please log in to view this image Wednesday 25th October 8pm EFL Cup 4th Round Wembley Stadium Liverpool were the only side that we didn't beat in the league last season. They caused us plenty of problems in both games, so it's a massive boost to see them off with relative ease. West Ham were another club that we struggled with in that campaign, for some reason. Our dominance at the Olympic stadium last month wasn't repaid with a similarly flattering scoreline, either. We almost limped home in the end, so can we correct that this time out? Slavan Bilic has suggested that his priorities lie elsewhere, rather puzzling, and I'm sure that Pochettino's do, too. This could see two sides full of fringe players going up against each other, despite both clubs being starved of trophies. With injuries piling up in both squads, that might leave an opportunity for some youth players and rejects. Who can step up and become an unlikely hero in a game that probably means more to the fans than the clubs? Fernando Llorente could well be the man to do it for us. A World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain, he also has five caps for Basque Country. His three seasons at Juventus returned three titles and a cup, though he only made one appearance in his last campaign. A move to Sevilla early on in that season saw him add a Europa League trophy to his cabinet. The 32-year-old was something of an odd buy for us, but he adds plenty of experience and goals. Who else might feature? Danny Rose and Eric Lamela are on the verge of returning from long injuries, by all accounts. Ben Davies, Eric Dier, Moussa Sissoko, George-Kevin N'Koudou, Michel Vorm and Kyle Walker-Peters failed to start against Liverpool. Juan Foyth made his only appearance for us so far in the last round, while Paulo Gazzaniga is amongst today's training pictures. Our most likely suspects in the youth side all played today. Could they make the bench? Andy Carroll may well be West Ham's biggest threat. He missed their defeat to Brighton through suspension, but he's eligible for this match. He may be paired with Diafra Sakho, who's returning from injury. Mark Noble was benched for their last game, but he'd love to play in this. It'll mean more to him than any of them, but will he get that opportunity? Injury news isn't available yet, but Wanyama appears to be out, while everyone else could play some part. It sounds like a number of our senior players may be rested, though. Harry Kane is first on the list. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Winks, Alli, Aurier; Eriksen, Son; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Rose, Davies, Dier, Sissoko, N'Koudou, Llorente. League form: WDWWWW. West Ham: Hart; Zabaleta, Fonte, Reid, Masuaku; Obiang, Kouyate; Antonio, Lanzini, Arnautovic; Hernandez. Subs: Adrian, Byram, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Noble, Fernandes, Ayew. League form: WDLWDL. Referee: Mike Dean. TV: Sky Sports. How many changes should we risk for this game and which system should we adopt? Who needs to be benched and who needs to be left out completely? Who are you hoping to see given a rare start and who would you like to see come off the bench?
Vorm KWP Foyth Rose Sissoko N'koudou Llorente That leaves 2 centre back positions and 3 midfield positions to fill. Who have I forgotten? Or are we dipping into the first team? Reckon Dier will start too...so maybe 2 midfield positions to fill. Davies as one of the back 3? Since he missed the Pool game? or him and Rose to get some game time as the LWB..not sure if either are ready for the 90 minutes. P.s I think Llorente is an inspired purchase...the way he brings experience into our team when closing games out is pretty impressive from what I have seen
This game will be a good test of SQUAD management rather than trying new formations. Spurs have two tough games after this, so as many players as possible should be rested. Similarly there are players who should be sufficiently motivated to put in a shift in order to be considered for selection in those games. I hope Rose, Dembele (and dare I dream it Lamela) etc can get a decent run-out at some stage too.
Currently doing the business for England U17s in the World Cup. They face Brazil in the semi-final on Wednesday in Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium at about 11.30am GMT.
If Oakley Booth is out, how about we get a Sunglasses Hut instead Yeah, yeah I can hear you all booing.
Vorm Walker-Peters, Toby, Foyth, Davies/Rose Winks, Dier Sissoko, Alli, Son Llorente Hopefully we can give at least one of Giourgiou, Shashoua, Sterling and Edwards a go off the bench too.
The lineup for our PL2 game at lunchtime says that's probably not likely. Whiteman, Marsh, Bennetts, Amos, C Maghoma, Tanganga, S Shashoua (Pritchard 72), Skipp, Harrison (Loft 82), Edwards, Georgiou (Sterling 56) Substitutes (not used): Austin, Roles
I like this team although I wold swap Jan with Davies and Oakley-Booth with Alli. I still think Alli could do with the game time and we need a strong centre of midfield. It is risky playing Rose and Davies in case they both get injured, although we could always play 2 right backs against Man U, it didn’t hurt on Sunday!
I think we are struggling with a third CB......CK picked Jan...I think he needs a rest. Lioris in goal and Vorm as the CB?
We should make a point of beating west ham with a team of the least seasoned international we can possibly muster. dg.
It's not a case of who played Sunday but who will play against Man U. Pick that team and then see who you have left over.
I wouldn't want to risk injury and fatigue on the first team...we play play Madrid during the week after the visit to Manchester. I've got faith in Poch outdoing Bilic with the tic tacs
I wonder who West Ham will choose. I would imagine this cup is more important to them than it is to us so they'll go for a full strength squad.
