Inside Futbol

Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Danny Murphy thinks Tottenham Hotspur attacker Brennan Johnson needs to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to the defensive side of his game.

A blot on an otherwise perfect night for Tottenham against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, as Spurs won 4-0 on home turf, was the winger’s red card in the 57th minute.

He was guilty of a late tackle on a Copenhagen player and was shown a straight red card for having used his studs.

Murphy feels that the 24-year-old was a little bit unlucky to be dismissed in the game, but admits he has been concerned about more reactive than proactive defensive work from Johnson.

The former Tottenham star is keen not to label Johnson as lazy, but wants to see him address the defensive side of his game.

“I think he was a bit of unlucky with the sending off, if I am honest”, Murphy said on talkSPORT (4th November, 22:09).

“But I did talk about his reactionary defensive work too often in games I have seen.

Club Years Nottingham Forest 2019-2023 Lincoln City (loan) 2020-2021 Tottenham Hotspur 2023- Brennan Johnson’s career history

“He is not lazy but a lot of his defensive work is reacting to stuff rather than being proactive, so he finds himself chasing people a lot and really struggling to get back into situations, so he is diving in and lunging in.

“It is something he needs to work on.”

The focus of the Tottenham coaching staff is likely to be more on what Johnson adds going forward than defensively, but Thomas Frank is sure to want to see the 24-year-old improve his defensive work.

Ange Postecoglou stressed during his time in charge of Tottenham that he felt Johnson had a lot of growth left in him as a player.

Johnson has scored four goals so far for Tottenham this season, having featured in 16 games, and will be looking to add to that number in the coming weeks.

Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Randal Kolo Muani ‘could be a player’ for Tottenham Hotspur, former Spurs star Danny Murphy feels, after he watched the on loan striker in action against FC Copenhagen.

Tottenham managed to beat off competition from other clubs, including Juventus, to sign Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain on loan in the summer.

Kolo Muani was bright on Tuesday night against Copenhagen and though he was not able to add to the scoresheet, he contributed towards Wilson Odobert’s second goal as Tottenham beat the visitors 4-0 to make progress in the Champions League.

Murphy, who saw Kolo Muani at close quarters on the night, was impressed with the striker and insisted that some missed chances were not a true reflection of him, explaining Tottenham may have a player.

“You see a couple of really poor misses from Muani and that doesn’t do his performance justice”, Murphy said on talkSPORT (5th November, 22:06).

“He could be a player for Tottenham.”

Tottenham currently have their main striker, Dominic Solanke, out through injury, which has been causing problems for them in the forward areas.

With Kolo Muani stepping up, Murphy feels that their issues in attack could soon be solved.

Game Competition Manchester United (H) Premier League Arsenal (A) Premier League Paris Saint-Germain (A) Champions League Next three Tottenham Hotspur fixtures

“I know they have got some problems up-front at the minute, but he is getting fitter and stronger and he was an absolute handful.

“He looks a decent player.”

While Kolo Muani is showing glimpses of being able to make a real impact for Tottenham this season, there has been renewed focus on another summer signing in the shape of Xavi Simons.

One former Netherlands star recently suggested that Simons runs too much with the ball and is easily dispossessed.

Lewis Storey/Getty Images

Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs FC Copenhagen

Competition: Champions League

Kick-off: 20:00 UK time

Thomas Frank has selected his Tottenham lineup to welcome Danish side FC Copenhagen to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Champions League this evening.

Spurs were beaten by rivals Chelsea in the Premier League at the weekend and put in a poor performance in front of their fans.

They have now lost back to back games, also exiting the EFL Cup away at Newcastle United with a meek display.

Frank will know how important getting back on track tonight will be, especially as Manchester United are Spurs’ next league opponents at the weekend.

Tottenham do start as firm favourites to see off Copenhagen, who were thrashed 4-2 at home by Borussia Dortmund in their last Champions League outing.

The Danes have lost two and drawn one of their three Champions League league phases clashes so far, including a 2-0 defeat on the road at Qarabag.

In goal for Tottenham this evening is Guglielmo Vicario, while at the back Frank goes with Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie.

