please log in to view this image Thursday 26th December 12.30pm Premier League Tottenham Hotspur Stadium A diabolical performance against Chelsea was matched by the result and the off-pitch controversy. It's been a really negative match in a variety of ways and a response is definitely needed in this one. It really won't be easy though, as we face a tricky Brighton side in our first rematch of the season. Graham Potter hasn't won that many games so far, but the performances have been very positive. Will we see something new from Mourinho or will he try to maintain a fairly consistent lineup? The Seagulls are currently sitting in 13th place, having won 5, drawn 5 and lost 8. They're only five points clear of the relegation zone, but also only six points behind us in 7th. The tight nature of most of the league this season makes every match a possible turning point. While they'll see this as one too, Brighton won't be disappointed with where they are at the moment. They've improved this season and their playing style is a lot more attractive and watchable. This tie was an important one in last season's campaign and it ended with a bang. We needed the points to maintain a top four challenge, while they were trying to avoid relegation. A tough rearguard action kept their clean sheet safe against our constant waves of attack for most of it. Chances came and went and it looked like Alderweireld's post strike might be costly near the end. Eriksen plundered a win at the death though, hitting a fabulous shot past the despairing Matt Ryan: The trip to the Amex in October was a completely different story, though. It came after the Bayern mauling and we needed a quick start and a return of some fighting spirit. We got the complete opposite, as we went behind to a first minute goal and lost Lloris to injury for months. The team never seemed to recover and were never in the game, conceding twice more. Aaron Connolly's debut brace added to Neal Maupay's opener and the 3-0 scoreline wasn't flattering: Davies and Lloris are still out, while Lamela has returned to training with the squad. Heung-Min Son is also out, as he faces the first of his three game suspension for violent conduct. Izquierdo and Marsh miss out for the visitors, who have no suspensions. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Gazzaniga; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Sissoko, Dier; Moura, Alli, Son; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Foyth, Rose, Winks, Ndombele, Lo Celso, Eriksen. League form: WWLWWL. Brighton: Ryan; Montoya, Webster, Dunk, Burn; Gross, Stephens, Propper; Mooy, Maupay, Trossard. Subs: Button, Duffy, Bernardo, Bissouma, Alzate, Connolly, Murray. League form: LLWDDL. Ref: Graham Scott. VAR: Tim Robinson. TV: Amazon Prime. How would you like to line up for this one and what would you change from the Chelsea game? Would you stick with the same lineup, make a couple of changes or go for a wholesale switch? Which system and tactics would you use and what are you expecting Brighton to go with?
Edit: Basically a post-match conference about the Chelsea game, barring one part. Nice to see him talking up Chris Hughton's work, though.
Need to mix it up a bit. Gazza Foyth, Dave, Toby, Jan Skipp, Tanguy, Gio, Dele, Sess Kane Possibly Rose () for Toby and move Jan CB. He’s not comfortable at LB on a regular basis.
343 for me Gazza Sanchez Toby JV Sissoko / Foyth Ndombele / Sissoko Winks / Lo Celso Sessegnon / Eriksen Dele Kane Lucas
The assumption is that Sessegnon will come in for Son I wouldn't mind Lo Celso for Lucas, because can we actually ****ing play him for a change?
Agreed. We don't have the personnel for a 4231 system and frankly haven't had it since the end of the 17/18 season. It's high time we stopped shoe-horning players into roles or positions every fan alive knows they aren't suited to. Aurier cannot play in a back 4, Sissoko isn't a playmaker, Jan isn't a full back, Alli isn't a no.10 and Dier isn't mobile enough to play as a DM. Other than that, playing 4231 makes perfect sense I'd like to see: Gazza Toby Dave Jan Aurier Moose Tanguy Sess Lucas Kane Alli What we'll probably see: Gazza Aurier Dave Toby Jan Dier Tanguy Lucas Eriksen Alli Kane
Smithy...I was brought up to respect my elders so I say this with respect and honesty .... Please sir... SHUT YOUR JINXING MOFO MOUTH
Jose Mourinho on Lo Celso... "Giovani is in Europe for a few years, but France with PSG and then Spain, it's a completely different football world than it is in England. So many experienced players arrive in England the click for them is not automatic. So a young guy like Giovani also needs his time to adapt to the Premier League. You could see, even with Mauricio, an Argentinean man like him, easy communication, surrounded by some boys who speak French, he speaks English, so even in those surroundings of support it's not like he arrives here and explodes immediately. But we know the good player he is, give him time to develop and we think he is going to be a good player for us." So, he won't be playing tomorrow and we'll be taking him back to Betis for a refund, if we can find our receipt. It really is De Bruyne Mk II.
Lo Celso had flop written all over him from the beginning. If his loan is terminated in Jan then as long as someone else is signed then I’ll be happy.
That's how I see it...Poch wasn't playing him much either...I reckon he's blowing too much in training Lo Celso hasn't done anything for us to be missing him. We only crave something different because our midfield is limited. So long as we get someone in we should be ok. I'm a bit suspect with talent shining in Spain then coming here after the Soldado, Morata experience...where's Caballos at the Goonz gone?
Or, you know, unfit due to doing his hamstring right before the season started, which kept Eriksen in the starting lineup when GLC needed to be settling in
Maybe he's still not fit enough? It's because of our Uber limited initial midfield that we crave Lo Celso...we definitely need someone new Ultimately our barren windows are having their affect on us now...but we will skim over that because that would bring the spotlight onto ENIC. Our squad needs improvement that's strangely enough require about 3 windows. Let's try not to throw every negative thing into Jose's laps..he's been here 6 weeks and he's trying to deal with the mess the Levy/Poch friendship created at the end of 6 years. Maybe you forget that Poch used to talk absolute bubbles in the press about situations so I'm inclined to listen to Jose who didn't have personal affiliations when he walked in. End of the day....Lo Celso is a Poch signing...the new man doesn't fancy him maybe? That's not exclusive to Jose...many managers do that. A normal chairman with his football team's interests at heart would usually back his new appointment. Let's see what Levy does
