please log in to view this image Wednesday 26th September 8pm Carabao Cup 3rd Round Stadium MK Our awful run was ended with a victory in Brighton and now we're off to pastures new. Watford might be a familiar opponent, but Stadium MK is not a familiar ground. This could be one of three "home" stadiums for us this season and how disruptive that is remains to be seen. I'd also expect and unfamiliar lineup for both sides, as the managers take the opportunity to rest and rotate. Watford did so in the last round, making 11 changes and all 22 wouldn't surprise me for this tie. I discussed Watford's form and our recent meetings a few games ago, so have a blast from the past, instead: No injury updates yet. No suspensions for either side. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Gazzaniga; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Son, Eriksen, Moura; Kane. Subs: Whiteman, Aurier, Sanchez, Wanyama, Winks, Lamela, Alli. League form: WWWLLW. Watford: Foster; Janmaat, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas; Doucoure, Capoue; Hughes, Peyreyra; Gray, Deeney. Subs: Gomes, Femenia, Mariappa, Chalobah, Masina, Sema, Success. League form: WWWWLD. Referee: Lee Mason. TV: Not televised. How many changes would you make for this one and which system would you use? Is there anyone that should be left out no matter what or someone that should definitely be selected? Are there any youngsters or fringe players that you'd promote to the bench?
I'd go something like... Gazzaniga; Aurier, Sanchez, Foyth, Davies; Wanyama, Winks, Alli; Lamela, Son, Moura Getting the balance for the bench is the hard part. Probably some combination of Eriksen, Llorente, KWP, Georgiou, Skipp and whichever U23 keeper isn't busy that evening
Really want us to go for silverware but equally our first team are looking so fatigued at the moment that playing them tomorrow wouldn't be ideal. I'm hoping Watford rotate a bit though, they've had a great start in the Prem so surely Gracia won't be looking to risk injury/ fatigue that could disrupt their flow? Gazza Aurier, Dave, Foyth KWP, Wanyama, Amos, Davies Lamela, Alli Llorente Pretty defensive line up but hopefully the WBs along with Alli and Lamela can create enough problems. I'd have two of Kane, Eriksen, Lucas and Son the bench along with a few youngsters.
HITC are predicting an Amos start That probably guarantees he won't even make the matchday squad then...
Latest watch advert with bonus platitudes from the manager: Also, Dele Alli on his possible return to Stadium MK:
Is Vic there ?? YES. Would be a right laugh for Sissoko to have a worldy tonight. Anyway, that is far from a weak starting XI the hack Narrative (TM) would have us believe Pochettino selects.
Also, as predicted, HITC's bold prediction that Luke Amos would get his first start was a little wide of the mark... Depending on who we draw in the FA Cup, it's worth wondering if Sterling, Harrison or Parrott are in the matchday squad at Llorente's expense
Potentially a very interchangeable front three. Could be Dele up top with Lamela and Lucas either side or Lamela and Lucas upfront with Dele in the number 10 position.
Nice attacking options, good to see Wanyama getting a start and Sissoko back from injury, could've done with his athleticism against Inter. Here's hoping Winks can knock a few forward passes because there's a number of players who can cause some real damage if given the service.
Another formation change? I'd have preferred to see Llorente start and Alli given more recovery time. Wanyama and Sissoko in front of the defence with Moura, Winks and Lamela as the three. Moura, Lamela and Llorente wrecked Roma in the pre-season in a 4-2-3-1 and I was hoping to see it tried again tonight.
being a happy clappy singing mo fo worked on Saturday so here we go again... wake me up before you go go who needs bale when you got Sissoko?