In midfield tonight for Spurs is Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr, while Xavi Simons will look to create for Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson and Randal Kolo Muani.

If Frank needs to try to influence the game from the bench or replace tired legs then he has options to turn to and they include Richarlison and Djed Spence.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs FC Copenhagen

Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Sarr, Simons, Odobert, Johnson, Kolo Muani

Substitutes: Kinsky, Austin, Danso, Palhinha, Richarlison, Spence, Scarlett, Kyerematen, Akhamrich, Rowswell

Lewis Storey/Getty Images

Former Netherlands winger Rene van der Gijp thinks that Tottenham Hotspur new boy Xavi Simons just runs with the ball too much.

The north London club looked at signing a quality creative force in the summer transfer window, as the likes of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are out injured.

England international Eberechi Eze was their first choice, but he decided to go to their arch-rivals Arsenal, and quickly after that move, Spurs went for Simons, who was at RB Leipzig.

Tottenham paid a hefty £51.8m for the 22-year-old Dutchman, who spent time at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in his youth days.

Simons started at Spurs with an assist against West Ham United in September, but since then, he is yet to contribute to any goals in all competitions.

Ex-Dutch winger Van der Gijp thinks that the clear issue with Simons is that he is running with the ball too much during games.

Van der Gijp believes Premier League defenders have worked out they can easily pick his pocket when he is running with the ball.

Club Paris Saint-Germain PSV Eindhoven RB Leipzig Tottenham Hotspur Clubs Xavi Simons has played for

“He just runs too much with the ball”, the 64-year-old was quoted as saying by Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur.

“Opponents have said, as soon as he starts running with the ball, just run into him. Done.”

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank admitted recently that even though Simons is adapting quickly to life in the Premier League, he will need to up his intensity.

Frank’s side were beaten at home by Chelsea at the weekend and Simons came on as an early substitute, then himself being replaced later in the game by Wilson Odobert.

Tottenham will need Simons to step up in the coming weeks as they bid to make sure they stay near the top of the Premier League table.

Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Fixture: Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: EFL Cup

Kick-off: 20:00 UK time

Tottenham Hotspur have officially named their starting lineup and substitutes to take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park in the EFL Cup tonight.

Spurs did win a trophy last term, in the shape of the Europa League, but with that off the table, many will feel a domestic cup would be their best bet to win silverware in back to back seasons.

Boss Thomas Frank insisted at the weekend that he does not see Tottenham as title challengers, something which backs up the importance of the domestic cups.

Progressing in the EFL Cup though will be a tough task, with Newcastle away a difficult assignment for Frank and his men.

That is something that Spurs defender Micky van de Ven appreciates and he has pulled no punches on how tough tonight will be. – Van de Ven is on the bench this evening.

Tottenham head into tonight’s game on the back of a comfortable 3-0 win away at Everton in the Premier League at the weekend.

Between the sticks for Spurs tonight is Antonin Kinsky, while Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Joao Palhinha and Djed Spence form the back four.

Whoever wins the midfield battle will have one foot in the next round and Tottenham go with Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur to give them the edge, while Brennan Johnson, Xavi Simons and Richarlison will pose an attacking threat.

Frank has quality on the bench to call for if needed and his options tonight include Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Newcastle United

Kinsky, Porro, Danso, Palhinha, Spence, Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall, Simons, Johnson, Richarlison

Substitutes: Austin, Gunter, Tel, Kudus, Van de Ven, Kolo Muani, Scarlett, Olusesi, Rowswell

Carl Recine/Getty Images

Fixture: Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: EFL Cup

Kick-off: 20:00 UK time

Eddie Howe has picked his Newcastle United side and substitutes to welcome Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur to St James’ Park this evening.

The Magpies won the EFL Cup last season in what was a famous achievement that delighted the faithful and Howe will be determined to progress under the lights tonight.

Newcastle grabbed a much needed 2-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League at the weekend and victory this evening would mean three wins on the bounce across all competitions.

During the win over Fulham, defender Sven Botman was forced off with a head injury, but it was later confirmed it was not a concussion. – he is on the bench tonight.

