Tottenham Talk on Thursday 21st October
Tottenham Talk on Thursday 21st October
It is a welcome break to get away from the computer for a day.
Arnhem is a city situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands.
US Airborne troops were dropped in the Netherlands to secure bridges and towns along the line of the Allied advance.
Vitesse Arnhem against Spurs is therefore one of the most anticipated games of this UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) round.
Just one point separates third-placed Vitesse from first-placed Tottenham in Group G, so if Spurs are not careful, the Dutch side could leapfrog us with a shock win.
Spurs have recorded three straight wins, including a 5-1 thrashing of Mura on UECL matchday two.
Our last visit to the Netherlands saw Spurs score a 96th minute winner vs Ajax in the dramatic 2018/19 UCL semi-final.
Vitesse defender Maximilian Wittek has made a goal contribution in four of his last eight competitive appearances (1G, 3A), whilst striker Harry Kane scored the first-ever hat-trick in the UECL proper on matchday two, however he hasn't travelled this time.
There has been six red cards shown across Vitesse Arnhem's last six games.
Today is another Tottenham playing day, this time in the UEFA Conference League group stages against Vitesse Arnhem, a famous name from WWII.
It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and is located on both banks of the rivers Nederrijn and Sint-Jansbeek.
The Battle of Arnhem was fought between 17th and 26th September 1944.
US Airborne troops were dropped in the Netherlands to secure bridges and towns along the line of the Allied advance.
Farthest north, the British 1st Airborne Division landed at Arnhem to capture bridges across the Nederrijn (Lower Rhine), supported by men of the Glider Pilot Regiment and the 1st Polish Parachute Brigade.
The British XXX Corps were expected to reach the British airborne forces in two to three days.
The 1st Airborne Division landed some distance from its objectives and was hampered by unexpected resistance, especially from elements of the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions.
They were not told the Panzer Divisions were there even though Lieutenant-General Frederick Browning (First Allied Airborne Army second-in-command) knew from intelligence that they were there.
Only a small force was able to reach the Arnhem road bridge while the main body of the division was halted on the outskirts of the town.
XXX Corps was unable to advance north as quickly as planned and the British airborne troops were not relieved according to 2/3 day schedule.
After four days, the small British force at the bridge was overwhelmed and the rest of the division trapped in a small pocket north of the river.
The British 1st Airborne Division lost nearly three quarters of its strength and did not see combat again.
Arnhem was liberated in April 1945.
Well that's your history lesson and the Dutch side have a football kit in the colours of the British 1st Airborne Division.
Vitesse Arnhem against Spurs is therefore one of the most anticipated games of this UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) round.
It takes place at the GelreDome, home of Vitesse Arnhem, as they welcome the 2018/19 Champions League (UCL) finalists, Tottenham Hotspur.
The Dutch outfit have a strong London connection having had 29 players loaned to them from Chelsea across the past decade, including England international Mason Mount.
Just one point separates third-placed Vitesse from first-placed Tottenham in Group G, so if Spurs are not careful, the Dutch side could leapfrog us with a shock win.
They enter this game on a four-match unbeaten Eredivisie run (W3, D1).
Vitesse have a winless streak against English opponents to overcome though (D1, L5).
Spurs have recorded three straight wins, including a 5-1 thrashing of Mura on UECL matchday two.
However, Tottenham are winless in three European away games (D1, L2), all of which we started as favourites.
Our last visit to the Netherlands saw Spurs score a 96th minute winner vs Ajax in the dramatic 2018/19 UCL semi-final.
Our European away form has been rather patchy since, failing to win in eight of our last 13 trips abroad following that incredible European night (W5, D3, L5).
That dramatic game also contributed to Tottenham’s positive away record against Dutch clubs (W6, D2, L1).
Vitesse defender Maximilian Wittek has made a goal contribution in four of his last eight competitive appearances (1G, 3A), whilst striker Harry Kane scored the first-ever hat-trick in the UECL proper on matchday two, however he hasn't travelled this time.
There has been six red cards shown across Vitesse Arnhem's last six games.
The outfield players who played against Newcastle United haven't travelled so they can concentrate on preparing for the West Ham game at the weekend.
That means we have the second XI out and we can perhaps expect a disjointed performance.
Predicted XI
Gollini
Tanganga
Rodon
Sánchez
Davies
Dele
Winks
Lo Celso
Bergwijn
Gil
Scarlett
The bench will be youngsters so some of them should see some first team game time.
It will be another chance for Scarlett to continue his education against adult centre-backs, a different world to the Premier League 2 games against fellow U-23 players.
Well that's it for this morning's offering folks.
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1 comment
Wow! that was very poor and again the lack of a back up striker is thrown in our face. Some of them have an excuse like Gill and Scarlett and the defence was passible but, Dele and Winks are you kidding me. They are full internationals and supposed to be challenging for a first team spot, not auditioning for a championship team (if they were lucky).