Alan Pardew: 'Tottenham Hotspur are a mystery'

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are an unknown quantity ahead of the new season.

The Magpies are largely unchanged ahead of the new season, while Spurs have seen a change in management as well as the loss of Emmanuel Adebayor and potential loss of Luka Modric.

Pardew's side face Spurs in their season opener tomorrow, and he admits that there will be a certain amount of guesswork involved in his team selection.

"They are a little bit different to last year because their style is slightly different, and obviously in terms of the personnel," Pardew said.

"It is a bit of a mystery really what the team is going to be, so we are kind of guessing what we think it is and we'll work towards that.

"But I still think they will have a good season - they have great players and a great manager. It is a tough game for us."

Newcastle finished just one place and four points behind Tottenham last season.