Japhet Tanganga got some much-needed minutes under his belt on Friday afternoon when Tottenham returned to the pitch for the first time in four weeks. Hosting Scottish side Motherwell in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Hotspur Way, Antonio Conte's men ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.
The match gave all those present the opportunity to blow off the cobwebs and the head coach ensured that his first-team stars got 75 minutes in the tank. Whereas in pre-season it is usually a case of building up fitness and usually playing a half of football each, this time it was about topping up the levels and the players making the most of it with only two friendlies on the calendar before Premier League action resumes.
Eyes were unsurprisingly on Djed Spence, Yves Bissouma, Dejan Kulusevski and Oliver Skipp, but it was also a vital opportunity for Tanganga and one he had to take with both hands. Playing only 17 minutes of action so far in 2022/23, the former England Under-21 international has perhaps become the forgotten man of Conte's Tottenham squad.
