please log in to view this image Thursday 7th December 8.15pm Premier League Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Perisic, van de Ven, Maddison, Sessegnon, Solomon, Bentancur and Sarr are still injured. No news yet on Dier or any other potential absences. Romero returns from his ban, but Udogie is one card away from another one. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Vicario; Porro, Emerson, Davies, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Lo Celso; Johnson, Son, Gil. Subs: Forster, Austin, Dorrington, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Santiago, Donley, Veliz. League form: WWLLLD. West Ham: Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Emerson; Alvarez, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Soucek, Paqueta; Bowen. Subs: Fabianski, Kehrer, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Fornals, Cornet, Benrahma, Ings, Mubama. League form: LLLWWD. Ref: Michael Salisbury. VAR: John Brooks. TV: Amazon Prime. How would you like to line up for this one and how do you think we actually will line up?
Just Romero for Emerson if no new injuries. Maybe Dier for Davies if fit. I understand Bentancur is out till Feb. Such a shame.
West Ham will inevitably park the bus and rely on the counter attacks. We never seem to fare well against this tactics. Will be good to see Romero return potentially partnering Ben. We need Lo Celso to continue his fairly decent performances and I personally would like to see Bryan on the sub bench and use Hojbjerg as this strengthened our midfield on Sunday. Any reliable info on Sarr’s injury?
I think Gil needs to be dropped to the bench for now. Still has a ways to go before convinces me he can cut it in the PL. The talent is clearly there but decision making and physicality are lacking. The Spammers have some absolute units in midfield and defence so I'd play Richarlison or Hojbjerg instead of Gil to give us more of a presence. Romero in for Emerson. No further changes, your honour.
Makes zero sense to do that. Play him until if/ when he gets a suspension, otherwise he’d miss more games.
Not sure this would actually help us win though? I would be happy for Johnson and kulu on the wings with LC as the 10 and Hojbjerg and Biss in CM.
I’d change the CBs and keep the rest. Romero and Dorrington give us height and ability to play it out and there’ll likely be a few high balls to Antonio on Thursday, so height is a must. Agree with CK that Gil’s decision making has let him down the last couple of games but equally there’s been sparks of his ability in both matches and I want him to build on it. If I’m not wrong, this was Gil’s first time in 2 and a half years he’s started successive games - and he’s done so off the back of an injury too - I think giving him a run until Solomon’s back makes more sense than dropping him at the moment. Hojbjerg’s been far better off the bench than he has starting games too.
Loads of tickets left for the game. Lots of returns I assume due to ridiculous kick off time taking into account the new injury time protocols plus train strikes! could be a half empty stadium!
The Gil question is a tough one. He is clearly a talent and has contributed creatively sporadically over his time with us. It's also true to say that he hasn't ever really had a run of games to establish himself. But it is also very clear that he lacks the strength on (and off?) the ball for the PL. I think he is well aware of this himself which in turn makes him less confident in one-on-one scenarios. Gonna sound like a broken record, but for now I'll run with whatever Ange decides!
He’d definitely blow away in a gust of wind, no doubt about that. But I can’t help but feel we’d be missing a trick if we don’t invest more time in him. We’ve seen the huge rise in Sarr this season by being given regular starts and games, I think there’s potential for Gil to do similar if he’s afforded the time. Both joined at the same time and with similar reputations for being highly sought after wonderkids. I’d rather find out one way or another if Gil can reach his potential here than wonder what might have been if he’s not given the chances.
I also think this game suits him more than City. Most wingers struggle against Walker, and Gil’s strength is his technical ability rather than his physical ability so he was always going to have a hard day. West Ham are more likely to sit in so a technician might do better.
