and 10 assists in 38 games and will look to build on that in the 2024/25 campaign.4) Cristian Romero – £44.2mRomero initially joined on loan from Atalanta in 2021, before his impressive displays saw him secure a permanent deal the following year.He is two games shy of 100 for Spurs and, while he can be reckless with his tackling at times, is beginning to form a promising partnership with Micky van de Ven.5) James Maddison – £39.4mMaddison was handed Kane’s No10 shirt after arriving at Spurs and hit the ground running with three goals and five assists in his opening 11 matches.But after getting injured against Chelsea in October, he failed to return with the same sharpness – managing just five goal contributions in 15 league matches as he missed out on England’s final 26-man squad for the Euros.6) Davinson Sanchez – £35.7mSanchez joined Spurs from Ajax in 2017 and played more than 200 games across a six-year spell.But he was always considered a somewhat erratic defender who did not play more than 20 games in a Premier League season from 2020 onwards.7) Pedro Porro – £34mPorro was another signing who originally arrived on loan in January 2023, before he signed permanently last summer.He has 54 appearances for Spurs under his belt, scoring seven goals and impressing under Postecoglou this season.8) Micky van de Ven – £34mRapid Dutch centre-back Van de Ven was named Spurs Player of the Season in his first campaign at the club.His pace, athleticism, and technical ability on the ball have made him arguably Postecoglou’s best signing to date.9) Moussa Sissoko – £29.8mSissoko came to North London for a substantial fee after being relegated with Newcastle and went on to enjoy five years at Tottenham, playing more than 200 games.Unfortunately for the French midfielder, he is best-known for giving away a controversial penalty for handball in the first minute of Spurs’ 2-0 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019.10) Giovani Lo Celso – £27.2mLo Celso joined on loan from Real Betis in 2019 – a deal that was made permanent the following season.He has 10 goals and eight assists in 108 games, with some Spurs fans still unsure about the Argentine. 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    ‘Dr Tottenham’ strikes again in Crystal Palace clash as fans say ‘never fails to cure those in need’

    CRYSTAL PALACE’s winless run came to an end thanks to a dose of “Dr Tottenham”.The Eagles got their first three points of the season with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first-half opener separating the sides. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou looks on in frustrationCredit: RexAnd fans say they were blessed with the visit from Dr Tottenham to cure their lack of victories. One said: “Dr. Tottenham. Never fails to cure those in need.”Another added: “Imagine not thinking Dr Tottenham is a thing.”One swiped: “Death, taxes, and the Dr Tottenham cure.”READ MORE IN football Another said: “Never underestimate Dr. Tottenham.”Spurs fell to their fourth defeat in nine Premier League matches as manager Ange Postecoglou admitted fan frustration will be rife. He said: “It was one of those games with a lot of stoppages and battles and they ended up winning a lot of them and coming out on top. “There was a lot of disruption and it was hard to get any fluency. They did better than us.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”It turned into a game they were thriving on and we should have dealt with it better.”It was a poor goal to concede, it had nothing to do with playing out from the back. That can happen.Wayne Rooney reveals nine-word message to Plymouth stars that inspired stunning comeback from being 3-0 down”I’d be very surprised if they were happy right now. Why would I be happy? If I’m unhappy then they’ll be unhappy. “If you’re suggesting that our fans weren’t happy with today then that’s a fair assessment.” More

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    Tottenham player ratings: Lucas Bergvall looks a star in the making but Radu Dragusin endures another mixed display

