Ange Postecoglou could hand out full Premier League debuts in Tottenham v Sheffield United
Paul Robinson has urged Ange Postecoglou to stick with a strong Tottenham starting XI against Sheffield United before bringing on youngsters for the final game of the Premier League season.
Mikey Moore, 16, came on as a late substitute during the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday 14 May, seeing him become Spurs’ youngest Premier League debutant.
Though Tottenham are now out of the running for Champions League qualification, and Sheffield United already relegated, Postecoglou will still be keen to finish the campaign on a high at Bramall Lane.
Robinson spoke exclusively to Tottenham News on the possibility of Postecoglou starting any youngsters against the Blades on Sunday 19 May, such as Moore, Dane Scarlett and Tyrese Hall.
“The manager could do. He’s proven that he’s not afraid to use those players,” he said. “But I just think, no disrespect to those players, that he needs to go strong. It’s one win in the last six games, which was a scrappy 2-1 home win against Burnley.
“Four defeats on the bounce before that. But it’s not just the defeats, rather the manner of them and the number of goals they’ve conceded – four at Newcastle, four at Liverpool, two against Chelsea. The season is just petering out, so they have to go there with a strong starting XI.
“Sheffield United are done; they’re finished. They’ve conceded eight at home this season against Newcastle and conceded a record number of goals, nobody has conceded more and scored less than Sheffield United – they’re there for the taking.
“It’s an opportunity for Spurs to go a few goals up, then make those changes, bringing the youngsters on and utilise them.”
Could Mikey Moore be given his full debut in Tottenham v Sheffield United?
Many of Tottenham’s Under-21s have been extremely impressive this season, earning themselves a spot on the first-team bench, but it seems unlikely that they will get any further.
Moore was given just a few minutes on the pitch as Man City saw out a 2-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while someone like Scarlett has seen plenty of senior action but has yet to start in the Premier League.
Hall, 18, was also involved in the matchday squad that faced Pep Guardiola’s title challengers recently but was unable to step onto the pitch for his senior debut.
Having missed out on Champions League qualification, Saturday will just be a dead rubber at Bramall Lane. But, of course, this will present the youngsters with a chance to make their debuts.
In other Tottenham news, one player at the club could feature more prominently next season.
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