Spurs fans comments ahead of playing Newcastle United – Definitely worth a look

Intriguing reading these comments from Spurs fans ahead of facing Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The two clubs playing for a place in the last eight of the Carabao Cup.

An 8pm kick-off and Spurs fans have taken up the maximum 4,900 ticket allocation for this match.

Fair to say though that in the comments below, a lot of very differing views.

A lot of that centred around how important (or not) this competition is to Spurs fans, as well as how much rotation there should be in Thomas Frank’s team selection.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United team have won all three St James’ Park matches against Spurs, NUFC scoring 12 goals in this trio of wins and conceding only two.

Spurs fans commenting via their top supporters forum:

‘I wouldn’t be doing this away trip if you paid me. Midweek to Newcastle in this weather, no thanks.’

‘We can’t afford not to rest players like Van de Ven and Vicario. I’d like us to field a strong team and make a proper go of it but with our squad the league and CL have to take priority. This one may well be a free hit for Newcastle.

I’ll be watching as usual and hoping for the best but I’m not expecting much.’

‘Not sure why anyone is afraid of Newcastle. They haven’t been very good thus far this season and only 2 of their players have contributed to any of their goals.

The game will likely be dictated by how much physicality the ref wants to let slide. At St James’s Park, it will probably be a case of letting Newcastle get away with it – which means Spurs need to get physical back.

Keep Bruno marked out of the game.’

‘Will be good to see how seriously Newcastle are taking it too…

As HOLDERS, you’d think they’d wanna defend their trophy, but having already WON it, they might feel like they’re onto bigger and better things!’

‘Newcastle play West Ham Sunday and then are at home next Wednesday. Howe rarely rotates heavily so will probably go full strength in this pretty much.’

‘Lots of changes for me.

I’d be wrapping up Vicario, Porro, VDV, Spence, Palhinha, Bentancur and Kudus for Chelsea.

Tel, Odobert, Sarr, Bergvall, Xavi, Gray and Kinsky definitely to start at Newcastle.’

‘We’re not scoring in this, they have lots of giants that can swat anything in the air.

Penalties it is then.’

‘Strongest team please. I want more trophies.’

‘Porro and Djed desperate need of a rest, VdV and Danso too, but Levynomics has left us so short in areas, just a couple of injuries has exposed us.

It might be wise to play some kids, give them a bloody nose and some experience.

Tough call, as I want to win this, easiest cup for us, but we just don’t have a squad we can complete with everything.’

‘If we win one of our next two games (this one and Chelsea) which one do you choose?

I choose Newcastle.’

‘Newcastle in an early round of an utterly pointless competition that shouldn’t exist….or beating Chelsea for only the 2nd time in over 5 years.

Easy pick – Chelsea.’

‘Wholesale changes. We must rest VDV, Palhinha and Kudus for Chelsea. I wouldn’t even have them 3 in the squad. I’d like to see Porro get a rest too. I’d make as many changes as possible. Maybe even play some academy lads at the back. Bentancur could possibly go into centre back? Something like this:

Chelsea on Saturday is the biggest game of the season. F… the cup. We got a shocking draw and even if we went full strength there is a good chance it still wouldn’t be enough. Make the changes and hope for a miracle.’

‘This is a cup we can win………

No mass rotation pls Thomas.’

‘I’m going to this one, first visit to SJP since the 80s. I’m spending a couple of nights there, so will take in the sights whilst I’m up there.

I must remember to pack my thermals and binoculars.’

‘Slim pickings for the back 4 since rotation is absolutely needed regardless of whether you want to take this comp seriously or not.

I think you gotta rest VdV so what are we looking at? Porro/Spence, Danso, ????, and Gray across the back.’

‘If we manage it, we need to keep up strong away momentum.

Frank likes to rotate quite a bit…I’d gamble a bit more tho.

I think we can mix it up us as we go and still beat them.’

