Pre-season megathread

This will pretty much be next week's starting eleven (maybe Perraud with another week to get fitter) for Spurs.

 

You normally play your "starting XI" a week before the season starts.

 

I was pretty close, I got the formation, back 3 and front 2 right. I'm guessing that Djenepo is in for Perraud because of fitness and Stuey instead of Oriol.

 

But this Is the final game, Just seems odd.

 

I wonder if we really are after a new striker given that we have been playing 3-5-2 with one of the striker positions being taken by an attacking midfielder. So more like 3-4-2-1

 

I meant that he's not on the bench. He'll be second choice for sure and therefore on the bench next weekend.

 

Aribo can play up front too. I think it's a 3-5-2.

 

I’d definitely find it interesting if Mara starts next week after limited pre season with us and likely only a partial match today

 

Don't think it's odd really.

 

I think this formation is the one of choice for tough away games (for which game one is)
I’d expect two strikers for most home games

 

It’s also an interesting message for prospective new signings - the opportunity to play will be there. I have seen people having questions over how likely all of the new signings are to start (except maybe Aribo).

Message hopefully being - “if we want you, we want you to play”.

 

Looks like Djenepo has earned his own little niche in the team at LWB, maybe Ralph sees him offering more than Perraud going forward.

 

I doubt it. Perraud is excellent going forward.

 

Perraud is coming back from a bad injury. Has had 45 minutes all pre season and missed a load of games at the end of last season

 

I think that Djenepo has earned a start too, he's had a good pre-season.
I'd definitely favour Perraud in a back four though.

 

I would love for Moussa to reinvent himself at LWB this year. I’ve always had blind, totally misguided faith in him and he’s never been able to play the attacking role that Ralph wants in a 4-2-2-2 but he works hard and isn’t afraid to put in challenges. I think it’s a promising opportunity and I hope he really takes it.

 

I’d favour Perraud full stop. Djenepo has done enough to be a back-up option, in a back five. Would scare the bejeezus out of me if it was a regular occurrence mind!!

 

I said during the Monaco game that I loved the adventurous way Djenepo pushed forward, as a LWB, and he gave the Monaco defence problems (until it was time for him to pass the ball). But, defensively he scares me, especially if/when faced up by a tricky player in our box.
A last option LWB for me, with more work being done on turning his attacking play into something more positive, with an end result.

 

Admittedly I haven't seen much of him at LWB, but when playing in his normal position it is clear he isn't up to playing at this level.

 

With Lavia and 3 CBs, let’s hope JWP gets his arse further up the pitch more. Need to see him making the Lampard-type runs into the box.