Bit of a selection headache for Mourinho here. At half time at the Cottage more or less picked itself but it would be hard to ignore Schurrle after that hattrick. I'm not a Cahill fan but on form he deserves to be in ahead of Luiz and Dawson is partial to the odd long ball which Cahill and Terry can deal with all day long. Willian with 10 days rest should hopefully be refreshed and raring to go. Oscar is way off the pace at the moment and needs to be dropped IMO. Key will be stopping Adebayor, he was the only reason they got a point at the Bridge last season and has been impressive against us as a Tottenham player. 3 points is essential here. To stand any chance we have to capitalise on City not playing and crank up the pressure.
Would like to see Hazard in the middle. Not sure why Jose doesn't give him a run there. Running at the heart of the opposition defence and generally slower cbs seems like a good idea to me. Oscars form has dipped markedly. Not sure what is going on there. Cech Ivan Cahill JT Azpi Ramirez Magic Wilian Hazard Shurrle Torres
I put him in my fantasy football team! Can't understand why he has been so poor, something isn't right, either hes carrying an injury or something else is effecting his game but he looks disinterested.
Long term I'd like to see him there but the opportunity to run at Walker/Naughton can't be missed and Spurs are stronger down the middle anyway.
Definitely something going on. He just had a week off and so shouldn't have been tired today but still seemed lethargic almost. Hopefully he can revive his form for the run in.
Looks like Oscar is simply in need of a week off. Given the schedule all have played, a week will be a big bonus. For Spurs, if fit, I would play Luiz alongside Matic. They were great against City and Spurs are pretty strong down the centre. I would also play Schurrle up front. He's more clinical than all our strikers combined, obviously in good form and combining well with Hazard. Think it's time Cole came in from the Arctic and Ivan had a rest. Cech Azpi JT Cahill Cole Matic Luiz Willian Oscar Hazard Schurrle.
I can see a scenario that will eventually see Hazard being at his most effective down the middle, Spud's would be the ideal bait. He draws so many fouls due to his speed and close control, the larger type central defender will have no option other than to foul him or give him a free run on goal add to that the fouls will be committed in a more preferential position to the ones that he gets out wide. We just need a player that can supply passes to him, he''ll do the rest, the lad is on another planet "A La" Messi and Ronaldo, maybe Bale as well.
Brazil are playing midweek agaisnt South Africa so unless Oscar is rested then looks like another hectic week!
This match next w/end is intriguing for a number of reasons. Firstly with Arsenal, Pool and City not playing a win would open up 2 seven point gaps and 1 nine point gap. The old adage of "points on the board" rather than "games in hand" always holds true. Secondly i think we are going to have to be at our best as Spurs away form is mighty impressive with a haul of 9 wins on the road. For the first time this season i'm beginning to believe we can win this thing ! I really thought City were too strong but i can see them slipping up in their logjam of games. Could pool be the elephant in the room ? They're certainly playing some good stuff. As a racing man i like to check the odds and We have gone 6/5 favourites, with City 13/8 and Pool 5/1. The Small Horse is drinking up his milk and stretching for home !!!
Points on the board is all that counts, it`s true that City can catch you IF they win their games in hand but that has to be done first.
If we beat Tottenham I believe we'll go on and win it because after that there's only 9 games left, 3 of which should be gimmes (Villa away, relegated Cardiff on last day and Norwich who lose and concede in every away game).
They'll all be nice and fresh next week and back at fortress Stamford Bridge! Whatever side Jose picks I'd just like to see a pile of goals against our Norf London friends.
Would also like to see Schurrle up top. Clinical.. Azpi to keep Lennon quiet and Matic to harass Eriksen all game, the if Cahill and JT can do to Adebayor what they have been doing to the likes of Negredo, Dzeko and Drogba, snuffing them out we should win
I'd go Cech Iva - Cahill - JT - Azpi Ramires - Luiz - Matic Willian - Schurrle - Hazard Oscar looks knackered and i think with Ramires in there you can either play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 depending on where you want to play him. Schurrle deserves a chance as the main front man after his hat trick and Torres was dreadful at Fulham missing a couple of great chances. Rest of the team picks itself really.
Surprised people want Schurrle to start up front. I mean long term I could agree with but it's not a role he's played regularly and given that you're at home against a rival I'd think you're far better off starting a proper striker who knows the role inside out. I expect to see: Cech Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta Ramires, Matic Willian, Oscar, Hazard Eto'o Schurrle might've scored a hattrick but Mourinho's never been one to pick a player if he doesn't think he's right for the game.
All our Brazilians, got some time on the pitch last night and Oscar opened the scoring! Apart from JT all our lot played last night, but not so all the Spuds! Perhaps they will be that bit fresher! Oh--and Ramires picked up his inevitable yellow card! Is he going for a record?
]Looks like Naughton will be left back for Spurs, could be a weakness to attack. Think Spurs will line up Lloris Walker - Dawson - Vertonghen - Naughton Lennon - Paulinho - Sandro - Dembele - Eriksen Adebayor I don't see them trying to play two up top against us, and Bentaleb may come in for Eriksen. Ivanovic and Matic both played 90, Azpi been getting rave reviews for his performance for Spain last night. Played 90 as did Cahill. Cech also played a full game. Luiz played 64 minutes in the back whilst Oscar, Willian and Ramires played 45 each. Mikel played 90 in the middle of the morning but Hazard only played 30 which is a bonus and Schurrle got 45 under his belt, up top it looks. Eto'o played 90, Salah scored during his 90 and Torres, Terry and Lamps did not play at all. My team would be Cech Ivan - Cahill - Terry - Azpi Luiz - Matic Schurrle - Hazard - Willian Torres There is plenty of energy there with Ramires and Oscar to come from the bench. Jose may play Eto'o though considering it is a home game, the only time he scores. But for me I want to see Torres against Vertonghen again.
