Shaq Coulthirst makes Spurs debut

Andre Villas-Boas handed youngsters Shaq Coulthirst, Laste Dombaxe, Nabil Bentaleb and Zeki Fryers some 1st XI game time in the second half in last night's 0-0 draw with Colchester.

It was also a chance for Danny Rose, Yago Falque and Ton Carroll, who were able to get 90 minutes under their belts to show what they could do again. Andros Townsend had 63 minutes whilst back from the Under 20 World Cup Harry Kane had 45 minutes. He was unlucky not to score when he hit the base of the post against the League One side but alas it wasn't to be.

Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon missed the game, but only as a precaution after picking up minor knocks in training so they sat it out.

Unfortunately worthwhile reports on the game are few and far between, certainly in respect of how the youngsters and especially Coulthirst on his debut, got on. If one of our fans there last night was at the game do let us know in the comments section.

The attendance in a full stadium was 9,988 and of those 3,463 were Tottenham supporters.

What did we do? 
Well Adebayor fired well wide from the edge of the box and put a header over, Townsend had 2 shots saved, Kane had a shot saved and hit the post, Defoe fired over and wide, before getting on target to be saved, Dombaxe has a shot saved, Falque had one saved was about it.

Not great in the first half improved in the second half.

Andre comments:
 "Our football really evolved in the second half, we created lots of chances again and in the end, generally, we have to be pleased. The players have been excellent in training. Now we go up a level in opposition in Hong Kong and that gives them extra motivation."
"Zeki did well as a central defender and Shaq showed tactical discipline. Laste also did well and all of these minutes with the first team are important for their confidence.

AVB to the official club website:
“I’m extremely happy bearing in mind the physical effort, the jump of quality from the first half to the second half – the opposite from the game against Swindon – and overall, a good performance,” said Andre.
"Our football really evolved in the second half, we created lots of chances again and in the end, generally, we have to be pleased.
“We have to talk about the killer instinct in the box to finish the game, that’s important, but the goalkeepers have been excellent against us, so we have to give them credit as well.
“The players haven’t stopped training and they have been excellent in their work. Now we go up a level in opposition in Hong Kong and that gives them extra motivation. At the moment, I’m extremely happy with how it’s going.”

The Match from Twitter
Townsend tests Walker twice in as many minutes - two rasping drives turned away by the keeper. 0-0, 16mins.
18 mins gone at Colchester - 0-0 - Townsend has twice tested Walker, who responded with two fine saves. Watt hit post early for U's.
Another superb save from Walker, this time tipping over from Falque. Still 0-0, 30mins gone at Colchester.
40 mins gone at Colchester, still 0-0, Falque forced another fine save from Walker (30m), Sears just wide from 25 yards (37m).
HT at Colchester, 0-0, Falque forced another fine save from Walker (30mins), Sears just wide from 25 yards (37 mins).
Second half team - Lloris; Naughton, Caulker, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Carroll, Huddlestone, Parker; Townsend, Defoe, Kane.
60m update - Townsend close twice (48m, 59), Walker fine save 1on1 from Kane (57), Lloris down to his right to deny Sears (53). Still 0-0.
Our subs - Fryers, Bentaleb, Dombaxe on for Dawson, Carroll, Huddlestone (60m), Coulthirst for Townsend (63). Still 0-0.
Updates - Defoe drilled just wide from 25 yards (74m), then Kane struck the inside of the post (75m). 0-0.
Update - Defoe in from left, piledriver saved by Cousins (80m), Cousins right behind Naughton's strike (87). Still 0-0.
FT at Colchester and it's finished Colchester 0-0 Spurs.

Players Twitter comments
andros townsend ‏@andros_townsend
Good to get another 60 odd minutes tonight! Shame we cudnt get the win but itll come! Fans were great again as usual #coys

Shaq Coulthirst ‏@ShaqCoulthirst
Happy To Have Made My Senior Debut Today Against Colchester...#COYS #THFC

William Troost-Ekong ‏@WilliamEkong
congrats @ShaqCoulthirst & @LawrenceV93 tonight

Zeki Fryers ‏@edf92
Great to come on and get some game time against Colchester!

And Some Good News
Sandro Raniere ‏@sandroraniere 19 Jul
I'll be back very soon. Wait!!!!




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