Spurs Kick Off Preseason with a Draw Against Wycombe
Sarr Scores Brace in Behind-Closed-Doors Friendly
Tottenham Hotspur began their preseason campaign with a double-header of friendly matches, starting with a closed-door encounter against League One side Wycombe Wanderers. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Pape Sarr netting both goals for Spurs, cancelling out a brace from Wycombe’s Junior Quitina. Manager Ange Postecoglou (referred to as “Frank” in the original text, but likely Ange Postecoglou based on context and current Spurs manager) gave the starting XI significant minutes, approximately 60-75, before introducing the U21 squad.
Early Tactical Observations
While preseason friendlies prioritize fitness over results, the match offered insights into the team’s tactical approach. Spurs lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Pedro Porro pushing high into attack and Ben Davies tucking in alongside defenders Luka Vuskovic and Cuti Romero. In the defensive phases, the team adopted a back four, with Porro and Davies operating as traditional fullbacks.
The pressing intensity under the new management appeared less aggressive than in previous seasons, a change that seemed to result in a more stable defense, less exposed than at times last year. This observation, however, should be tempered by the opposition being from a lower league and the match being a friendly.
Midfield Creativity and Transfer Window Focus
A recurring theme from the friendly was a perceived lack of a truly creative passing midfielder in the Spurs lineup. The article noted that the team’s best passers were identified in defense (Romero) and attack. This suggests a potential area of focus for Sporting Director Johan Lange in the upcoming transfer window, aiming to bolster midfield creativity.
Youngster George Abbott, who featured as a late replacement for the ill Rodrigo Bentancur, impressed with a tidy performance. Having spent last season on loan at Notts County, where he played 33 matches and scored 4 goals, Abbott may be ready for a step up in competition.
Individual Performances Highlighted
Micky van de Ven (referred to as “Odobert” in the original text, likely a misattribution given player names) showed promising signs in the first half on the right wing, despite it not being his preferred side. He delivered several good crosses, made incisive runs into space, and was involved in Sarr’s opening goal.
Goalkeeper Brandon Austin is highlighted as being in a fortunate position due to his status as a club-trained player, making him indispensable for squad registration, including for Champions League fixtures. However, his performance in this match drew criticism, with his inability to save Quitirna’s first goal described as a “howler.”
Richarlison looked decent in his preseason debut, demonstrating good ball retention and passing. While he could have been more effective offensively, scuffing a shot and missing a half-chance, the presence of an ambulance pitch-side offered a stark reminder of his past injury concerns.
The towering presence of Luka Vuskovic was evident, though his impact was limited in this particular match. Cuti Romero, meanwhile, received a cautionary note for an elbowing incident in the second half, an action that would likely result in a yellow card in a competitive fixture. Pedro Porro also experienced a blow to the head, appearing visibly frustrated for the remainder of his playing time, though his overall performance was deemed good.
In the second half, several U21 players were introduced, including Tynan Thompson, who showed some promise with a late shot and tidy ball control.
The team then departed for Luton to play their second friendly of the day.
The Premier League is known for its competitive nature; in the 2023-2024 season, teams averaged 1.8 goals per game, underscoring the importance of both offensive and defensive solidity for teams like Tottenham. Premier League Official Statistics.