Spurs v Newcastle – Match preview

One for Sorrow, Two for Joy, Three for Pukki,…

Steve Bruce’s Magpies come to N17 on Sunday afternoon.

Newcastle haven’t had the best start to 2019/20. After losing narrowly to the filthy Gooners on the opening day, the Barcodes took a pasting at Carrow Road last weekend, a result that will have left most Geordie fans feeling that they probably face a long hard season even bearing in mind that there’s not yet been time for the new signings, Joelinton and Saint-Maximin in particular, to bed in.

The Nice Man Cometh

Talking of pastings, our game at the Etihad has of course been the subject of much debate, the majority of it around VAR and KDB whereas KWP and the rest of the much-improved-after-half-time- defence are also worth a mention. I’ve not seen anyone point out that if the goalies were swapped then Man City would probably have won. Hugo > Ederson.

Finally, Son is eligible once more. In fact, with Lo Celso apparently ready also, Poch has a selection dilemma. Assuming we stick with a back four (with or without Vertonghen) and Winks and Ndombele in front of them and Kane up front, then which three of Son, Eriksen, Lucas, Lamela and Lo Celso will get the nod? And there’s Sissoko of course.

Much depends on formation and fitness of course. The usual diamond or something from the back of the locker. I suspect Son will start on the bench as probably will Lo Celso. Sissoko started ahead of Lucas last week, the diminutive Brazilian is proving to be one of our best finishers however so it would not be a surprise to see him back in the team. Poch loves Lamela and Lamela loves Poch so I’d guess at Eriksen, Lucas and Lamela to start with Harry.

Dele, Davies, Sessegnon and Aurier are all still injured I believe, I may be wrong though, I’m writing this before the press conference.

“Say it to the camera”

The ego that is Mike Dean is the man in the middle. The last time he reffed us it did not go well. We were beaten at Burnley and Poch properly lost his rag at something that Dean said to him after the final whistle. What that was I don’t think has ever been discovered. Perhaps Bruce could get Steve Barnes, his legendary fictional detective on the case.

The Rhythm Method

We should have more than enough to see off Newcastle, we have thought that before though many times and been given a nasty shock. Almiron at least has the talent to hurt us. As well as a win, a sign that we’re heading towards some sort of attacking rhythm would be great. Against Villa there were promising signs at the end, with KWP providing width on the right and Lamela on the left allowing Ndombele and Eriksen to use the space in the middle left by a stretched defence. There was little to get excited about last weekend however. Three points beckon, surely?

COYS

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