The Opposition Opinion: Spurs (A) – “Sissoko is a great athlete but a terrible footballer”

The Opposition Opinion is back for another week ahead of our trip to face Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham side in North London.

This week we caught up with @ASpursPodcast in the build up to Sunday’s 2pm kick off.

Here’s what he had to say in response to our pre-match questions:

Q1 – To start off, what short of shape do you feel Spurs are in coming into this one?

“It’s been a very uncharacteristic window for Spurs.
“We have actually gone out and spent on proven winners and experience. Years gone by its always been potential only.
“We started the season poorly with a defeat at home to an impressive Everton but have bounced back with 3 wins on the bounce in all competitions.”
“The mood in the most part is fantastic, mainly done to the arrival of Gareth Bale.“

Q2 – Give us your three star players, a few ‘ones to watch’ and your weak links..

“Kane, Son and Lo Celso are our three star men
“We could obviously add Bale to that but not 100% sure he will take any part in the game.
“Son on the counter attack is devastating and our one to watch.
“The weakness is our back 4. It can be got at easily.”
“Doherty is more of a RWB so if we play 4 at the back then there is space to exploit him.
“Sanchez and Dier have a mistake in them every game so if you pressure them there will be joy for your forwards there.”

Q3 – As a team, what are the strengths and weaknesses of this Spurs side under Jose Mourinho?

“Our strengths are with our doubt our ability to counter attack at pace and lethal finishing.
“The weakness is sometimes we concede possession to our opponents for long spells.”

Q4 – What’s the Tottenham starting XI and formation Mourinho is likely to go with on Sunday?

“Tough to say as we have 4 games in 7 days this week….. Probably a 433 like this….
Lloris
Doherty – Alderweireld – Dier – Reguilon
Winks – Hojbjerg – Lo Celso
Moura – Kane – Son

Q5 – What do you make of this Newcastle side and which players do you see as the strengths and weaknesses in our team?

“I see Newcastle as a very well organised unit.
“Not a lot of creativity but a well drilled team.
“The strengths will be your new look forward line and Shelvey with his passes through the channels.
“Also, if you can get Wilson to bully our centre halves he will have a lot of joy.
“Your weakness will be the immobility of your midfield.”

Q6 – What sort of game do you think it’ll be and how do you see it panning out? Give us a prediction..

“I think we will have to much for you and I reckon a 3-1 win.
“We always allow chances to the opposition.
“I think the first half will be cagey and then we will play better second half like we always do.”

Q7 – Where do you see our two sides finishing in the 2020/21 table and why?

“As things stand I reckon spurs will finish 5th or 6th, however if we get in a new CB and a striker then we will make top 4.
Newcastle I can see 10th to 14th. A decent squad but I’m not sure you have the players to compete with the top 10.“

Q8 – Hypothetical of course, but if you could sign any one player from NUFC, who would you like to see Mourinho go for?

“Good question…. I would say Shelvey purely for his passing ability.
“If not then Lascelles as he looks a very good centre back.”

Q9 – Moussa Sissoko and Danny Rose are two former Mags that had frustrating spells on Tyneside. Sissoko left on bad terms and Rose seemed like a good coup but looked out of sorts during his loan spell. What are your thoughts on both?

“For me both are surplus to requirements.
“Rose is a controversial figure in the changing room and is very outspoken.
“He is not the player he once was.
“Sissoko is a great athlete but a terrible footballer.
“He divides opinions at Spurs, but for me he simply isn’t good enough.”

Q10 – We’ll be shopping in the loan market in the final week of the transfer window. Are there any players you could move out on a temporary basis that could appeal to Steve Bruce?