• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Pundit mocks Spurs for parking the bus against 'farmers league' opponents

Home> Football

Published 11:47 2 Nov 2022 GMT

Pundit mocks Spurs for parking the bus against 'farmers league' opponents

Tottenham may have topped their Champions League group with an away win at Marseille last night, but not everyone was impressed.

Tom Fenton

Tom Fenton

In a febrile Stade Velodrome atmosphere last night, Tottenham earned a famous 2-1 win against Marseille to top their Champions League group - and confirm their place in the Last 16.

For most, the result was all that mattered, as Spurs did fall behind in the first half, and were 35 minutes away from being dumped out of the competition entirely.

However, in the opinion of former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor, the London club's performance left a lot to be desired.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, where the 36-year-old regularly appears as a pundit, he blasted Antonio Conte's men for 'parking the bus' and deploying overtly defensive tactics.

Advert

He told talkSPORT: "Well, I mean, in the first half, I thought Spurs were playing Real Madrid.

"It was like they were playing the best-ever Real Madrid team. The way they parked that double-decker bus in the first half was like nothing I'd ever seen before. I mean, you look at that Marseille team..."


The game itself was a tight and nervy affair, with both Spurs and Marseille knowing that a win would see them through to the Last 16. The cauldron like atmosphere in southern France appeared to lift the hosts early on, with Chancel Mbemba scoring the first goal of the game on the stroke of half-time.

Advert

And yet, Spurs - who were without Conte on the touchline following his ban - rallied in the second period, equalising through defender Clement Lenglet, before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg sealed a dramatic winner with virtually the last kick of the game.

Far from praising the Spurs players for coming from behind to win the game, Agbonlahor instead pointed out how poor the Marseille side was on paper, detailing how many of their starters are 'Premier League rejects'.

He said: "Lopez, the 'keeper, flop at Spurs. Mbemba, flop at Newcastle. Tavares, flop at Arsenal. Veretout, flop at Aston Villa. Guendouzi, flop at Arsenal.

Matteo Guendouzi was one of the Premier League 'flops' that Agbonlahor took aim at.
Alamy

Advert

"Kolasinac, who came on, flop at Arsenal. These are Premier League flops, and you're going into the game parking the biggest bus you'll ever see for the first half. And this wasn't even defensive; it was ultra-defensive. Harry Kane was probably halfway into his own half, defending.

"You can play a defensive tactic to try and play on the counter-attack, but you've got to leave one player forward. They didn't have anyone forward. Marseille are fifth, fifth in the farmers' league, and you park that bus."

While their brand of football might not be winning over the neutrals, Spurs' progression to the Last 16 of the Champions League is a fine achievement, considering the club's downturn in form of late.

Having finished top of their group, potential opponents in the next round include Club Brugge and Inter Milan, who also secured passage on Tuesday night.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Gabriel Agbonlahor, Tottenham Hotspur, Champions League, Marseille

Tom Fenton
Tom Fenton

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Europa League draw: Man Utd, Spurs and Rangers learn opponents for round of 16
  • Spurs Omit Six Players From Champions League Squad Including £30m Summer Signing
  • Man Utd and Spurs' Europa League wins open door for never-before-seen scenario for the Premier League
  • Man United and Spurs' Europa League wins could create never-before-seen scenario for the Premier League

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • Getty
    7 hours ago

    Dele Alli Has Four Offers On The Table As One Club Makes Urgent Approach

    Dele Alli has been a free agent since leaving Italian side Como after making just one appearance for Cesc Fabregas' side.

    Football
  • Getty
    8 hours ago

    Rio Ferdinand Reveals Chat With Lisandro Martinez After Paul Scholes Clash

    Rio Ferdinand spoke to Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez amid his war of words with Paul Scholes.

    Football
  • Getty
    11 hours ago

    Brooklyn Beckham Releases Bombshell Statement As He Breaks Silence On Family Feud

    Brooklyn Beckham put out an explosive statement addressing his feud with parents David and Victoria.

    Football
  • Getty
    11 hours ago

    Pep Guardiola Tipped for Shock Mid-Season Manchester City Exit This Week

    Pep Guardiola's Manchester City suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime and it fuelled exit talk.

    Football