    TOTTENHAM made it a hat-trick of Europa League wins thanks to Richarlison’s penalty against ten-man AZ Alkmaar. The Brazilian converted from the spot on 53 minutes in an opening goal that eventually separated the sides. Richarlison won the game for TottenhamCredit: PAAnd the visitor’s night got even worse with five minutes to go when David Moller Wolfe was shown a second yellow. Here is how Dan King rated Spurs’ players from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Fraser Forster – 7Brilliant save and good rush from line in first half to stop Spurs falling behind. A spectator for most of the second half but made smart stop in last 20 minutes.Archie Gray – 5Unable to team up with fellow teenager Moore in first half to match threat from Tottenham’s other flank and struggled with pace of Ernest Poku.READ MORE IN football Radu Dragusin – 5Another mixed display. Good on the ball one moment, not so much the next. Sometimes looked strong, but then vulnerable, especially when Alkmaar ran at him.Radu Dragusin had another mixed displayCredit: GettyBen Davies – 7Tottenham’s Mr Dependable was their most convincing defender, thanks mainly to good positioning and calmness. Although even he showed signs of tension late on.Destiny Udogie – 6Did a bit of everything in the opening 45 minutes, although as usual his work in opposition half tended to be better. Less adventurous in the second half.Rodrigo Bentancur – 6After a commanding start, was unable to stop Alkmaar from gaining a first-half foothold. Apart from occasional lapses, maintained his authority better after the break.Most read in FootballMikey Moore enjoyed success on the leftCredit: AlamyMikey Moore – 7Missed golden early chance and looked uncomfortable on right. Immediate, massive improvement when switched to left, running at defence and creating chances..Lucas Bergvall – 8Impressive display with everything but a goal. Full of running, composed, and found killer passes that should have become assists. But had to go off injured.James Maddison – 7Skipper for the night had some lovely moments without finding a decisive contribution – until he let Richarlison have the penalty.Timo Werner was hooked at half timeCredit: RexTimo Werner – 5Superb cross for Moore chance but woeful finish when played through by Bergvall told you everything about his confidence levels. Hooked at half time. Richarlison – 6Busy and committed in first half, but ball wasn’t sticking much. Really wanted to take the penalty and converting it should be a morale boost. Lasted just over an hour.SUBSBrennan Johnson (for Werner, half time) – 5Failed to make most of a Bergvall pass. Quieter than usual.Dominic Solanke (for Richarlison, 65) – 6Worked hard without having a sight of goal. Dejan Kulusevski (for Bergvall, 73) – 6Gave the Spurs midfield the legs it needed to see out game.Pape Sarr (for Maddison, 73)  – 6Also brought an injection of energy to dampen Alkmaar hopes of a comeback.READ MORE SUN STORIESWilson Odobert (for Moore, 87) – 6Had two sights of goal but steered second wide from close range.Watch Jose Mourinho’s hilarious reaction after Man Utd keeper Andre Onana’s ‘double worldy’ save More

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    Lord Alan Sugar ‘fires’ Tottenham star during West Ham clash after booting ball out of play with shocking touch

    TOTTENHAM ace Timo Werner drew the anger of Lord Alan Sugar with a massive gaffe during the Premier League clash with West Ham.Lord Sugar, 77, watched his beloved Spurs beat their London rivals 4-1 in the Premier League from the VIP section at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Lord Alan Sugar was left shaking his head after a poor touch by Tottenham ace Timo WernerAlly McCoist joked Tottenham’s former chief Lord Sugar would ‘fire’ WernerCredit: RexHowever, the North Londoners’ former chairman and part-owner wasn’t all smiles as he was left bemused by a comedic blunder by Werner, 28, in the second half.The forward kicked the ball out of play after a shocking touch and the camera panned to an unimpressed Lord Sugar who was shaking his head. Football pundit Ally McCoist saw The Apprentice boss’ reaction and joked he may have to fire the Germany international afterwards – like he did to underachieving participants of his reality show.Fans were also left laughing their socks off as they stormed social media to join in on all the fun.Read More on FootballOne fan tweeted: “Even Lord Sugar shaking his head at Werner.”Another commented: “Alan Sugar even laughed at him.”A third tagged Lord Sugar on the following tweet: “Your reaction to Timo Werner errors sums it all up.”This fan said: “Werner miscontrols it and Sugar is laughing.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd that one quipped: “Alan Sugar shakes his head in the VIP area as Werner gives up the ball.”However, Lord Sugar probably left the Tottenham ground content after a big win over West Ham, despite the Hammers picking up the lead after just 18 minutes through Mohammed Kudus.Tom Barclay on how Werner could be a good signing for SpursHowever, Ange Postecoglou’s side fought back just shortly after as they equalised with Dejan Kulusevski.The hosts turned the game on its head in the second half with Yves Bissouma on 52 minutes before adding some distance with Alphonse Areola’s own-goal just three minutes later.And Son Heung-min sealed the three points on the hour to add more misery to Julen Lopetegui’s turbulent start to life in charge of West Ham.To make matters worse, the struggling boss will be without Mohammed Kudus for three matches after his part in a wild brawl late in the game. More

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    Son Heung-min set to take huge Tottenham record off former England star who says ‘I’m happy it’s going to be him’

