Saturday’s briefing: Double celebration for James family and Tudor’s battle cry

Igor Tudor has come out fighting as he spoke to the media ahead of Tottenham’s visit to Liverpool on Sunday, while Pep Guardiola was also on the attack after his side’s disappointing Champions League visit to Real Madrid.

It was a good day for the James family at Chelsea and Sky Sports had some different commentators for Wrexham’s clash with Swansea.

Tudor issues battle cry

Under-fire Igor Tudor has told Tottenham players to not be “victims” and to ignore the “b*******” in a desperate bid to rally his low-on-confidence squad for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.

Pressure ramped up on interim head coach Tudor after Spurs slipped to a 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday following a shambolic opening where back-up goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky made two disastrous errors.

Kinsky was substituted after only 17 minutes but Tudor watched Tottenham lose again to make it four defeats in a row to start his tenure, which is a first in the club’s history and the six consecutive losses they have suffered this year is also a record.

“Not easy situation, not an easy moment and from other side a big challenge to change things. Like everything in life, you can choose how to see the situation. So, you can stay and cry or you can fight,” Tudor insisted.

“You can be the victim or you can say I can change something. This is the message I want to start and what I told to the players. Everyone speaking, everyone has opinions and the life is always how you see it. The bottle is always half empty or half full.”

Bumper day for the James family

Reece James and sister Lauren both signed new long-term contracts with Chelsea.

Reece James had extensive conversations with the club’s hierarchy to establish the club’s plans before committing himself to a new six-year contract.

“It wasn’t really much of a decision,” said James. “I came through at the club, I love the club. I’ve experienced winning here and I believe there’s a lot more to come in the future.

“I’ve spoken to everyone from the top of the club down, from the ownership to sporting directors. I’m fully behind the project and what we’re trying to build.

“I wouldn’t go as far as (discussing) signings but I wanted to make sure that the direction and vision was aligned.”

Lauren James signed a new four-year deal with the women’s club.

Guardiola counting the coins

Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City do not have “many dollars in the bank” to mount a fightback against Real Madrid – but insists his first priority is beating West Ham.

City’s hopes of progressing in the Champions League were dealt a major blow in midweek as they crashed to a 3-0 loss at the Bernabeu, but they switch focus back to their Premier League title challenge with a visit to the relegation-threatened Hammers on Saturday.

Guardiola’s side have little time to dwell on events in the Spanish capital as they can ill=afford to drop more points in their battle with Arsenal, whom they trail by seven points.

The City manager said at his pre-match press conference: “Tomorrow night we have a game, an important one for the Premier League position. Then we have the second leg.

“We’re used to it, no? For many years we’ve lived these kind of situations.

“Now it’s West Ham and after that we will have time to think about it. Play the game you have to play and after the game will dictate if you have a chance or not.”

Hollywood commentary

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac entertained viewers as they provided live commentary on their side’s Championship 2-0 win over Swansea.

The Hollywood duo took to the Sky Sports commentary box for the Welsh derby at the Racecourse Ground and they called a home victory as a first-half strike from Nathan Broadhead and a Liam Cullen own goal consolidated Wrexham’s play-off position.

Neither of them tried to hide their allegiance as they lived and breathed every kick of their side’s match, with Sky Sports host David Prutton compering.

Deadpool actor Reynolds was the star of the show, showcasing his humour, often self-deprecating, with a string of one-liners while Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator Mac appeared to take a more analytical interest in the game.

What’s on today?

There could be another potentially decisive day in the Premier League title race as leaders Arsenal look to extend their lead at the summit when they host Everton at tea-time. They could be 10 points clear by the time Manchester City head to West Ham in the evening, with the Hammers looking to move out of the bottom three.

Any twists and turns in the race for Championship promotion could take place early on as leaders Coventry host Southampton in a grudge match and second-placed Middlesbrough welcome Bristol City, with both games kicking off at lunchtime.