Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United are having two contrasting seasons.
Tottenham Hotspur are playing wonderful football under head coach Ange Postecoglou and are in the running for a UEFA Champions League place in the Premier League table.
Spurs are fifth in the league table with 53 points from 28 games, three points behind Aston Villa, who are fourth and have played 29 games.
Newcastle United are having a disappointing campaign. Eddie Howe’s side got knocked out of the FA Cup this past weekend and are as many as 16 points off the top four.
The Magpies started the season aiming to finish in the top four and also played in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, but their campaign has been hugely disappointing.
Newcastle will take on Premier League rivals Tottenham in a post-season friendly match in Australia.
Spurs and the Magpies will face each other at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on May 22, just three days after the Premier League campaign ends.
Conor Coady comments on Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United friendly match
Leicester City central defender Conor Coady has given his verdict on the decision, and the former Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers player does not think that the Spurs or the Newcastle players would like the idea of going to Australia.
When told about the friendly on The Monday Night Club on BBC Radio 5 Live, Coady burst out laughing and said: “Are they? Well, that has gone down well in the dressing room.”
The defender then composed himself and said: “After everything you have been through in the season, the games you play and everything, it’s not that you jump on a plane and put on an hour’s flight, is it?
“Being in the dressing room, getting the news, you would be saying, ‘Why?’ first and foremost. We know why because of the money situation and the opportunity to bring in a little bit of revenue, for Australian fans to watch the teams play.
“I completely get it, but I think with the Euros being around the corner, that’s sort of thing happening, a massive tournament being around the corner, I am not sure if it is needed for football players, but from a club’s point of view, I am bringing revenue into the club. That’s the sole purpose of it.”
My View: Friendly may not be great to watch
In my opinion, the post-season friendly between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United will not be great to watch.
The Premier League season is long and rigorous. It is hugely demanding and takes a lot out of players.
I do not think that the Tottenham or the Newcastle players will be at their absolute best in Melbourne.
Moreover, Spurs and Newcastle could have some of their squad players going to the Euro 2024 finals, so they may not be keen on playing at a high intensity in case they suffer injuries.
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