Ugo Ehiogu- A commemorative piece on a man who had such a profound impact on Spurs’ academy:

Last Friday, the footballing community woke up to the shocking news of the sudden passing of former England international Ugo Ehiogu. Ehiogu was one of the finest English centre halves of his generation, a player who was admired by so many, the Hackney born defender who won four caps for his country, enjoyed famous spells with Aston Villa and Middlesbrough where he won two league cup trophies. Regarded as a legend by both Villa and Middlesbrough supporters for his terrific defensive qualities, Ehiogu went on to play for a host of other top clubs. Ugo was our much respected under 23’s head coach, a talented young coach, Ehiogu coached our development side on a permanent basis since 2014, having joined our academy coaching staff on a part time basis a couple of years earlier. Since taking the job of coaching our under 21’s as they were known then, Ehiogu instilled Pochettino’s footballing philosophy into his team, playing with a high pressing style of play. It was just three weeks ago that I had seen him on the touchline at Goodison park for Spurs under 23’s in their game against Everton. Just as I had seen him many times before over the past few seasons, Ehiogu’s coaching had a profound impact on the development of all those that he had coached, Tottenham academy graduates both past and present. Ugo Ehiogu was a winner, and his winning mentality was always evident on the touchline, even if we were 3-0 up and we had just squandered a chance, he’d always be looking for his team to extend their lead, his passion and enthusiasm for the game was infectious.

Often animated from the dugout, Ehiogu was a great communicator to his players, it was clear to see he was a great motivator to them. What I admired most about Ehiogu as a coach was his fighting spirit, and he had implemented that fighting spirit into every single one of his players, whether we were trailing 4-0 to Liverpools under 23’s in the opening half an hour of a game, Ehiogu’s players would fight like pros until the final whistle, playing for more than pride. The tributes came quickly pouring in on Friday morning after news of his death broke, what was particularly touching was the messages from his players both past and present, their appreciation for him on their immense development as players and as people. Pochettino added: “Ugo was a lovely man and we had a very good relationship from the first day we [my coaching team] arrived at the club. He was always a person who helped us a lot and we will miss him greatly. I send all my love to his family and friends at such a difficult time. It’s a huge loss both personally and for all the Tottenham Hotspur family.” From the many games I had watched Ugo coach in, personally I have no doubt that he would have gone on to become a great manager, he enriched our blossoming academy and helped to bring through the likes of Harry Winks and Josh Onomah to the first team, his passing is a huge loss to our club and football in general. My sincere condolences go to his family and friends at this terrible time. RIP Ugo.
His last tweet was the measure of the man:

Spurs versus Bournemouth: (match preview)

Tomorrow lunchtime Spurs host Bournemouth at the Lane, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side look to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea to just four points. Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side come to north London having drawn their last three outings, including impressive draws with Manchester United and Liverpool. The cherries sit in 15th position, seven points adrift of the danger zone but with survival still not a mathematical certainty, Howe’s side will be eager to pick up a point against the Lillywhites when they face them on Saturday. However we’re in red hot form coming into this game and a victory would equal our record of 12 home league wins, that recording stretching all the way back to the 1920’s. Bournemouth are in some ways similar to us, they play fearless attacking football with a flair to their game, they press high and have a great work ethic and it is no surprise that Mauricio Pochettino, said that he enjoys to watch the cherries in action. Whilst former Manchester United man Josh King is in scintillating form with 10 goals from his last 11 matches, I feel as if the danger will come from Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere in the middle of the park with his his defence splitting passing, whilst the searing pace of Ryan Fraser will have Kyle Walker busy down the right flank. We have no choice but to win as far as the title race is concerned, though our opposition will provide a much tougher test than Watford did last week. I’m predicting a tough game for Mauricio Pochettino’s men but one that I still can still only see ending in victory for the Lillywhites. I shall have a match report of tomorrow afternoons game published by late afternoon. COYS!
Team news: Harry Winks, Danny Rose and Erik Lamela are all ruled out, whilst Michel Vorm and Cameron Carter-Vickers are injury doubts ahead of Saturday lunchtimes game. With Harry Kane in contention for a first start in over a month and Victor Wanyama reportedly set to return in midfield, its hard to know what formation Pochettino will line up in. After all he surely couldn’t drop the inform Son to opt for a 3-4-2-1 formation?

My predicted lineup: (3-4-2-1) Lloris, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Walker, Dier, Dembele, Davies, Eriksen, Alli, Kane.

A pre match read: My article on the inform Son Heung-Min. https://superhotspur.com/2017/04/09/here-comes-the-son-son-continues-to-improve-in-his-second-season-at-the-lillywhites/

My predicted score : Spurs 3-1 Bournemouth. Courtesy of goals from Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Son.

