An already relegated Newcastle embarrassed Tottenham 5-1 on the final day of 2015/16 season, and the Magpies fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hoping for a repeat of that excellent performance.

A repeat scoreline as improbable as it can be, but the Toon Army here in the Tavern remain optimistic.

The club’s promotion was made even sweeter by witnessing a total meltdown at neighbours Sunderland.

Their dearest rivals who were relegated under David Moyes were dreadful last season.

As for the showdown at St James’ Park, Newcastle will have to be wary of Spurs’ free flowing attacking threat.

Harry Kane netted 29 times for Tottenham, despite missing the best part of three months of the season.

But Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle will be desperate to upstage his opposite number upon his return to the top flight.

The players will be battling to impress Rafa Benitez in pre-season to earn an opening day start.

Looking closer at the Newcastle v Spurs match, our landlord has identified TWO Newcastle players who will have to be left disappointed and be used as impact subs…

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Mitrovic is a fan favourite but has failed to win over Benitez, who is suggested to be happy for Mitrovic to leave the club for the right price this summer.

The Serbian who could do with some anger management classes scored just four goals in the Championship last season.

Our landlord thinks Benitez should use the striker as an impact sub against Spurs.

Jack Colback

The Englishman who astonishingly has an international cap to his name is likely to have fallen further down the pecking order by the end of the summer.

Newcastle fans are content with Mohamed Diame and Jonjo Shelvey propping up their midfield, but Colback’s exuberance could be valuable should Newcastle be chasing the game.