Darren Bent names the one asset Spurs really missed against Newcastle

Darren Bent believes Tottenham Hotspur desperately missed Micky van de Ven and his pace during their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.

Micky Van de Ven missed Newcastle clash

Van de Ven was expected to be fit to make the trip to St James’ Park but the centre-back was ruled out at the last moment, with reports indicating that Ange Postecoglou chose not to risk the Dutchman even though he did train prior to the game (The Standard).

The game followed what has been an all too familiar pattern for the Lilywhites in the Postecoglou era, with the away side dominating proceedings and fashioning several opportunities, only to fluff their lines.

They were predictably made to pay by the Magpies, with goals from Harvey Barnes and Alexander Isak in either half ensuring that Tottenham went home empty-handed.

Spurs missed Van de Ven’s pace

Bent believes that if Tottenham had the security of Van de Ven’s recovery pace, they could have squeezed higher up the pitch and really suffocated Eddie Howe’s men.

The former Spurs striker told talkSPORT (02/09/24): “They missed Van de Ven massively. There was one situation where Isak thought he got through and Dragusin came back and caught him.

“But I just think Van de Ven, he just gives you that pace, they can squeeze up and cover behind because they are playing so high. You need that pace.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Perhaps one can make the case that Tottenham might not have conceded the second goal had Van de Ven played. However, we still squeezed high up the pitch and played most of our football in the Newcastle half.

It is the lack of ruthlessness in the final third that let us down on Sunday and the former Wolfsburg man would not have solved that issue.

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