Howe has admitted the competition means a lot to Newcastle, but in Tottenham, they have a hugely tough test to overcome.

Newcastle did beat Tottenham both home and away in the Premier League last term however, which will give them further encouragement.

In goal for Newcastle tonight is summer signing Aaron Ramsdale, while at the back, Emil Kraft, Fabian Schar, Malick Thiaw and Dan Burn line up and will look to keep things tight.

In the engine room, Howe looks towards Joe Willock, Sandro Tonali and Jacob Ramsey to dominate the ball, while Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes support Nick Woltemade in the final third.

If changes are needed to try to shake things up against Spurs tonight then the Newcastle boss has a host of options on the bench to call for and they include Lewis Miley and Joelinton.

Newcastle UnitedLineup vs Tottenham Hotspur

Ramsdale; Krafth, Schar, Thiaw, Burn; Willock, Tonali, Ramsey; Elanga, Barnes; Woltemade

Substitutes: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Joelinton, Gordon, Osula, Murphy, Guimaraes, Miley

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has defended Tottenham Hotspur loan star Mikey Moore amidst criticism and has insisted that the forward has looked brighter in the last couple of games.

The 18-year-old has continued to get game time at Ibrox, even if off the bench, irrespective of the managerial merry-go-round they have been going through.

Moore though has not lived up to his billing and there have been questions over why he is getting selected over one of the club’s own in Findlay Curtis.

Ross McCormack recently suggested that Moore has shown nothing to be picked ahead of Curtis and he would trust the Rangers talent.

Now it is for Danny Rohl to decide how much game time the Tottenham talent gets over the coming months.

For Ferguson, Moore needs to be cut some slack due to the fact he is just 18 years old.

The Rangers legend also thinks in Rohl’s two games so far, against Brann and Kilmarnock, Moore has looked brighter, which is an encouraging sign.

Loanee Max Aarons Nasser Djiga Derek Cornelius Jayden Meghoma Mikey Moore Players on loan at Rangers

“In the last couple of games he has come on, he has looked brighter”, Ferguson said on the Go Radio football show (1.32.40).

“There has been a lot made of him, you have to remember he is still only 18 as well.

“I would like to see our own homegrown players get the opportunity.

“But he definitely showed signs where he was desperate to make an impact.

“And he certainly made an impact when he came on, the young man.”

With Rangers going through a difficult moment and having huge matches ahead, all eyes will be on how much Rohl trusts Moore to deliver.

In 13 matches he has played for Rangers, the Tottenham loanee has helped set up two goals, but is yet to open his goalscoring account for the Gers.

Tottenham will be keeping a close eye on what happens with Moore and could potentially look to bring him back in January if they are unhappy with his situation north of the border.

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Ross McCormack has not seen anything from Tottenham Hotspur‘s Mikey Moore to suggest Rangers should be giving him game time ahead of Findlay Curtis.

The Gers snapped up the Tottenham academy graduate on loan in the summer in what was considered to be a coup and have given him more than a few opportunities to make his presence felt.

Despite poor performances, Moore continued the get the nod under Russell Martin and former Ger Andy Halliday suggested the possibility of Rangers having to pay Tottenham more if they failed to play him in a certain number of games.

Now Danny Rohl is at the helm and the question is again raised about just how much game time Moore will get.

There have been calls for Rangers to play their own talent, Curtis, instead of Moore when the chance arises.

McCormack insists he could understand Moore getting picked if he was turning on the style for Rangers, but that is not the case and Curtis should play.

“I have been saying for a while that I would like to see him get some game time”, McCormack said about Curtis on Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard (2.18.41).

Loanee Max Aarons Nasser Djiga Derek Cornelius Jayden Meghoma Mikey Moore Players on loan at Rangers

“Because I can understand if he is not getting game time because someone like Mikey Moore has come up and he is ripping the place up, he is looking unbelievable.

“But for me, Mikey Moore hasn’t shown me anything that tells me that Rangers should be developing a young Spurs player rather than developing their own in the shape of Findlay Curtis.

“So, I would love to see Findlay Curtis get some minutes.”

