On a night when Tottenham were in dire need of leadership against Newcastle, Pedro Porro demonstrated exactly why Thomas Frank entrusted him with the captain’s armband. The Spaniard consistently defended Spurs’ position with referee Chris Kavanagh following a series of contentious officiating decisions. Tottenham occasionally allowed their emotions to overwhelm them at St James’ Park, but Porro guided his team-mates away from the officials.
At the final whistle, the dynamic right-back once again proved his understanding of what it means to be part of Tottenham. Approximately 5,000 fans undertook the strenuous 564-mile round trip and maintained high spirits throughout the evening despite the team’s lack of attacking prowess. Some would have driven, others would have paid for train or coach travel, but one thing is certain: it’s a massive effort to traverse the length of the country on a weeknight following back-to-back away games in Monaco and Everton.
The least the Tottenham players could do was show their gratitude after the final whistle, but Randal Kolo Muani and Djed Spence prematurely headed for the tunnel.
Yes, it was a frustrating night, and perhaps they were on auto-pilot, but that will provide no excuse for the fans who spent their hard-earned money to support their team.
Porro immediately spotted the duo heading towards the tunnel and yelled at them, gesturing for them to return to the group.
Given that St James’ Park was far from silent, especially after a midweek victory, and with the stadium announcer also broadcasting over the loudspeaker, it gives an idea of how loudly Porro must have shouted.
Kolo Muani and Spence did eventually amble back and applaud the travelling fans alongside their teammates.
While it may seem like a minor gesture, it carries significant meaning for supporters. Expressing gratitude only takes a moment but can make a big difference, particularly following a loss.
Tottenham must ensure they keep their fanbase engaged, as despite their current success in the Premier League, Thomas Frank’s team continues to show inconsistency across all competitions.
It’s safe to say that Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Guglielmo Vicario would never allow anyone to leave the pitch without acknowledging the fans.
So, credit to Porro for stepping in to uphold dressing room standards on Tyneside.