    DARREN ANDERTON can think of nobody who is more fitting to steal his assist record for Spurs than selfless skipper Son Heung-min.Former England midfielder Anderton tops Tottenham’s charts in the Premier League with a whopping 68.Son Hueng-min could set a new assist record against West HamCredit: GettyDarren Anderton is Tottenham’s record holder with 68Credit: GettyBut South Korean icon Son is creeping up behind on 64 and will surely surpass him at some point this term.Son will target getting even closer to Anderton’s record at home to West Ham.And Anderton, 52, told  SunSport in association with freebets.com: “If anyone is going to break that record, I’m very happy it’s going to be Son because he’s a team player.“I always considered myself to be that, and always put the team first.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“I’d get as much joy at  creating opportunities and  setting up goals as I did from scoring myself.”Assists — providing the final ball to the player who scores the goal — were not as revered in Anderton’s 1990s heyday.But the growing influence of stats-obsessed American sports and the rise of fantasy football have seen the goal-maker take almost as much credit as the goal-taker.Put it this way: Anderton would be hailed far more for his playmaking ability if he were playing today rather than 30 years ago.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMany of Anderton’s assists saw him tee up old mucker Teddy Sheringham.In fact, their epic 27-goal combinations make the pair the fifth-most prolific duo in Premier League history.Top ten Premier League managers’ WagsSon is top of that particular list owing to his fruitful partnership with Harry Kane.They hit a staggering 47-goal combinations before Kane was sold to Bayern Munich two summers ago.California-based Anderton added: “We live in America now and all the sports over here are about the assists and the stats and everything.“So I’ve always been aware of it. My American friends always used to say that it’s scandalous no one ever speaks about assists!“Now they do, so that’s good, and I think they should. It’s a huge part of the game and it’s what happens in the final third that wins games.“Your team can have all the possession in the world but it’s that final ball which is so, so important.“I’m very proud of the record. It’s something that I was always aware of.“When I first got in at Spurs I struggled, but then things really took off for me and my relationship with Teddy in terms of assists and scoring goals.“When Harry and Sonny had their assist-goal relationship, I saw myself and Teddy’s names up in the top five  Premier League goal-assist partnerships.“Someone sent me something the other day about my record on social media when Son had two assists and I was like, ‘Oh, OK’.“We were having dinner and I showed my daughter and  wife and we were having a bit of a giggle about it.”Son has missed Spurs’  last three games due to a hamstring issue picked up  in the 3-0 home win over Qarabag in the Europa League group stages last month.However, the South Korean expects to return to action today in the early kick-off.The attacker, 32, is one of Spurs’ greatest modern-day players and is 21st in the all-time list of Premier League goalscorers on 122.But he has only scored in one match this season — the 4-0 win over Everton on August 24 — and has not netted in his last five club appearances.Anderton added: “He hasn’t played as well as he would like and against Manchester United, he wasn’t missed — that performance was incredible.“But that’s all part of getting to that sort of age and things start to change. I left Spurs at 32, I thought I had a few more years in me, but that’s all part of the game that we all play.“But everyone in football knows how good he is.“He’s the perfect football player. He works his socks off, he creates opportunities, he scores goals.“He has always produced  and has been an unbelievable player for the club.”But if Spurs are to beat their London neighbours today, Anderton believes the performance of £40million midfielder James Maddison will be key.The playmaker has struggled for large parts of this year as he battles back to peak fitness after damaging ankle ligaments in November 2023.But he has been in red-hot form in recent weeks, yet was overlooked again by England this month.Anderton felt the 27-year-old deserved a recall and believes the North Londoners are at their best when Maddison is on top of his game.Euro 96 star Anderton, who won 30 caps for his country, added: “When he plays well, we play well.“He has that X Factor that when teams sit deep because we do dominate, you need that bit of magic to create things.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Christian Eriksen used to do it and James Maddison is in that mould.“After he had that injury last season, our form was never the same. He’s that important to the team.”James Maddison was left out of the last England teamCredit: AlamyWho are these famous footballers? More

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    Eddie Howe tipped to sensationally replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham if ex-Newcastle chief invests in Spurs

