please log in to view this image Thursday 4th January 8pm Premier League Wembley Stadium Another potential banana skin out of the way, as a windy, rainy trip to Wales brought back another 3 points. Not the finest display of the season so far, but far from the worst, especially in those conditions. Less than 48 hours after the end of that match and we're at home to West Ham. Quite a ridiculous situation, especially as it's because of a stupid attempt to play it on New Year's Eve. Both managers will be struggling with their team selections for this one, I think. Our visitors had a rather poor start to the season, as Slaven Bilic struggled to get performances from his squad. Starting the campaign with three away games and losing them all probably didn't help. Poor fitness and a lack of application were often what cost them most, though. 11 games was enough for the board, as they only mustered two wins, and a big loss to Liverpool saw him sacked. His replacement was more familiar with the blue half of Merseyside and his announcement was met with mixed feelings. David Moyes had built a decent reputation during his decade at Everton, but now it was tainted. Attempting to follow up Ferguson's success at Man Utd was always going to be a big ask. Subsequent failure at Real Sociedad and relegation with Sunderland were less understandable. One point from his first four games did little to settle West Ham nerves. A win and a clean sheet against Chelsea followed by a goalless draw with Arsenal surprised a lot of people. Seven points from the next four games have given the fans renewed optimism. Coasting through matches is no longer acceptable and the defence looks far more organised. The shadow of relegation still looms though, as the side's still only a point away from the drop zone. The game at White Hart Lane last season was full of drama, ending in explosive fashion. Michail Antonio gave the visitors a first half lead from a poorly defended corner. Harry Winks leveled things up after the break, but Manuel Lanzini restored the lead from the spot. The game looked like it might run away from us, until Harry Kane made it 2-2 with a minute to go. Son won a penalty in injury time, which Kane dispatched, leaving just enough time for Reid to get sent off: Our trip to the Olympic stadium earlier in the campaign ended with the same scoreline, but not in the same manner. Kane's first half double was followed by Eriksen's strike on the hour and a rout looked likely. Sloppy defending allowed Hernandez to pull one back quickly and it was followed by a red card for Aurier. An unlikely point looked possible for the hosts, as Kouyate made it 3-2 with a few minutes left. The ten men left did enough to see the game out though, taking a deserved 3 points: Toby Alderweireld is still out and he's joined by both Moussa Dembele and Danny Rose. Fonte, Sakho, Antonio, Fernandes and Byram are out for West Ham, while Cresswell faces a late test. Neither side has any suspensions. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier; Lamela, Eriksen, Alli, Son; Llorente. Subs: Vorm, Aurier, Walker-Peters, Wanyama, Sissoko, Winks, Kane. League form: WWLWWW. West Ham: Adrian; Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Obiang, Masuaku; Arnautovic, Lanzini; Carroll. Subs: Hart, Rice, Noble, Quina, Haksabanovic, Ayew, Hernandez. League form: WDWLDW. Referee: Mike Dean. TV: Sky Sports. Rotation's inevitable, but how much should we make and where? Who needs to start, who needs to be benched and who needs to be left out completely? Do we need to change anything strategically from what we've been doing in the last few games?
As I said last week, Alli should not start the game due to a likely Mike Dean show. Would love 90 mins from Wanyama, but I doubt he is sufficiently match fit.
Winks scoring the equaliser against them in his debut last season remains one of my favourite Spurs moments of all time.
Tomorrow is my birthday so we all know what's gonna happen...but if any of you mo fos going all happy clappy on me I will reign terror down on your dumbasses quicker than you can say Morata is dogshite We beat Chelsea on My 50th birthday, lost to Arsenal in the 3rd round of the Fa Cup on my 48th birthday and had the Mendes non goal at United on my 38th birthday ... so God knows what my 51st birthday will bring! COYS...gimme a good one!
Hugo Dave Dier Jan Aurier Wanyama Winks Davies Alli Son Kane For me. Although I have a feeling Eriksen and Sissoko will start. The latter largely as a 'happy birthday' to RCL.
I think we do. I know I've been calling for us to continue playing 4 at the back but against a team that is going to pump long balls into the box, we need 3 defenders. They are also going to target Dele and try to get him to react so I wouldn't play him either. Lloris Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Jan, Davies Wanyama and can't believe I am saying Sissoko (He adds mass) Eriksen, Son Kane
If Poch doesn't start Deli it will give the Spammers a boost thinking they've got one up on us before the start. Poch should have a strong private word with Deli telling him not to react to absolutely anything, then give him the captains armband for the night. Show the Spam we are numerous levels of class above them.
We’re doomed, I tell you - whatever side we put out! It’s in the stars! (Just getting into the RCL-replacement mode early)
My hatred is for the gooners but chelski and the spammers are like an annoying fly on the wall I just wanna splatter em .Really hope we smash them tonight in their cup final. Just hope rcl has enough time to put his spell on the hammers before he gets too rat arsed on his birthday. COYS
They have : the Mike Dean show is in town. Another ref and I would have less problem with an Alli start, even for a Spanners PL cup final game.
Strongest team possible...we should be good enough to muster a team together for the FA Cup regardless Been listening to ex pros all week on the radio saying how they would rather play two competitive games in 2 days than to have to train. I know we can't win the league therefore I want 2nd spot...it's not out of reach.
Treat Man Utd as the current PL leaders, and pursue them. If in the weeks to come Citeh somehow implode, then by default Spurs will be thereabouts.
Exactly....we have standards to maintain. We finished 2nd last season....just because City are running away with it doesn't mean we should be thinking...First is gone, let's go for 4th. No, I want 2nd.
Hope his daughters have arranged a surprise all singing all dancing hospitality trip to Wembley for him tonight with stuffed spam on the menu.
Can’t see anything but a defeat tonight. Lloris to gift them a goal with a pathetic punch that doesn’t clear the penalty spot. Sanchez to get sent off for being a clumsy ****. Eriksen hitting the wall or first man at every set piece. Dele diving around and moaning every time he’s tackled. Sissoko being Sissoko. And Son having one of his “bad touch” games where he end up tackling himself.
