It is relatively secure to say that Tottenham do not significantly like travelling to St James’ Park. It has been a bleak away fixture for the Lilywhites who simply can not seem to defeat Newcastle United.
Their report in recent times has been dreadful, with that iconic 6-1 defeat the place the Magpies ran rampant within the first half nonetheless relatively recent within the reminiscence.
Spurs’ fortunes have been no higher on Sunday afternoon, even when the efficiency was extra convincing than in recent times.
On one other day, Ange Postecoglou’s facet might fairly simply have left Tyneside with all three factors. They struck the bar, compelled Nick Pope into some nervy moments and will in all probability have scored by means of Wilson Odobert. It mentioned all of it, nonetheless, that they needed to depend on an personal objective in the course of the 2-1 loss.
Cristian Romero wasn’t on the races and was caught out of place for each objectives, notably for the second when Jacob Murphy was given the liberty of the pitch to run in behind and lay it on a plate for Alexander Isak.
Isak’s efficiency in numbers towards Spurs
The efficiency of Isak would little question have intrigued Postecoglou, significantly after the arrival of their very own big-money striker this summer season within the form of Dominic Solanke.
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Isak’s report vs Spurs |
|
|---|---|
|
Video games |
4 |
|
Wins |
3 |
|
Attracts |
0 |
|
Defeats |
1 |
|
Targets |
5 |
|
Stats through Transfermarkt. |
|
Spurs have been arguably stifled by the Englishman’s damage on Sunday and lacked a focus, somebody to goal for within the field to reap the benefits of their fixed second-half strain.
Because it occurs, it was that man Isak who scored the winner. The Swede hasn’t regarded his regular self this time period however he loves taking part in towards Tottenham and added to his tally over the weekend. The end was easy, tapping into an empty internet from a matter of some years after Murphy had taken Guglielmo Vicario out of the sport.
Moreover that, the centre-forward maybe did not have his greatest outing, successful simply three of his 14 duels and freely giving possession on ten events.
That mentioned, the £60m-rated expertise is likely one of the most menacing attackers within the division. His 21 objectives in 30 Premier League matches final season says all of it.
Postecoglou will little question hope that Solanke reaches these dizzy heights as soon as match and firing. The previous Cherries star was prised away for a £65m charge, greater than Isak’s present valuation, as per Fotmob. He isn’t the one man within the white of Spurs who’s price extra although.
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James Maddison’s season in numbers
Signed for a charge of £40m in the course of the Australian supervisor’s first summer season within the dug-out, James Maddison has had a topsy-turvy Spurs profession.
The attacking midfielder began final season on fireplace, scoring thrice and supplying 5 assists in his opening 11 matches. Damage struck, nonetheless, and since then he hasn’t been the identical participant, lacking out on a spot within the squad for Euro 2024, a call that understandably left him gutted.
Returning at first of 2024, Maddison endured a run of 17 matches the place he scored solely as soon as. At the beginning of the brand new marketing campaign, he is regarded extra like his older self. Maddison has failed to attain once more however he is picked up assists versus each Leicester Metropolis and Everton.
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Maddison in 2023/24 (Premier League) |
|
|---|---|
|
Video games |
28 |
|
Targets |
4 |
|
Assists |
9 |
|
Large possibilities created |
11 |
|
Key passes per sport |
2.4 |
|
Profitable dribbles per sport |
1.1 |
|
Photographs per sport |
2.1 |
|
Stats through Sofascore. |
|
You sense that after this Spurs workforce begins to fireside, these numbers will solely enhance. Certainly, the considered the England worldwide that includes in a three-prong assault alongside Heung-min Son and the aforementioned Solanke is an thrilling one.
Though he is endured a difficult 12 months, that is nonetheless one of many division’s premier creators we’re speaking about right here. Final time period, the “unimaginable” midfielder, as dubbed by expertise scout Jacek Kulig, ranked inside the highest 8% of positionally comparable gamers within the Premier League for assists per 90 and among the many greatest 3% for key passes, as per FBRef.
So, if Postecoglou can discover a technique to unlock extra from the 27-year-old, he’ll little question show key of their battle to safe a top-four place. Now valued at £65m, £5m greater than Isak, it says all of it about how a lot folks charge him throughout the sport. He’s up there with the easiest English soccer has to supply. A spot in Lee Carsley’s Three Lions set-up absolutely will not be far-off.