    EDDIE HOWE will shoot to the top of Tottenham’s managerial hit-list if Amanda Staveley and her money men invest in the North Londoners.The Newcastle gaffer is also strongly fancied within the FA as they look to find a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate.Eddie Howe is high in-demand for his work at NewcastleCredit: AFPAnge Postecoglou has been at Tottenham for little over a yearCredit: RexBut Wembley chiefs are unwilling to pay compensation and Howe’s long-term contract — believed to run to 2027 — would involve a huge compensation bill.Former Toon co-owner Staveley and her mega-rich backers are keen to take a stake in Spurs and she is a massive fan of former Bournemouth boss Howe.He would top her wish list if things do not improve for Ange Postecoglou after a stuttering start to life in N17.The projected buy-in by Staveley and Co is taking some time to happen and that project still appears weeks from completion.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Howe could be a wanted man by both club and country.England technical director John McDermott is keen on Howe for the national post because of his playing style and experience.Howe, 46, is thought to consider  himself too young for that job, especially as he still enjoys club football so much.He would also cost a fortune to appoint with salary demands and Toon compensation to work against him in the FA’s equation.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut with the FA yet to commit to Lee Carsley on a permanent basis that door will remain open for him.Newcastle are seventh in the early Premier League table.Former Chelsea manager Potter weighs in on Postecoglou’s ‘shell-shocked’ interview after Brighton’s win over Spurs Last time out they drew 0-0 with Everton at Goodison Park.Tottenham, meanwhile, are ninth under Ange Postecoglou.They were beaten 3-2 by Brighton prior to the international break, having gone into the match on the South Coast on a five-game winning streak.Amanda Staveley has shown an interest in buying into TottenhamCredit: Rex More

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    Dave Kidd: There’s no such thing as football clubs having their own ‘DNA’ – unless you’re talking about being ‘Spursy’