One to watch: The inform Norwegian forward Josh King, who has 13 league goals this season.

Spurs under 23’s 1-0 Sunderland: (match report)

Our under 23’s side recorded an important 1-0 victory over Sunderland this evening, as Ugo Ehiogu’s side move up to seventh in the PL2 table. Our victory at the Lamex stadium in Stevenage, was in my opinion the teams best performance of the season. It was a faultless team performance, everyone worked so hard and made vital contributions to the play. We controlled the game, dictating the tempo against a good Sunderland side, and despite fielding four under 18 players, Ehiogu’s players dominated the game and reaped their rewards. The game was only five minutes old when the Lillywhites took the lead, courtesy of young striker Kazaiah Sterling. After Christian Maghoma hit a long ball upfield, Sunderland’s goalkeeper Max Stryjkek controlled the ball with his feet but the high pressing of Sterling unsettled Stryjeck, and the striker managed to rob the ball off him and hit the ball home, 1-0 to Spurs. After having taken the lead Spurs established their authority on the game, making the visitors chase after the ball. However, Sunderland almost found a way back into the game on 24 minutes, when the ball fell to Swedish forward Joel Asoro and from eight yards out the striker forced a tremendous cat like diving save from Lopez, with the ball deflecting off of Tanganga in the process. Just under ten minutes later Spurs came close to doubling their advantage, following a foul on Tsaroulla on the edge of the penalty area, Joe Pritchard stepped up to curl a wonderful effort over the wall as if cannoned off the crossbar, much to the relief of the Sunderland goalkeeper.

 

The second period started in Sunderlands favour, as the Tyne and Wear club almost drew level a couple of minutes in. Joel Asoro showing brilliant feet as he surged forward on to the edge of the penalty area, before firing an effort off the inside of the post, with the ball somehow going wide as it came back across the goal. Later Spurs went close at the other end, after Sterling was found at the far post from the resulting free kick, but the strikers effort from close range hit the side netting. Spurs battled well both defensively and in the midfield as they saw out the game, to record a much deserved victory. I thought every single player had an excellent game against the black cats and and Monday evenings performance will be a massive confidence boost to Ehiogu’s side.

Player review:
– Pau Lopez: Although he wasn’t tested a great deal, Lopez made a world class save in the first half. In addition the Spaniards handling was very impressive.
– Joe Muscatt: An excellent display from the right back, solid defensively Muscatt drove forward with some great weaving runs on many occasions, and demonstrated great skill.
– Nick Tsaroulla: His first ever appearance for the under 23’s, but the left back looked right at home putting in a great display at left back, making some fine challenges.
– Filip Lesniak: The skipper was an anchor in the midfield, very efficient and didn’t make a single mistake all night.
– Japhet Tanganga: The second year scholar was very comfortable against Sunderland, composed and tenacious. Him and Maghoma make a good centre back pairing.
– Christian Maghoma: A quality display from the tall centre back, Maghoma was commanding and dealt very well with the Sunderland attack, winning almost all of his headers.
– Shayon Harrison: The Yeovil loanee was played out wide tonight and he showed really good feet, looking very dangerous when going forward.
– Zenon Stylianides: Was such an important player in our win, Stylianides showed great awareness as he impressed with both the offensive and defensive aspects of his game. Glided past players and made some lovely forward passes.
– Shilow Tracey: Never stopped, constantly pressed the Sunderlands defence, and made some lovely powerful forward runs.
– Kazaiah Sterling: Sterling’s fantastic goalscoring form continued as he netted what proved to be the winner. Sterling was a constant threat, sharp and instinctive it looks as if this won’t be his last under 23 match of the the season.

– Joe Pritchard: A good performance from the attacking midfielder, worked incredibly hard and was so unlucky not to get on the scoresheet with his free kick.

My man of the match: Zenon Stylianides. The skilful midfielder was such an important player in our 1-0 win, Stylianides showed great awareness as he impressed with both the offensive and defensive aspects of his game. Glided past players and made some lovely forward passes, his skilful style of play and great vision outwitting the Sunderland midfield.

Spurs: Pau Lopez, Muscatt, Tsaroulla, Lesniak (c), Tanganga, Maghoma, Harrison, Stylianides (Skipp 90+1), Tracey, Pritchard (Owens 79), Sterling (Goddard 87).Substitutes (not used): Glover (GK).

Sunderland: Stryjek, J Robson, Hume, Wright, Casey, Ledger, Molyneux, E Robson (c), Asoro, Embleton, Greenwood. Substitutes (not used): Brotherton, Gamble, Taylor, Yves Poame, Talbot (GK).

Goal: Spurs – Sterling 5.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Goddard 90+1; Sunderland – J Robson 33, Casey 89.

Referee: Dean Treleaven.

Attendance: 372.