Great Rabona by Lamela but not quite in David Dunn's league yet: [video=youtube;x4fsLeCjB4s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4fsLeCjB4s[/video]
Had to chuckle at Scouse sports news' reporting of the goal. Paul Lambert thought the keeper should have saved it, and Wenger 'Didn't see it'.
And next up for us is the return leg of this delightful fixture. It'll be interesting to see how Pochettino approaches this, as we really do need to win it, but we're risking knackering people out with the trip. The performance against Villa was crap, despite the win, so does he send some of those players out there to prove something or not? I'd probably go with: Vorm Chiriches Dier Fazio Davies Lennon Stambouli Dembele Townsend Paulinho Adebayor Give some of those players a chance to force their way into the side, especially Fazio and the wingers.
I'd be tempted to play the team that he intends to start against Stoke. It might be an unwanted journey but it's also an opportunity to get the players gelling and boost their confidence ahead of another important 3 points that are on the line on Sunday. Play Vorm and rest any if any that are earmarked to play on the weekend really need a the extra recovery but it's early season and I think most can cope with a midweek game. I'd like to see: Vorm Naughton, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies Stambouli, Mason Lamela, Kane, Chadli/Townsend Soldado.
I'd take Ade and leave him there. I'm certain we'll win this fixture as momentum after a 5-1 win is with us.
This is one I wouldn't want to have to pick the team for. It's actually a big game in the round. A win and we've got one foot in the next round, a loss or draw and we could be in trouble, given we've got a trip to Besiktas left. On the other hand, now of all times we need to put two wins together in the PL, and that should be the priority. It is an interesting thought that our two striker system needs another competitive game to get its act together, and that everyone should be fresh enough at this point. I dunno. We've done well with keeping people healthy so far by not playing almost anyone twice a week. I'd play a mostly second team, I think. Vorm Dier Fazio Chiriches Davies Dembele Stambouli Chadli/Kane Eriksen/Lamela Townsend Ade/Soldado Play the six alternates for a half each. Bring on Lamela and Kane late, as they've turned most of the games where we got a result.
Adebayor isn't going to Greece which I hope means he will never be selected to play for us again and packs his bags.
Unfortunately that means he will probably start against Stoke. I can understand why Poch would want a big guy up front against their big defenders-but that doesn't mean I agree. I agree RWAEB that it is a difficult one but like I've said before, we have a strong squad and should be able to cope. Soldado needs to score so I would definitely pick him. Likewise Eriksen is not playing well and therefore needs game time. I could say the same for Lennon (although I think the reason he has not played well is because he is not suited to the inverted winger system- I cannot recall a single game he has played well on the left. He can't cut in and shoot as he hasn't got the greatest shot. Vorm Dier, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies Stambouli,Dembele Lennon, Eriksen, Chadli/ Townsend Soldado
I can't either. He created more in a minute on the right than the other 90+ on the left last game. On the other hand, I can't recall either Eriksen or Lamela having a decent game when played on the right. It couldn't be we should play the former on the right, and the latter on the left or in the center. That would be too obvious.
Lamela played on the right in the Europa League last season, and had a great game against Sheriff where he tore them apart for 90 minutes (so was naturally dropped for the next Premier League game...)
Because Chelsea thrashed their opponents 6-0 I thought that the momentum would be with them to thrash them again but no, a 1-1 so now i'm a little wary ahead of tonight's clash with Asteras. We have a 5-1 momentum in our favour but, well...............! I think I'll still go for a win.
In fairness, Maribor are a very decent side. The 6-0 drubbing was just a freak result in my opinion, Maribor's record against English opposition is pretty decent for a footballing "minnow" (1 win and 4 draws in 7 or 8 games I think), so I wasn't overly surprised with their draw last night especially as they gave us two good games in Europa a couple seasons back. As for Asteras, I believe we'll win this, we won't match the 5-1 result but I reckon we can nick a couple of unanswered goals. Though anything can happen in football, knowing our luck it'll be a 5-1 reverse .
BBC Article on tonight Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has insisted he has no disagreement with Emmanuel Adebayor after leaving the striker at home for a third successive Europa League away trip. "It is the same situation," Pochettino said when asked if Adebayor's omission from the Group C meeting with Asteras Tripolis was for a specific reason. "For every mission, for every trip, we have our organisation and selections." Adebayor's last European away trip was to Sheriff Triaspol in October 2013. The 30-year-old was left on the bench by former manager Andre Villas-Boas for that 2-0 win and has missed the next six European away matches under Villas-Boas's successors Tim Sherwood and Pochettino. Younes Kaboul, Aaron Lennon, Kyle Naughton, Nabil Bentaleb, Kyle Walker and Brad Friedel will also remain in London. Michel Vorm is set for a rare start in goal due to Hugo Lloris' suspension for his late sending off in the 5-1 home win over Asteras Tripolis at White Hart Lane a fortnight ago. With Adebayor absent, Harry Kane could start up front after his recent run of form. The 21-year-old Englishman has netted eight times in 12 appearances this season - including a hat-trick against Asteras in the reverse fixture and a late winner as a substitute in Sunday's Premier League victory over Aston Villa - to rank as Tottenham's top-scorer. Defender Federico Fazio has warned that his Tottenham side face a tougher night away to Asteras Tripolis than they did at home. "We can take confidence from the first match, but we know it will be very difficult, very close," he said ahead the Europa League Group C return. "Maybe the result of the last match was slightly harsh on Asteras because they played well and they have a good team." Asteras were unbeaten in Group C before their White Hart Lane thrashing, having come away from Istanbul with a creditable 1-1 draw against Besiktas in their opening match and having beaten Partizan Belgrade 2-0 at home. They are fifth in their domestic league after holding second-placed Olympiakos to a goalless draw last time out, and are unbeaten in the seven home matches they have played in Europe. Tottenham have not won in three previous visits to Greece in continental competition and Fazio is focused on his how his personal performance can help improve that record. "It's the most important thing as a defender to ensure our opponents' players cannot score goals," he added. "We are always looking for the next win." ---------------------------- Unless it is a typo, who would be backup keeper tonight if Brad is really left behind?