    SIXTEEN years have passed since Dimitar Berbatov left Spurs, so we should forgive him a memory lapse.But when the great Bulgarian soft-shoe shuffler turned up as a Sky pundit to watch his former club at Brighton, and claimed that tossing away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 “was not Spurs”, he could barely have been more wrong.Tottenham were beaten by Brighton on the weekendCredit: GettyManager Ange Postecoglou watched on as his team threw away a two-goal leadCredit: AlamyDanny Welbeck headed in the winner for the SeagullsCredit: GettyIn fairness to Berbatov, while the term ‘Spursy’ feels like the oldest of cliches, it only actually entered the footballing lexicon ten years ago.Although that’s only because, by 2014, Spurs had already been ‘Spursy’ for several decades and so everybody instinctively knew exactly what it meant.It meant stuff like snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, style over substance, softness under stress, bottling it — and choking.But can ‘Spursiness’ really be an actual thing?READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBecause most football supporters are fatalistic, believing their own club is cursed by bad luck and prone to most of those characteristics which define being ‘Spursy’.To chuck in another old chestnut — can any football club really possess a ‘DNA’? Fundamental and distinctive qualities which are unchangeable?In the decade since ‘Spursiness’ was coined, the club have gone through five managers, changed their entire playing squad apart from Ben Davies, moved into a magnificent new stadium and won nothing.If we accept that Davies isn’t the problem, then we’re going to have to believe that several entirely different bunches of blokes have, by signing on the dotted line for Spurs, become individually and collectively flaky. Which is like believing in mermaids or unicorns.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd yet, the thing is, it is actually true, isn’t it?Giorgio Chiellini said it best, after Spurs blew a lead and were knocked out of the Champions League by his Juventus side back in 2018.Giorgio Chiellini has a dig at the history of Tottenham Giorgio Chiellini fired a jibe at Spurs back in 2018Credit: EPAAntonio Conte slammed the club during his tenureCredit: Reuters“It’s the history of the Tottenham,” said the legendary Italian defensive b*****d.“They always create many chances and score so much but, in the end, they miss always something to arrive at the end. We believe in history.”That’s Chiellini — who knows a thing or two about being definitely not, in any way, Spursy — telling us that Spursiness exists.And to such an extent that even foreign clubs know exactly what it means.Sunday’s capitulation was the tenth time Spurs have lost a Premier League match having led by two or more goals. No other club has achieved this ‘feat’ on more than seven occasions.So the idea of an inherent ‘Spursiness’ is only a cliche because it holds large elements of truth.Usually, great managers give a team an identity. But they don’t tend to give a club a ‘DNA’.Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United always found a way to win.Since he left, United have found many different ways in which to lose.Arsenal’s last two title-winning bosses, Arsene Wenger and George Graham, employed chalk-and-cheese playing styles.Just five years apart, Chelsea won titles under Jose Mourinho, with the meanest defence English club football has ever seen, and Carlo Ancelotti, winning three of their final four home matches 7-1, 7-0 and 8-0.So there’s no such thing as a football club’s ‘DNA’.Except, perhaps, at Tottenham, who employed Mourinho and Antonio Conte — cynical men after Chiellini’s stony heart — and still ended up pretty damned Spursy all the same.Ange Postecoglou has dismissed the ‘Spursy’ tag as ‘playground stuff’ because he is a big, gruff Aussie who doesn’t believe in pixies at the bottom of the garden.And because he is paid handsomely not to believe that Tottenham’s problems are genetic and incurable.But back in May — on the extraordinary night when Spurs lost 2-0 at home to Manchester City and most supporters went home happy because the result went a long way to denying Arsenal the title — Postecoglou suggested a fundamental weakness.“The foundations are really fragile,” he said. “The last 48 hours have shown me that. It’s inside the club, outside the club . . . everywhere.”Of course, the one permanent feature of any club is its fanbase. True supporters are in it for life.So, do Spurs supporters make Spurs ‘Spursy’?By lacking a big-club mentality, by being happier to see Arsenal denied the title than to see their own club qualify for the Champions League, as they would have done had they beaten City that nightThis is surely too simplistic.There are almost 60,000 match-going Spurs fans at every home game and hundreds of thousands more who are devoted to the club — some old, some young, some cynical, some dreamy, some who even wanted Spurs to beat City that night.Perhaps it’s just that Spurs are in a unique position among English football clubs.They are bracketed as one of the ‘Big Six’, suggesting they ought to win things, but do not enjoy the wealth of the other five, nor  Saudi-backed Newcastle.They have an enviable ancient history and a ‘To Dare Is To Do’ ethos which encapsulates the essence of the game, as part of the entertainment industry.As Conte never tired of mentioning, Spurs also boast a world-class stadium and a training ground without a playing squad to match.They now have a promising first-team forward, Mikey Moore, who was born on the first day of the 2007-08 season, the last campaign in which Tottenham actually won a trophy.Postecoglou has pretty much promised to end that barren run by stating that he ALWAYS wins a trophy in his second season at a football club.As if openly defying the idea of ‘Spursiness’ by saying such a thing out loud would banish any hint of Spursiness.After that, Spurs won five matches in a row and went 2-0 up away at Brighton.And then, as Chiellini would have it, ‘the history of the Tottenham’ repeated itself.As if it were as fundamental and unchangeable as DNA.SLOT MACHINEArne Slot was not impressed about Liverpool’s 12.30pm kick off on SaturdayCredit: AlamyHAVING promised not to do so, Arne Slot was reading from the Jurgen Klopp hymn sheet when he moaned about Saturday’s 12.30pm kick-off at Crystal Palace.Slot has enjoyed the smoothest imaginable start to life as Liverpool boss — none of the seven teams the Reds have played are in the top nine of the table.Next he must face Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle as six of his next seven Premier League fixtures, as well as European ties against Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid — the champions of Germany and Spain.After that little lot, we can properly judge whether the Dutchman has more in common with Klopp than merely the ability to whine about TV scheduling.A VIEW TO A VILLJhon Duran netted the winning goal against Bayern MunichCredit: GettyTHE atmosphere at Aston Villa’s Champions League win over Bayern Munich was one of the best I’ve ever experienced at a football ground, and the spectacular winner by Jhon Duran was unforgettable.Which made it all the more sad to hear a radio phone-in during which Villa supporters spoke of being priced out by tickets costing between £85 and £97.Last Wednesday night at Villa Park was a true ‘I was there’ occasion.But clearly that was only for those who could afford it.STRENGTH IN DEPTHMikel Arteta has plenty of options in his squad this seasonCredit: GettyMIKEL ARTETA freshened up his Arsenal side for Saturday’s clash with Southampton by bringing in three fringe players.Those bench-warming ‘stiffs’?READ MORE SUN STORIESRaheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, who have eight Premier League titles between them.And Jorginho, a European champion at club and international level.Whatever problems the Gunners may encounter during this season’s title bid, it won’t be a lack of strength in depth.Who are these famous footballers? 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