No way, Jose! Marine boss Neil Young hopes Mourinho DROPS Kane and Son for Sunday’s FA Cup clash after the Tottenham boss hints at a strong line-up… and jokes working out how to stop Spurs has turned him bald!
- AFC Marine host Premier League side Tottenham in the FA Cup on Sunday
- Jose Mourinho said his way to show respect would be by naming a strong team
- But Marine boss Neil Young joked that he’d rather Mourinho rotated his key men
Jose Mourinho believes that the best way for Tottenham to respect eighth tier AFC Marine in Sunday’s FA Cup third round clash is to name a strong Spurs side.
But Marine boss Neil Young might well be at the front of the queue to tell him that he doesn’t have to unleash England captain Harry Kane and the club’s top scorer, Heung-min Son, at Rosset Park.
The duo have arguably forged the deadliest partnership in the Premier League this season and Young even admitted that, in a particularly cramped calendar this season, he has been banking on them being absent.
AFC Marine manager Neil Young is prepping his minnows to face Tottenham on Sunday
Jose Mourinho has implied he will name a strong Tottenham team for the FA Cup clash
Young joked he has turned bald by trying to work out how to stop Tottenham’s star men
‘You’re painting the right picture for me aren’t you!,’ Young said with a smile when asked on how he could succeed where many other managers across Europe have failed in trying to nullify that ruthless attack.
‘I’m hoping they don’t play! They have a number of players who could play up front and world class players throughout the team. I had a full head of hair at the start of the week!’
The Marine boss is clearly relishing how to prepare his side for Mourinho’s men and for all his focus, he seems comfortable in enjoying the occasion.
But it is, sadly, also a day that will be impacted by Covid restrictions. Fans cannot attend, despite Merseyside being in tier 2 when the FA Cup draw was made, which would have allowed 500 supporters to attend.
Marine’s players, meanwhile, have all returned negative tests, meaning their squad dodged the heartbreak of missing the biggest game of their lives due to the virus.
Young, however, is hoping the protocols won’t stop him being able to have a quick chat with his opposite number on Sunday.
‘If we can get five minutes with Jose that would be fantastic, be that before or after the game,’ Young said. ‘Just to have a general chat to take any advice or help he can give us – that would be great.
‘But as I say, under Covid regulations I am not sure what we can and can’t do. A world class manager whose record speaks for itself and if he can give us any advice in any way, shape or form we’ll definitely take it on board.’
Marine’s captain, Niall Cummins, is an Arsenal fan and relishing the chance to face Tottenham
Marine’s captain, Niall Cummins, is an Arsenal supporter and speaking to Sportsmail in the week, he admitted he has allowed himself to dream about scoring the winner against his biggest rivals.
‘I shouldn’t have revealed that too early,’ Cummins said. ‘It might come back to haunt me!
‘You sometimes have them little thoughts of “what would you say in a post-match interview after you beat Tottenham?” but obviously we’ve got a mammoth task ahead of us.’
Cummins, who has been encouraging the Marine players to keep extra fit by training in their own time ahead of the match, joked that the diets between the two sides is the biggest difference as they prepare to lock horns.
Cummins and Young are bidding to pull off perhaps the biggest shock in the FA Cup’s history
‘There’s not a comparison – what they get cooked for them and what I cook for myself!’ Cummins said – but refused to say what his go-to food treat is.
‘Let’s not go there! But some of the things we put in our bodies compared to them – they get looked after, it’s a different way of life.
‘The way they turn up to games, the training sessions, the whole works really. it is completely different to us but that;s part of the challenge and something to look forward to.’
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