“NEW signings? Who needs ‘em, eh?”

At face value that would not be an unreasonable response to Tottenham’s opening day victory against Newcastle at St James’ Park yesterday.

Two first-half headers were enough to settle the match and the fact the scorers, Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli, were both involved in World Cup semi-finals little more than four weeks ago only added to the initial sense that there was not a great deal to worry about for Mauricio Pochettino’s team.