‘I don’t think he’ll go full Poch in Europa and write it off, but I think he’ll use it as an opportunity for quite a bit of rotation.

Would expect Kinsky, Gray, Tel, Sarr, Johnson and Bergvall to all come into the 11.

Given our injuries we can’t really rotate any more than that, though, so will still only be a half-changed 11.’

‘Making excuses because of squad rotation already?

Ange got to the Semi Final last season, knocking out City, United and beating Liverpool in the first leg. All whilst playing Gray and Dragusin at CB, Forster in goal and Werner up top.’

‘Who’s making excuses?

Just discussing the obvious rotation. Newcastle will do the same no doubt.’

‘ think you’re right, a few changes for this game, but still field a strong team. Newcastle will probably rotate their squad as well, so should be a good game.

We want more trophies, so winning this game is a big deal.’

‘Given Newcastle are also in the CL I’d expect them to rotate a similar amount – probably see Osula, Willock and Miley come in. Maybe even Targett and Krafth if we’re lucky. Their squad is getting stronger too, though, so should be a decent side regardless.’

‘Couldn’t care less about the Cacabooboo Cup.

Play Ben, Sarr and the kids.’

‘Mate, it’s a TROPHY!’

‘Being in the Champions League and this Trophy requiring home and away legs in the busiest part of the season makes the league cup one we have to rotate heavily in.

The FA is much more reasonable and gets really tough by the time we are realistically out of the Champions League, so won’t put too much strain on our league form.’

‘After winning europa last season we must not sacrifice putting a weak side out. Want the momentum of winning trophies every season. We must go strong for this game.’

‘Have you seen our schedule over the next month.’

‘Everyone rotates in this cup. There’s a reason we have a 25 man squad full of multi millionaires. For this type of “challenge”

A team 12th in the league with 1 more point than Leeds and 2 more points than Burnley.
GD +1. After almost 10 games. Wow!!

And who also struggle to be in the top 100 sides in Europe.

Not like we are playing Sunderland is it!!

Play the kids!! Onto the QFs we march.’

‘For someone who has for years criticised Managers for concentrating on the top 4 non trophy and playing weak teams in the domestic cups this game is hard for me. With our injuries and the top young players all out on loan it will be difficult to pick a team. Too many are playing too much and need a rest but there is not the cover due to soo many out injured.

I think there could be as many as 8 changes from yesterday and I just do not think we have a chance. If we had Burnley on Saturday maybe it would be different but we cannot put a knackered team out against Chelsea. It will be a hard watch but under the circumstances including having finally won a trophy I think resting most of yesterday’s team is justified.’

‘Tel, Odobery, Xavi and Gray combined have muscle mass of Guimares.

If they’d play Guimares-Joelington in middle, they could just pass between themselves in center circle with mentioned 4 being brushed off like they werent there ‘

‘This is really tough challenge for Frank.

Newcastle is likely the most physical team in England right now. Lot of tall and strong players in their ranks.’

‘League cup is sh..

Play the kids and forget about it.

They should scrap it.’

‘Only us and Portugal got 2 knockout comps. Only get conference league now if you win it.

It is, in fact, harder to win than the Europa. If we can possibly get past Newcastle(might have to be pens)

There could be 3 lower div clubs in the quarters. Who knows after that.’

‘It’s a real bugbear of mine that Newcastle are allowed to ignore the ruling of not having away fans pitch side. Not as if they can’t afford to make the adjustments.

Another example of how well we treat away fans at WHL.’

‘I like the league cup., always have. I want to have that feeling of winning a trophy again like we did in may.

We have two chances of winning a trophy. This one and the fa cup. I’d go as strong as we possibly can.’

‘Nah mate. You’re showing yourself up as an old school geriatric.

Entering cups is f…ing pointless. Trying to win them even more so.

Best to finish 4th and get in the CL occasionally.

Maybe get through to the last 16. Its the taking part that counts.

That’s what football’s really about.’