Tottenham’s three winners and three losers from draw vs Newcastle
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank continued to assess his squad ahead of the new season with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle highlighting some good and bad performances.
As Heung-min Son signed off from Spurs after he confirmed he would be leaving the club, Brennan Johnson opened the scoring after only four minutes with a strike which heavily deflected off Newcastle defender Dan Burn.
The Toon hit back before half-time with a strike from Harvey Barnes to earn Eddie Howe’s side a first positive result of their pre-season.
However, the match was overshadowed by Spurs midfielder James Maddison having to be stretched off just minutes after the 28-year-old came on as a second half substitute.
Winners: Danso makes starting claim
Kevin Danso
The centre-back was the most impressive performer at the back for Spurs and he won the ball back to set Johnson up for the opening goal.
With Cristian Romero potentially leaving to join Atletico Madrid this summer, there is a spot up for grabs alongside Micky Van de Ven at the back.
Danso is still behind Romero in the pecking order right now, but he boosted his chances of earning another start in Spurs’ final pre-season test at Bayern Munich.
Djed Spence
With the performance of Ben Davies against Newcastle and Destiny Udogie’s knee injury keeping him out of the pre-season tour, Spence looks certain to start the season at left-back.
Spence was strong in defending against Bukayo Saka in the test against Arsenal, and although he wasn’t examined as thoroughly against Newcastle, he was solid in his defensive work.
The 24-year-old will be given a tougher test against Bayern in Spurs’ final pre-season friendly where his credentials will again be evaluated against one of Europe’s best sides.
Pape Sarr
Perhaps Spurs’ overall winner of pre-season, Sarr looks set to start the UEFA Super Cup match against PSG.
Sarr was deployed in the number 10 position against Newcastle, and the midfielder led Spurs’ energetic press which began the match.
That could be a tactic Frank looks to utilise in the Premier League this campaign, and Sarr also has the flexibility to step back and play in a midfield two as shown against Arsenal.
Losers: Spurs nervously await Maddison injury verdict
Ben Davies
The 32-year-old has been a loyal servant to Spurs over the past 11 years, but his performance against Newcastle highlighted he will only be a squad player under Frank this season.
Davies struggled against Newcastle’s front three and most of the joy the Toon endured during the match come down Spurs’ left flank.
Frank may need to sign a new full-back given his lack of options currently in the position and Davies’ form a worry.
James Maddison
Maddison looked distraught as he was stretched off and Frank will hope the injury is not as serious as it looked.
The midfielder though looks set to miss the opening of the campaign and with Dejan Kulusevski’s future at the club in doubt, Frank may need to sign another attacking midfielder.
With Son’s departure too, this adds greater pressure on new signing Mohammed Kudus to impress and hit the ground running.
Mathys Tel
With Dominic Solanke not involved, Tel had an opportunity from the start to showcase he could lead Spurs’ forward line.
With the biggest chance of the match, Tel fluffed his lines and could not beat Nick Pope in a one-one situation when the 20-year-old had all the time and space to pick his spot.
Tel’s performance did little to suggest that when Solanke returns the forward should take his spot, and opportunities missed like that will be a concern for Frank.