Curtis has so far played only 42 Scottish Premiership minutes, while Moore has enjoyed 283 minutes in the Scottish top flight.

The Rangers talent has also got a goal to his name for his exploits on the pitch, while Moore is yet to open his account.

Rohl played Moore for the second 45 minutes in the 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Sunday, though Curtis remained an unused substitute.

Richard Martin-Roberts/Getty Images

Everton loan star Harrison Armstrong has admitted that he is enjoying his loan spell at Preston North End, namechecking Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alfie Devine.

Liverpool-born central midfielder Harrison is seen as a top talent at the Toffees and he was in the conversation to be part of David Moyes’ first team squad this season.

However, in the summer transfer window, the teenage talent was loaned out to Preston North End, following his impressive loan spell at Derby County last season.

Armstrong took some time to bed in at Preston as he joined them in September, but he has started all of the last five Championship games for the Lilywhites.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side find themselves seventh in the league table and the Everton midfielder competes with the likes of Devine, Ben Whiteman and Stefan Thoradarson.

The 18-year-old stressed that he is enjoying competing with other players at the club to secure a starting spot for himself, namechecking Devine.

Armstrong also lauded Spurs loan star Devine for his performance against Sheffield United, a game which Preston won 3-2 at Deepdale.

Player On loan at Harrison Armstrong Preston North End Fraser Barnsley Marine Isaac Heath Accrington Stanley Tyler Onyango Stockport County Martin Sherif Rotherham United Francis Okonronkwo Lincoln City Everton’s out on loan talents

“Yes, it is really good competition – obviously, Ali [McCann] has picked up an injury, which is unfortunate”, the Everton talent told Preston’s in-house media (2:17) when he was asked about his time at the club.

“I am really enjoying playing with any team-mates that come in there.

“Whitey [Ben Whiteman] was obviously brilliant tonight, and so was Alfie [Devine], and Stef [Stefan Thoradarson] did well when he came on; they make it really easy.

“Playing with them is enjoyable, and you want to be on that starting team sheet every week because it’s moments like this that you live for.”

Armstrong’s ‘brilliant’ performance was hailed by the Spurs loanee when the Lilywhites beat Derby County last month.

It appears the respect is mutual and the pair will be hoping to come up against each other for their respective clubs in the Premier League at some point.

James Fearn/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur talent Will Lankshear, who is on loan at Oxford United, has admitted that his scoring at the weekend was a ‘massive relief’ for him.

The Welwyn Garden City-born hitman began his youth career with Arsenal and then, after a year with Sheffield United’s academy, he moved to Spurs.

He kept impressing in Tottenham’s youth set-up, and last season, Lankshear clocked some game time for the north London club’s senior side.

Lankshear played in six senior games for Spurs, scoring a goal in the Europa League and in the second half of the campaign, he was loaned out to West Brom.

The teenage striker had a forgettable loan spell at the Baggies, and in the summer window, Championship side Oxford United loaned him in.

Lankshear scored three goals in his first five games, but until the weekend, he had not scored another goal in his loan spell for Gary Rowett’s side.

The U’s defeated Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and Lankshear opened the scoring on the day, stressing that the goal meant a lot to him.

Club Years Tottenham Hotspur 2024- West Brom (loan) 2025 Oxford United (loan) 2025- Will Lankshear’s career history

He scored after almost one and a half months and the 20-year-old did not hide that he is hugely relieved to have scored the goal.

“Yes, it [the goal] did mean a lot to me”, the Spurs loan star told Oxford United’s media (4:54) when he was asked about the importance of scoring.

“As a striker, you go a few games without scoring and you think [gives the expression of getting worried].

“So, yes, now I’ve got that one, and it is a massive relief.

“It was a brilliant ball in [by Cameron Brannagan] and I have a few of them [chances], and I have missed or been offside.

“But today I put it in, so I am really happy with the finish.”

Ex-Championship hitman Sam Parkin recently praised the Spurs talent for being incredibly mature, even though he is only 20.

Now it remains to be seen if Lankshear will be able to follow up on his goal return when the U’s face Millwall on Saturday.