Tottenham vs Newcastle: High stakes Premier League clash to decide Frank and Howe’s futures?
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
An EPL fixture that could change two managerial careers
Tottenham Hotspur enter this week’s Premier League match in a terrible run of form that has seen them win just two of their last 16 top-flight matches, leaving them languishing in 15th place in the league standings, just six points above the dotted line.
Manager Thomas Frank openly acknowledged his team’s difficulties, saying they are “desperate” to break their current slump and reclaim momentum after suffering a 2-0 defeat against a red-hot Manchester United on Matchday 25, which confirmed our Premier League predictions.
The team’s poor form this season has fueled speculation that Spurs could be one game away from parting ways with the Danish tactician. Several pundits and fans have also been calling for Frank to be axed, with many suggesting that he is out of his depth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
While the Lilywhites are excelling in the Champions League, their domestic form has been in stark contrast to their performance in Europe. Adding to Frank’s difficulties, he will now have to make do without his skipper, Cristian Romero, who was sent off against the Red Devils over the weekend.
In the opposite dugout, things aren’t much better for Eddie Howe, as he and his side were booed off the pitch at St. James’ Park on Saturday after losing to Brentford 3-2, their third EPL loss in succession following defeats to Aston Villa and Liverpool.
The Geordies are now in 12th place in the league standings with 33 points, already 11 points behind the top four. Newcastle were also the only Premier League side to fail to secure their spot in the Round of 16 in the UCL, finishing the League Phase in 12th place.
Howe was candid about his position in his pre-match press conference, declaring that he would “step aside if he felt he was no longer the right man to lead the club”. However, while the 48-year-old may insist he is the right person, the mere fact of such an admission highlights the level of scrutiny he is under.
Solanke vs Guimaraes: Key players to watch
A major contributing factor to Tottenham’s slump this season has been their laundry list of injury absentees, with the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Richarlison, Lucas Bergvall and Pedro Porro all missing large chunks of the season.
Indeed, each of those players carries solid creativity and attacking threat, particularly Kulusevski and Porro, who were two standout performers for the Lilywhites last season. However, one player that Frank can look to is Dominic Solanke.
The striker returned to action last month after months on the sidelines with an ankle injury, and he has been about the only bright spark for the team of late. After netting in the Champions League against Dortmund and Frankfurt, Solanke delivered a stunning brace to deny Man City a victory on MD24.
The 28-year-old has now scored nine goals in his last 13 home league games since arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and now faces one of his favoured opponents, having scored four goals in his last three matches against the Magpies.
Newcastle have also had their share of injury setbacks this term, though theirs have been more in defence, with Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth and Lewis Miley all currently ruled out, while Jamaal Lascelles has now moved on to Leicester City.
In attack, big-money signing Yoanne Wissa has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to justify his hefty pricetag, and some would argue that his return to fitness has hindered Nick Woltemade’s performances after a strong start to the season.
However, the biggest positive for Howe recently was the return of Bruno Guimaraes over the weekend, and while the Magpies were left empty-handed against the Bees, the Brazilian’s performance stood head-and-shoulders above any of his teammates.
Guimaraes created a match-high three chances, recorded 12 passes into the final third and calmly slotted away a spot-kick to give his side hope in the latter stages. The skipper now leads the team in goals (9) and assists (4) in the Premier League this season.
