A small fan seen from behind trots onto a night pitch beneath a giant pair of springy boots, chasing a silhouetted dancing player in white.

Match ReportThe High Road Herald

Maddison Praises Mathys Tel Quick Feet, So Supporter Outside Stadium Volunteers As Full-Back For Torment

Desmond Parry · Chief Football Correspondent18 October · Reading time: one pint

James Maddison told Sky Sports that Mathys Tel has the quickest feet in Spurs training, the second player after Sandro Tonali to say so, although Tel has no goal or assist this season.

A Tottenham man has taken up a defensive position on the forecourt of the stadium, in the belief that he has been asked to.

The move follows remarks by James Maddison to Sky Sports, in which the midfielder named Mathys Tel as the most skilful player in the squad and praised his super quick feet. Tonali had said much the same earlier this month.

The supporter, who is not a full-back and has never been one, read the interview twice on the 63 bus. He then went home for his shin pads.

If they need someone to be got past, I'm here. I'm not saying I'll enjoy it. I'm saying I'm available.

The Herald understands the man took up his stance at ten past nine on a day with no fixture, no tour and no visible staff. He has since been joined by a flask and a traffic cone, which he refers to as the winger.

Tel is yet to register a goal or an assist this season. He was left out of the squad for the Aston Villa game and was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with United. The supporter regards this as a scheduling matter and says he has cleared his afternoon to help with it.

Maddison also named Jan Paul van Hecke as the squad's teacher's pet. The supporter has not acted on this, saying only that he has no one to hug him in the morning and does not want to start now.

At the time of going to press the cone had not moved, and he was holding his ground.

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A small coach seen from behind shouts on a sunny touchline beside a giant pint glass filled with coins.

TransfersThe High Road Herald

Group Chat Reads Suzuki €45m Freiburg Valuation Aloud, Votes To Reply With Thumbs Up And Adjourns

Barry Napier · Transfer Correspondent18 October · Reading time: one pint

Fussball News reports that Tottenham and AC Milan are considering about €35m for Freiburg's Yuito Suzuki, who is said to be valued at €40m to €45m, and the chat has seven members, two of whom are on mute.

A group chat of seven Tottenham supporters has reached a formal position on Yuito Suzuki, the Freiburg attacking midfielder linked with Spurs by Fussball News, following a sitting held entirely on the top deck of a London bus.

The chat was called to order at 7:38am when a member forwarded the report with the single word "thoughts". It is understood that a second member then read the item aloud to the whole deck, without being asked to.

The facts before the meeting were set out plainly. Freiburg are reported to value the 24-year-old at between €40m and €45m, the contract has no active release clause, and Tottenham and AC Milan are said to be considering about €35m including bonuses.

Ten million short. That's not a gap, that's a conversation.

The remark came from the member in the front seat, who had held the floor since Finsbury Park and was not challenged. A second member asked whether Suzuki was the one from Brondby. He was told that he was, and the chair noted the question for the record.

A further point of order concerned Real Sociedad, reported to be monitoring his progress, and whether this made them a rival or merely a spectator. A ruling was deferred.

The motion, that the chat "notes the report", was carried by one thumbs-up, three abstentions, and a member who was asleep against the window. The minutes were taken on a phone at nine per cent.

The next sitting is provisionally Thursday.

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