Conte's team and those missing out
Returning to training at Hotspur Way last Monday, those not involved in World Cup action got some vital minutes in the tank on Friday afternoon when Tottenham hosted Motherwell at their Enfield training base. Still able to field a strong XI with the likes of Davinson Sanchez, Yves Bissouma and Dejan Kulusevski all present, a host of players were given some valuable playing time against the Scottish side.
Djed Spence, Japhet Tanganga, Harvey White, Oliver Skipp and Bryan Gil were all named in Antonio Conte's starting XI and it was a huge opportunity for the quintet to impress the boss. There was also a big chance for youngster Charlie Sayers to show what he could do as he slotted into the left of a back three after impressing those at the club since his move from Southend United one year ago.
A glance at the teamsheet for the Motherwell game did also highlight that a number of the first-team squad missed out completely for the friendly encounter. Second-choice goalkeeper Fraser Forster was not included in the 23-man squad, with defenders Emerson Royal and Clement Lenglet absent despite returning to training over a week ago.
READ MORE: Tottenham player ratings vs Motherwell: Doherty double, Kulusevski great as Spence and Gil shine
Ryan Sessegnon was also missing, although that was perhaps not as much of a surprise as the left wing-back did sustain an injury in the Carabao Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest which resulted in him watching on from the sidelines in the 4-3 win over Leeds United a few days later. Lucas Moura, who recently admitted that he has been playing through the pain of a heel injury, was another not to be selected.
football.london understands that Sessegnon is back working on grass but not with the group just yet, with the match just coming a bit too soon for him as a result. The other four players are believed to have suffered minor knocks in training in recent days so their absence from the squad is precautionary.
Perhaps not ideal news for Conte with his players needing some match action ahead of their Boxing Day encounter at Brentford, it did allow a host of the club's academy stars to take their place on the substitutes' bench. Alfie Devine, Maksim Paskotsi, Nile John and Jamie Donley were four of the 12 substitutes, with all eyes on summer addition Will Lankshear after his hat-trick for the Under-18s in their 4-3 defeat at West Ham last Saturday.
Bissouma free-kick attempt
Taking the lead after only two minutes with Kulusevski calmly finding the net after pouncing on a defensive mistake, Tottenham had a golden opportunity to make it two a few minutes later. Awarded a free-kick to the left of centre just a few yards outside the box, Bissouma took charge of the situation and looked to test Liam Kelly in the Motherwell goal.
That's not how things transpired, though. Bissouma's effort cleared the wall with ease, but it then also cleared the high fence behind the goal with the Mali international getting way too much height on his shot.
Needing someone to take free-kicks with Tottenham not having much luck at all with direct attempts in recent seasons, Bissouma probably won't be standing over the ball next time the team get one in a Premier League match.
Combinations Conte wants
In order for Conte's Tottenham system to really flourish and trouble opponents, he needs both his wing-backs to be on song. One aspect he demands from the two selected is for one to be attacking the back post when the other is in possession on the opposite flank and looking to put the ball in.
Working to perfection when he had Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso at Chelsea, that hasn't always been the case at Tottenham. Spence and Matt Doherty did meet his demand in the behind-closed-doors friendly vs Motherwell, however.
The duo always looked to attack throughout, with Spence in particular seeing plenty of the ball and looking extremely bright. On one occasion midway inside the first half the ex-Nottingham Forest man couldn't guide his header towards goal after attacking the box when Doherty put in an inviting ball.
The Republic of Ireland international managed to get his name on the scoresheet not long after as he made a run into the box, received the ball from Bryan and cut inside onto his right foot to find the bottom corner. Doherty continued to push on after the break and even added a rare header to his collection as he converted Kulusevski's corner with a lovely header.
White's different position
Friday's match against Motherwell was certainly welcomed by White after very little game time this campaign. A permanent fixture in first-team training and named on the bench a number of times, the midfielder's only football has come in Premier League 2.
He was given the opportunity to catch the eye against the Steelmen and he lined up in a rather different position. Without an out-and-out striker with both Harry Kane and Richarlison at the World Cup, the midfielder started in a front three with Kulusevski and Bryan and took on the false nine role.
Very advanced at times as Spurs looked to push on and score, he also dropped slightly deeper on occasions to link up with the midfielders and then in turn his fellow attackers. The youngster showed a number of classy touches, notably his first-time pass on the turn to release Kulusevski which led to the team's third of the afternoon.
Chances came his way after the break when he pushed on as he tested the Motherwell goalkeeper and then shot wide with his weaker right foot. He will be hoping more minutes come his way prior to Christmas when they face Nice in north London.
Minutes in the tank
Conte and his coaching staff can be extremely pleased with how things panned out in the comfortable win over Motherwell. Last in action four weeks ago when they defeated Leeds United in N17, the behind-closed-doors game gave the players the chance to get some much-needed minutes in the legs ahead of the return of Premier League football later this month.
Similar to a pre-season game in terms of the head coach making a host of changes at once, it wasn't until the 75th minute when he made wholesale alterations. Alfie Whiteman had earlier replaced Brandon Austin in goal not long after half-time, with the only other change seeing Romaine Mundle come on for Sayers 10 minutes before the nine academy players were introduced.
With one more friendly on the agenda ahead of the trip to Brentford, Conte really did need to give his first-team squad a long work out after so long without playing. That's exactly what they got and they made the most of the opportunity.
It may be very much the same when they host Nice on Wednesday, December 21, although the numbers will likely be boosted with some of the World Cup players involved and the five first-team players who missed out in the big win over Motherwell.
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