Tottenham 3-1 Rotherham in Third Closed Door Friendly
Tottenham ends their pre-season friendlies with a 2-1 record, winning the first and last games and losing their second match. Record aside, Spurs have given some youth players plenty of minutes ahead of their trip to Australia.
Just a few hours ago, Tottenham would complete their third and final closed door friendly against Rotherham United, winning by a score of 3-1.
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Because this game is played at Hotspur Way, Spurs’ training facility, it’s closed to the public but with the help of Tottenham’s official post-match report, they were able to summarize the action and which players took part in the 90 minute game.
Down below, we have Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI, which as usual, is a mixture of senior and youth academy players. A couple of the spots in the Argentine’s 4-2-3-1 formation are question marks because no names were given.
Therefore some players have just been randomly placed to complete the lineup.
The most notably names in this lineup are of course Vincent Janssen and Victor Wanyama. While Spurs’ regular first-team starters are slowly working their way back into the fold, Tottenham’s two new signings have continued to earn valuable minutes.
Other players who could force their way into the squad this year are Cameron Carter-Vickers, Shayon Harrison and Marcus Edwards, based on the fact that this is the final pre-season friendly before they take on Juventus in the International Champions Cup on July 25th in Australia.
Although the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters, Josh Onomah and Harry Winks haven’t been mentioned during Tottenham’s recent friendlies, perhaps it’s because Pochettino knows exactly what these players could do, especially Onomah and Winks.
Or maybe he’s just seeing what else he has in the academy. Hence, why Harrison and Edwards, are getting some playing time right now.
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Since this is a friendly and the scores don’t matter, the ones who managed to put Tottenham on the board do, as it’s a good indication for how players are progressing.
With Tottenham trailing 1-0 after 17 minutes from Grant Ward’s goal (Spurs’ current loanee), Vincent Janssen and Victor Wanyama almost equalized within a span of 60 seconds during the 20-minute mark.
Just before the break, Nacer Chadli who was starting at left midfield almost connected on a pass heading straight for Son Heung-Min before getting intercepted at the last second. Chadli, who has been linked to Swansea City, continues to play in friendlies.
Still trailing by a goal, Janssen would notch his first Spurs goal before the hour mark at the 57th minute. Kieran Trippier who was starting at right-back again, pushed up the field and delivered a very good low cross that Janssen put at the near post.
To finish the game off, Shayon Harrison who came on as a substitute for Janssen scored after Edwards registered an assist in the 82nd minute. And just for good measure, after assisting on a goal, Marcus Edwards found the back of the net to see Tottenham win 3-1.
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Again, these pre-season friendlies don’t necessarily mean much in terms of wins and losses. The only thing that proves beneficial is for Mauricio Pochettino and his squad to see where they’re currently at right now with the season opener looming in 23 days.
When Tottenham’s regular starters return, some of these academy players will revert to the bench during the ICC (International Champions Cup), but names like Harrison and Edwards, Carter-Vickers too, could have their name called up.
It could be a sign that they could all play a prominent role this season.