Juric on Archer, Spurs and prospect of relegation

Ivan Juric has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Tottenham (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

  • Juric said Paul Onuachu has missed training with an "ankle problem" but added: "[Ryan] Manning is OK, Lesley [Ugochukwu] is OK. I think Will Smallbone will come back into training tomorrow."
  • On the progress of Cameron Archer: "I think he's a really emotional guy, a really quiet guy and in the past few weeks and months, he's been completely different and very good in training. If he plays, I think he will be really good."
  • Juric was also asked how he thinks Tyler Dibling has been playing since his injury: "I think that he is a really young guy. They start to know him, what he's doing - he's not like a new player where nobody knows him. It became a little bit more difficult for him but I have to say he is working really hard and getting better."
  • On the prospect of being relegated this weekend if results go against them: "I don't think about that anymore. Our goal has to be not be the worst team."
  • On whether he thinks he will keep his job if they are relegated: "At this moment I don't know. I have to speak with the club and see. Every coach has his vision and I think the club has to do everything they can to agree with the coach and then they go the same way."
  • On his game plan for the trip to Spurs: "It will be different because they play completely different [to Crystal Palace]. It's 4-3-3 and it's different but I want to work on this principle now - the moment of high pressure [and] the moment we are low and we defend lower. I think this will be our way until the end of the season."
  • He was also complimentary of Ange Postecoglou's side: "I have a feeling they are like last year now, much more compact and I think some players are crucial for them like [Cristian] Romero and they are really good again."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Full commentary of Tottenham v Southampton on the BBC Sport website from 14:00 BST on Sunday

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[BBC]
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