I wonder. I have a theory that too little competition for spots means too little depth, which is bad, while too much competition makes for bad morale.
I agree. That's why we need the Europa League and progressing in the domestic cups would help, too. Keep everyone sharp and give them an opportunity to make an impression and force their way into contention for the first XI. I think that it's important that nobody feels cut adrift and out of the picture. Redknapp got a lot right, but I don't think he quite hit the spot on that.
The basic premise is still the same. The manager must nurture a meritocracy in the squad, and must be transparent in communicating his squad selection. The players know there are only so many games, so many subs that can be done per game etc. They also know their team-mates will pick up injuries. They and the manager/coaches have to work together to ensure all the squad are as match- sharp as possible at any given time.
The travelling squad: H Lloris, B Friedel, McGee, K Naughton, M Dawson, J Vertonghen, E Dier, B Davies, D Rose, M Velkjkovic, T Carroll, N Bentaleb, Sandro, Paulinho, M Dembele, E Lamela, N Chadli, A Townsend, L Holtby, H Kane, R Soldado.
From that I would pick: Friedel Naughton Dawson Vertonghen Davies Sandro Dembele Townsend Holtby Chadli Soldado Vorm will probably start the EL games once he is registered I guess, but Friedel for this one. I see no role for Paulinho but I know others will disagree and I do think he will start, but I wouldn't. Holtby and Dembele may swap roles, but Pochettino's system is fairly fluid anyway so we expect that. I would like to see Carroll get as much game time as possible, same with Kane. Lamela may get minutes but I expect him to start against QPR so he won't tomorrow. Same perhaps even with Bentaleb.
Is that supposed to be our 2nd team?! It does really show what a strong squad we have and why we don't need any more signings really.
No, the return leg is being televised on ITV4, but not the away leg. It is being televised on non-UK broadcasters though so its a case of finding a good stream.
Their last meaningful game was actually the 3-0 defeat away to Zenit in the 3rd Qualifying round of the CL on the 6th August. Don't underestimate them at their gaff, they beat Zenit 1-0 in the first leg.
I just went on the OS to find out who the hell McGee is. Turns out he's our "development squad" keeper. Funny thing is that in among all these fresh-faced kids there he is - Bongani Khumalo. Looking like he's massive and in his mid-30s. If anyone outside Spurs fans and (maybe) Doncaster Rovers fans knew that he was on Spurs' books and had been for the last FOUR YEARS then I think we might get investigated for corruption. Cos I don't know what the score is with us signing him and still having him and paying him for all that time but if I was an outsider I would think that something seemed very fishy indeed. Anyway I would second that line-up but with the possible alterations of Paulinho in for Dembele and either Lamela or Kane in for Townsend. First one cos I don't see much of a future for Dembele any more at Spurs and we still need to see if there's anything to see with Paulinho. Kinda similar reason to not play Townsend but Lamela instead. I just want to see him deliver something good, even against weak opposition. I'm sure that confidence is a big factor for him and he's young, had the summer off and can handle a couple of games in a few days (maybe). Chadli has to start because he's such a threat. One touch to control. Another to control it again and then a nice 5-yard lay-off into the middle and then a run into an area where there's three defenders. They won't know how to handle that.
That is another possibility, yes. Oh hang on - you mean touch of the ball, top right-hand corner of the goal. Oh. No. No that won't happen. (Kidding - much as I like to slate the lumbering oaf he does definitely seem to have that cut-in-from-the-left-and-curl-it-into-the-far-post shot on him. But really I'd expect any right-footed midfielder, from any of the divisions, to have that in their locker).
Team I'd go for would be: Friedel, Naughton, Dawson, Vertonghen, Davies Sandro, Paulinho Townsend, Dembele, Chadli Kane/ Soldado
