Spurs under 23’s versus Manchester United: (match preview)

Date: Friday 25 August, kick off: 7pm
Venue: The Lamex stadium
Head2Heads: 3-2 Man united, 1-1.

Our under 23’s are in action again tomorrow evening, as Wayne Burnett’s side go in search of their first points of the PL2 season, with a home game against Manchester United in Stevenage. Ricky Sbragia’s side are the visitors for our first game at the stadium of this campaign. Burnett’s side come in to this game on the back of a bitterly disappointing 3-2 defeat to West Ham earlier in the week, but they have the chance to make amends in front of a fairly big Spurs crowd. When both these teams met last season, the two games were incredibly closely thought affairs. And I’m expecting more of the same when Spurs go toe to toe with the Red Devil’s on Friday evening. Sbragia’s side have started the season well, with a 1-0 victory over Leicester and a 1-1 draw with Swansea on Monday. Scott Mctominay, former Brentford forward Joshua Bohui and centre half Axel Tuanzebe are all standout players, if involved. As always I will be in attendance for tomorrows game, and shall be providing an in depth match report, here’s hoping for our first win of the campaign. COYS

Team news: I’m purely guessing when I put new signing Paulo Gazzaniga in my predicted starting 11, I just wouldn’t be surprised to see the 25 year old get a half or so, so as to build up his match fitness. I’ve no idea whether centre half Christian Maghoma, Shayon Harrison or Luke Amos will return from injury. However, I’d be surprised to see the injured George Marsh or Nick Tsaroulla feature. It will be intriguing to see whether goalkeeper Luke O’Reily (on trial) will feature on the bench again.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Gazzaniga, Eyoma, Maghoma, Tanganga, Brown, Duncan, Skipp, Shashoua, Pritchard (C), Edwards, Sterling.

My score prediction: 2-1 to Spurs.

One to watch: Young united forward and former Brentford academy player, Joshua Bohui.

Spurs under 23’s versus West Ham United: (match preview)

Wayne Burnett’s development side play their first home game of the PL2 season later today when they host London rivals West Ham at the training centre (kick off:12pm). After a positive 2-2 draw with Luton town in the Checkatrade trophy in midweek, I’m expecting Burnett to make a few alterations to that side for tomorrows game. This could see Luke Amos and Shayon Harrison return from injury, whilst it could also mean game time for Georgiou and Carter-Vickers considering its at the training centre. It will be a stern test for the lads as they come up against Terry Westley’s side which includes players such as skilful Norwegian forward Martin Samuelsen and promising striker Toni Martinez. Though I’m expecting a tough game for the youngsters in what will be an interesting match, I’m optimistic for our chances of registering our first win of the season. Both 18 year olds Japhet Tanganga and Jack Roles have been linked to loans with league 2 club Exeter, it will be interesting to see if either feature tomorrow. As always, I will be in attendance for tomorrows game and will be providing an in depth match report. COYS

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Whiteman, Eyoma, Maghoma, Carter-Vickers, Bennetts, Skipp, Amos(C), Shashoua, Harrison, Georgiou, Sterling.

My score prediction: 3-1 to Spurs.

One to watch: The hammers young forward and former Valencia player, Toni Martinez.

Spurs under 21’s versus Luton Town: (match preview)

“We’ve watched them two or three times. I watched them against Cambridge in pre-season and had them covered at Sunderland the other day, so we’ll know how they play. I know Wayne Burnett very well, Justin Cochrane also – I played with Justin – so it’ll be a good game.” (Luton manager – Nathan Jones)

Date: Tuesday 15 August, kick off: 7:45pm
Referee: Craig Hicks
Live: Follow @SpursOfficial Twitter feed for live updates.

There’s little time for Wayne Burnetts development squad to rest following their season opener away to Sunderland on Friday night, a Spurs under 21 side will make history tomorrow. When they become the first ever Spurs side to compete in this seasons Checkatrade trophy, with Spurs starting one of three group games with the visit of Luton towns Kenilworth road stadium. Burnett who has already spoken of his desire for Spurs to win the competition, must field a side that includes six players who were under the age of 21 on the 30th June 2017. Though it will be a youthful Spurs side, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a player over the age of 21 feature, possibly even a surprise first teamer, (Winks?). The last time the hatters faced Spurs’ senior side was back in the old first division in 1992, at Kenilworth road. Tuesday nights game will be very different, and I really feel that this competition will be very important for the Spurs youngsters over the coming season, it gives them an invaluable opportunity to come up against football league sides. Whilst Luton towns striker Danny Hylton will be the one to watch, it would also be interesting to see young midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson feature. Bakinson was linked with us a couple of seasons ago, it’ll also be interesting to see how strong Luton boss Nathan Jones goes against our side, Luton had people covering our PL2 game up in county Durham on Friday night. I will be reporting on the game, and as always I will be providing an in depth match report. COYS

Team news: The more experienced duo of striker Shayon Harrison and midfielder Luke Amos will miss the match through injury. Though the starting eleven could include a couple of more experienced players than usual. With centre half Cameron Carter-Vickers and winger Anthony Georgiou the most likely candidates.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Whiteman, Eyoma, Maghoma, (c) Carter-Vickers, Bennetts, Pritchard, Duncan, Shashoua, Edwards, Georgiou, Sterling.

