Sat 05 December 2020, 19:10
Tottenham HotspurJose Mourinho’s regular preview as we look forward to the big one - the north London derby on Sunday.
We kick-off at 4.30pm - remember to join Michael Dawson, Helen Richardson-Walsh and host Ben Haines on N17 Live from 3.30pm...
1 - Welcome home!
We welcome fans back to the stadium for the first time since March...
Jose: “Two thousand fans to represent the universe of our fans, it’s a local derby, we’re in the great situation that we are in, so it’s a great occasion, but what I would like would be for these 2,000 to be able to express their happiness that, for sure, they are having at this moment, to explode with joy after the frustration of months and months and months without football, and to play this game with us.”
2 - The derby
What is Jose expecting from Sunday’s derby? We’re top, Arsenal not in the best form in the league - or does form really just go out of the window?
Jose: “You gave the answer in the question. The form doesn’t matter, the position doesn’t matter and, for me, in these matches there is no form and there is no position. On top of that, Arsenal is a good team. For sure, they are going back to what gave them good results, what gave them a title (FA Cup) last season when they beat Manchester City in the semi-finals and Chelsea in the final. They will go back to these basics that gave them good results. So, a very difficult match for us, for sure.”
3 - Good or bad...
Jose was asked in his press conference if now was a good or bad time to play Arsenal...
Jose: “It's always a good moment to play Arsenal, and always a bad moment. It's always a good moment because it motivates. In this moment, because of the rivalry between the two clubs, it becomes even more beautiful to play, and it's always a bad moment because they're a good team and in these matches the table doesn't say anything, the previous results don't say anything too. So, it’s good, it’s bad, it is what it is.”
We all know that a derby is nothing to do with form, momentum, injuries, suspensions. It's nothing to do with that. It's just Tottenham-Arsenal
4 - Complacency
Jose was also asked if he would have to warn the players of any complacency...
Jose: "I think they know it. I think everybody knows what Arsenal did recently, the way they beat Chelsea and City to win the FA Cup. The way they played in Liverpool in spite of defeat, the way they beat United at Old Trafford, the way they normally play against the top teams. The number of players they use in the defensive process. The way they go in fast counter-attacks and fast transitions. I don't think I need to, but probably I will, but I don't think we need that.”
5 - It’s just…
Summing up, Jose added...
Jose: “We all know that a derby is nothing to do with form, momentum, injuries, suspensions. It's nothing to do with that. It's just Tottenham-Arsenal.”
