Jamie O’Hara has picked four Newcastle United players in a combined Tottenham Hotspur line-up. A challenging trip to North London is Eddie Howe’s next challenge as Toon boss, with April’s 5-1 defeat still fresh in the memory.
Fabian Schar put Newcastle in front that day but a second-half capitulation saw Spurs run riot on home soil. On paper, this weekend poses the Magpies’ trickiest test so far in 2022-23 as Antonio Conte has Tottenham third in the Premier League and boasting a 100% home record.
Ahead of the clash, former Spurs midfielder O’Hara has discussed which Newcastle players would get into Conte’s side. Interestingly, there was no mention of Toon talisman Bruno Guimaraes - arguably United’s most influential player - but Joelinton, Kieran Trippier, Joe Willock and Allan Saint-Maximin made the cut.
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“I mean, Saint-Maximin, whenever I watch him play I think he’s frightening,” O’Hara told talkSPORT. “He picks up injuries though, which holds him back a little bit in terms of being one of the best players in the league. But what a player when he's fit.”
“I love (Matt) Doherty, he’s one of my mates, but I think he’d say himself that he’s not anywhere near Trippier’s level. He’s been a top player now for a long period of time. Dan Burn, I really like him - I played with him at Fulham. He can play left-back or wing-back too.
“(Rodrigo) Bentancur… Willock is ok, he’s a good player… but he drifts in and out of games. Bentancur is a top player. Oh, why have you put Joelinton in midfield? Because Hojbjerg has to be in there but I love Joelinton. Bin off Willock and bin off Bentancur. Give me Joelinton and Hojbjerg then you’ve got a top midfield.”
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