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Don’t expect a repeat of Tottenham’s Rodney Parade performance

By Gary Pearson

NEWPORT, WALES - JANUARY 27: Fernando Llorente of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Ben White of Newport County during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Newport County and Tottenham Hotspur at Rodney Parade on January 27, 2018 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
NEWPORT, WALES - JANUARY 27: Fernando Llorente of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Ben White of Newport County during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Newport County and Tottenham Hotspur at Rodney Parade on January 27, 2018 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham won’t repeat the nightmare they endured at Rodney Parade when they host Newport at Wembley tomorrow in the FA Cup fourth round replay.

Coming off excellent displays against two of England’s best, Tottenham are firing on all cylinders heading into tomorrow’s match, posing an entirely new set of seemingly insurmountable challenges for Michael Flynn’s side.

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Newport will have the advantage of suiting up against a weakened Tottenham lineup, as Mauricio Pochettino would be mad not to start his fringe players at home against the League 2 side.

Playing one of his strongest starting teams at Rodney Parade is one thing, but picking a similar side for a Wembley replay would be more perplexing than surprising.

The gaffer has strong depth in numbers and has an unmissable opportunity to start squad players, those who are still capable of handling Newport at Wembley.

Tottenham will boss the game, unlike the return fixture

Pochettino’s team will right their wrongs from first fixture in Wales over two weeks ago. The lavish setting of Wembley awaits, and Spurs will use the luxurious fixings the national stadium offers to show their superior quality.

Regardless of what side is picked, expect Tottenham to have this result sealed away by the 65th minute. Lightning will not strike twice, the thought of heading into the final 10 minutes a goal down, like at Rodney Parade, doesn’t bear thinking about.

Beyond the minor blip which occurred on a derelict pitch in Wales, Spurs have since bossed Manchester United and Liverpool off the pitch, both in possession and overall quality.

With Arsenal and Juventus lying in wait, Pochettino will use the home match against Newport to evaluate a few players who could, with a superb performance or two, start working their way into contention for the behemoth forthcoming matches.

Next: What impressed most about Tottenham's 2-2 draw at Anfield

Then again, Spurs top 11, barring any unforeseen injury concerns, are basically shoo ins at the moment.

Tottenham should run out 3-0 winners against a side whose fairytale FA Cup story is about to come to an end on England’s biggest stage.

But Flynn can take solace knowing Newport’s coffers are swollen, like his confidence, to never-seen-before levels.