My predicted scoreline: 3-2 to Spurs.

One to watch: The hatters top striker in league 2 last season with 21 goals, striker Danny Hylton could play his first game of the season after returning from injury.

Spurs versus Norwich under 18’s: (match preview)

Our under 18’s kick off their under 18 league campaign on Saturday lunchtime, with new boss Scott Parker and his players preparing for the visit of Norwich at hotspur way. Parker who hung up his playing boots at the end of last season, takes his first step into coaching with this exciting new role at Spurs. Parker’s side which includes 16 new first year scholars for the coming season, faces the young canaries in the first game of their under 18 league campaign. This new look under 18 side has some really talented players in its ranks which you can read about in my recent article: https://superhotspur.com/2017/07/18/a-preview-of-spurs-new-academy-intake-for-the-201718-season/
Along with the noted Adam Idah this talented canaries team also includes former Spurs youth Anis Mehmeti who plays as a winger. Sure to be a challenging opening day opposition, it will be intriguing to see how Parker’s lads get on. I won’t be reporting on tomorrows game (kick off: 12pm) as I will be reporting on our under 23’s encounter with Sunderland this evening. However, Spurs fans can follow the game via updates provided on the official Spurs twitter account. I’ve done a team prediction which is by all accounts a wild guess, whilst I’d expect second year scholars Jon Dinzeyi and Tashan Oakley-Boothe to play tomorrow, it’s impossible to know until the team sheet for this evenings under 23 game is announced. COYS

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Freeman, Hinds, Statham, Dinzeyi, Lock, Maghoma, (C)Oakley-Boothe, Clark, Patterson, Pochettino, Griffiths.

One to watch: Norwich forward and Irish youth international Adam Idah, Idah is a player who I’ve watched play on a couple of occasions for Ireland’s under 17 side over the past few seasons. A pacy and skilful forward, he will provide our defence with a real goal threat, a really exciting prospect and a recent addition to the canaries from Irish club College Corinthians AFC.

Spurs versus Sunderland under 23’s: (match preview)

“I’m buzzing at the moment, I’m looking forward to the start of the season a lot! All the boys are ready for it. We did well in France and now we’re very excited to start. We’ll be doing everything we can to get our first win on Friday.” (Shilow Tracey)

Our under 23’s play their first competitive game of the season on Friday night. When Wayne Burnett’s side travel to County Durham to face Sunderland under 23’s in what is their first PL2 game of the season. The game which is taking place at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare ground, will be a game that I am pleased to announce that I will be reporting on. Fridays game comes at a good time for Wayne Burnett’s side, they’ve enjoyed a successful pre season which saw them crowned winners of the annual European under 21 tournament in France. Along with the cup success, they also recorded a highly impressive victory over league two side Cambridge United at the U’s home ground. Elliot Dickman’s side will be a tough opening day opposition for Spurs, players such as Rees Greenwood, Lynden Gooch, and Joel Asoro all potential players Burnett’s side could come up against. We enjoyed two fiercely competitive games against the black cats last season, a brace from Shilow Tracey secured a 2-2 draw up in County Durham. Before the reverse fixture saw us win 1-0 at the Lamex stadium in a hard fought match, Kazaiah Sterling got the winner that day. The town where the game will be taking place (Hetton Le Hole) has a rich footballing history, with it being the birthplace of both former Spurs man Ralph Coates, and legendary former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the lads get on against Sunderland tomorrow, I will be writing an in depth match report of the game. COYS

Team news: 18 year olds George Marsh and Nick Tsaroulla haven’t been involved in any of the official pre season games with Burnett’s side (presumably through injury) so I wouldn’t expect them to be involved in tomorrow evenings game. It’s been over two weeks since forward Cy Goddard (20) was pictured training with Japanese side Yokohama F Marinos, and I am still none the wiser as to whether he has departed the lilywhites for the J league club, I would be surprised to see him involved against Sunderland. Kyle Walker-Peters is expected to be involved in Pochettino’s senior squad against Newcastle on Sunday so I doubt he will be involved, another player who could travel to Newcastle is winger Anthony Georgiou. In addition goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman will also likely travel to Newcastle with the senior squad as the number three goalkeeper. With the under 18’s playing their first game of the season against Norwich on Saturday, I’d expect players such as Oliver Skipp, Tashan Oakley-Boothe and Tariq Hinds to stay behind for that game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Austin, Eyoma, Maghoma, Tanganga, Bennetts, (C)Amos, Pritchard, Tracey, Miller, Edwards, Harrison.

My score prediction: 2-1 to Spurs courtesy of goals from Edwards and Harrison.

One to watch: Sunderland’s 18 year old forward and Swedish under 21 international who is one of Sunderland’s brightest youth prospects. Maja who has already featured for Sunderland’s senior team, joined the north east club from Swedish side Brommapojkarna back in 2015. The striker who scored six goals for Sunderland’s development squad last season, was really impressive when I saw him in action against Spurs at the Lamex stadium last term.