Reading 0 Tottenham 2: Frank makes ELEVEN changes at half-time of first match as new-boys Vuskovic and Kudus shine
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Tottenham got their pre-season preparations off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory over Reading
Credit: Getty
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New boss Thomas Frank tried out a new system as he made 11 changes at half time
Credit: Reuters
Kudus meanwhile, who joined last week from London rivals
Both players looked very sharp - although the same could not be said for a rusty-looking
Spurs played two different XIs for each half at a packed Select Car Leasing Stadium.
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The 3,021 Spurs fans who turned up instantly sang songs proclaiming their 'Champions of Europe' status following May's Europa League triumph.
Chairman Daniel Levy, who controversially sacked the man who had delivered that trophy, Ange Postecoglou, and replaced him with Frank, watched on from the directors' box, deep in conversation with Spurs' technical director Johan Lange throughout.
In truth, it was a dull first half that very much reflected its pre-season status, but there were a few hints of what Frank may bring to Tottenham from a tactical perspective.
First of all, he went with two holding midfielders - something predecessor Postecoglou rarely did until the final stage of the Europa League.
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Here's how Tottenham lined up in the first half
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Luka Vuskovic netted on his debut for Spurs
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Mohammed Kudus impressed on his first outing for the club
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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While out of possession his formation looked to be a 4-4-2, similar to how his
The only real chance of the first 45 came shortly before the break, when former Manchester United goalkeeper Joel Pereira beat away a powerful Pape Sarr shot from close range.
Thomas Frank has held his first press conference as Tottenham manager - what did we learn?
Pedro Porro was also on the receiving end of a very unfriendly tackle by Mark O'Mahony, who cleaned out the Spaniard after the Spurs man had knocked the ball past him.
O'Mahony was booked and
Frank gave his team-talk to the completely new side he put out for the second period on the pitch in a huddle at half-time.
His line-up read: Vicario; Spence, Vuskovic, Van de Ven, Davies; Bergvall, Bissouma; Kudus, Donley, Son; Lankshear.
Kudus and Vuskovic, who officially moved to the club this summer two years on from when his £12m switch from Hajduk Split had been agreed.
The switches quickly had an impact with Frank's men going 2-0 up with nine minutes of the restart.
Spurs' opener came from a set-piece, which must have pleased their new boss immensely given it is an area he is looking to improve.
Academy product Lankshear got the finishing touch, but it was set up by two new-boys.
Kudus fired in an outswinging corner which Vuskovic flicked on, allowing Lankshear to nod home.
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Here's how Spurs looked for the second half
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Will Lankshear finished off a move from Kudus and Vuskovic
Credit: Getty
Five minutes later, Kudus and Vuskovic linked up again with the man signed from West Ham for £55m laying the ball off for Vuskovic to steer beautifully into the corner.
It was a brilliant finish from a centre-back, or any player, but then again Vuskovic has goals in his locker, having netted seven on loan in Belgium with Westerlo last season.
The Croatia international then showed his defensive awareness with an important clearance to deny Andre Garcia's header.
There has been a lot of scrutiny around the future of Son this summer and the South Korean struggled with his touch when coming on.
There was a bit of crowd trouble between the two sets of fans up in the corner of the Sir John Madejski Stand in the final ten minutes of the game, with a few bottles thrown.
But it did not take the shine off what was a good start for Frank - and for Kudus and Vuskovic in particular.
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Spurs were impressive against League One Reading
Credit: PA
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New boss Frank will be pleased with how his first game in charge went
Credit: Getty
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