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How Newcastle can beat Spurs

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Maybe it’s just because it’s been over two weeks since I last had ‘ Bruceball’ inflicted on me but I genuinely think Newcastle have a chance of getting something against Tottenham Hotspur.

For starters, the visitors aren’t exactly in the best run of form themselves. They may have won last time out at Villa Park but previous to that they were shocked by Dinamo Zagreb who came from two behind in the tie to knock Spurs out of the UEFA Europa League.

And the game before that they also led but went on to lose the North London derby courtesy of an Alexandre Lacazette penalty.

Ok so that isn’t quite two wins from 20 games bad but the point stands, Spurs can be beaten.

The worst thing we could possibly do (and what we are most likely to do) is show Spurs far too much respect and sit back in a defensive structure. We have seen it time and time again when up against the so called top six sides and we seem to lose the game before a ball has even been kicked.

We need to be aggressive, press them high up the pitch. Miguel Almiron being back from injury is great for this as his energy and tenacity is vital for trying to get on the front foot.

We may not have a lot of the ball but we at last need to be proactive without it. We need to take more risks and get our flare players into the game more often.

Don’t give them a moment on the ball unchallenged. With the quality of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and co, they will tear us apart with ease given the chance.

On the point of pressing them high and being energetic, it is so important who Bruce chooses to be in the centre of midfield. Jeff Hedrick and Jonjo Shelvey are not the right men for a role in the side and it is time to bring the Longstaff brothers out from the cold.

It seems like Bruce will be boosted by the availability of Allan Saint-Maximin and he has the skills in his locker to trouble any defender in the division.

Spurs have had injury problems to their left backs and even though Sergio Reguillon looks more and more likely to feature, on the chance he’s not 100% fit we have to target him at every opportunity.

Finally, something that you would think was obvious. It’s imperative that we play a striker. Unfortunately Wilson looks set to miss out but get Gayle involved.

Gayle is reportedly close to sealing a new deal at St. James’ Park and will be eager to show what he has in his locker. Don’t stick him out wide as a ‘split striker’ a ‘false 10’ or any other nonsense role that Bruce has dreamt up, play him through the middle and get him playing on the shoulder of the last man.

If Newcastle treat this as a game that they think they have a chance of winning, there is no reason why we can’t at least give a good account of ourselves. As a fanbase we need some hope from somewhere and it’s now down to the playing staff to deliver.

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