Reasons the second Tottenham Vitesse match will be different

As Tottenham Hotspur takes on Vitesse Arnhem for the second time in as many European matches, fans can expect a different Spurs time around.

Despite holding a majority of the possession when Spurs played Vitesse in the Netherlands, they were outshot, outfought, and outscored in the 0-1 defeat. However, that Spurs team will be quite different from the one who takes the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday in the return match. A difference in personnel is just one of several reasons fans should expect a different game.

Tottenham is not likely to start the second string

It was controversial at the time and maybe did end up adding to the loss of a dressing room he maybe never had but for better or worse, Nuno Espirito Santo took a mostly backup squad to Arnhem. That team was a completely new XI plus substitutes from the team who had played just a few days prior against Newcastle in a 2-3 win.

Unfortunately, instead of getting the response of the best from the players taken, Nuno and Spurs received something much less. However, the good fortune of missing out on Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, and the other top stars of Tottenham on Thursday seems quite slim. While our projected XI only has one of the two, even just one is more than Spurs took on the road.

Spurs players will want to impress the new boss

One of the benefits that can come to a team after hiring a new manager is the new manager bounce. That bounce is typically the result of players stepping up that bit extra – mostly to impress the new boss. Tottenham and Antonio Conte should not be an exception to that new manager bounce.

Whereas the squad in Arnhem was flat, we should expect anything but on Thursday from Tottenham. With a coach known for working hard to separate the wheat from the chaff, you can guarantee that whoever is called upon will give 100%.

in his initial words to fans with the club, it was not about making us proud, it was about the passion he brings to the game and the passion he wants to see from his players. The evaluation process started before Conte even walked in the door and is amplified during matches. As the first real opportunity to impress who could be some’s last Spurs coach we should expect supreme effort on Thursday.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be a difference-maker

A week ago the idea of fans turning out in style for Thursday’s Conference League match seemed laughable. The team was not playing well and frankly, tickets are just way overpriced.

Maybe the cost has not changed but the atmosphere around the club certainly has. It may be misleading – because the top tier is closed – however, the stadium should be sold out on Thursday. Just as we are again seeing smiles on the faces of the players in training, there are smiles and new energy with fans as there should be.

Conte is a real winner and his hiring means something for the team and fans are behind it. It has been a long time since Tottenham fans have all kind of universally liked a decision but Conte is close to it and the results will be heard for the players on Thursday evening.

Levy and ENIC are not forgiven for everything but this is another sign that a new dawn is ahead for this club and that dawn starts with a very different European game from one just a fortnight ago.