Another day, another cup game or so it seems at the moment. Having edged the first leg of the League Cup semi-final and a big scare against Burnley in the 3rd round, we now face the bottom club in the Premier League. It was a close one in the league game in December, so this could be interesting. How should Pochettino approach this one? I think that we were all hoping for a more emphatic scoreline against Sheffield Utd, but the second leg might have to take priority now. We've got a deep squad, but a number of players are either out of form, out of favour, injured or missing. Knowing who's available would be helpful, but I don't think that anyone was happy with our last performance. This may sound a little odd considering their form, but it might be an idea to start Adebayor and Soldado. It worked for Sherwood on occasion and we need to get something out of them if we're not getting rid of them. Using some width would be a nice change too, so I'd like to see Lennon reintroduced. If Kaboul and our recent captain can come back in, then why not him?
Verts needs a rest, and Eriksen looked tired too. I'd be tempted to give Mason 60mins again though after coming back from injury. I thought he looked a bit rusty. Is Yedlin available? I would go Lloris Yedlin Chiriches Dier Rose Dembele Mason->Paulinho Lennon Soldado Townsend Ade It would be a risk.
Sorry but defence too risky lacking experience in cup and a recipe for disaster. also can't see any goals. If we want to go out of this cup then this may well be the team to play.
Kane & Eriksen need a rest IMO Lloris Vlad Dier Verts Rose Capoue Mason Lennon Paulinho Dembele Soldado Save Townsend, Kane, Eriksen, Stambouli for Sheff U
During the commentary for the Sheffield Utd game they mentioned a variety of players that weren't in the squad and the reasons why. Bentaleb's at the ACoN, Chadli's dad has passed away, Lamela's injured and Chiriches has hurt his back, again. Capoue was described as being unavailable, though. Anyone know why and if it will affect this game?
This is the team I would go for. I think Vlad is injured but I doubt we will see Walker as I would of thought he will rested - I think he will be an important player for us in the second half of the season; he will be fresh having not played many games and his pace can really trouble defenders. Lennon should play more. I like walker and Lennon on the right. It certainly gives the opposition something to think about. On a separate note I am going up for this game from South Wales. Normally go by train but am driving on Saturday which I have not done before. I was going to park in Hounslow and get the tube to Seven Sisters. If I drive closer can anyone recommend somewhere to park?
I’ll jump on the Hengy team bandwagon. As he implies, I think the thing to do here is figure out who you want to play on Wednesday, and play alternates where possible against Leicester.Vlad is out, though, and I guess Capoue is as well. Any chance Yedlin could play, I wonder? If not, we could try either Dier or Kaboul at RB. Stambouli could play again, though I worry he needs a rest as well. While I would start Lennon also, I think we’ll see Townsend. In any case, while I’d like to win, this is probably the least important game we have for the remainder of the year, as far as we can tell. We should give minutes to players who haven’t been getting them, and rest as many of our key players as possible.
Lawro v Dion Dublin and they have us down for a draw with Leicester to win the replay. This has made me frown.
Verts is playing every game at the moment. I know we are light there at the moment but i'd rather rest him now than have him burn out or get injured for a larger number of games
I hope we take the opportunity to leave out most of our players that will be heading to Sheffield and West Brom too. Vorm Yedlin, Chiriches/Kaboul, Dier, Davies Paulinho, Dembele Lennon, Onomah, Rose Soldado
I'd give Kane, Eriksen, Walker and Verts a rest/ bench roles. Vorm, Yedlin, Dier, Kaboul, Rose Mason, Dembele Lennon, Paulinho, Townsend <insert one of two useless strikers here> Subs: Friedel, Walker, Davies, Stambouli, Onomah, Winks, <insert the other of the two useless strikers here>. I'm going 3-2 Spurs. Paulinho, Townsend and Mason.
Lamela's back from injury, apparently. I'd like to see him tried in the hole in a 4-4-1-1. Lloris; Chiriches, Fazio, Dier, Rose; Lennon, Capoue, Paulinho, Dembele; Lamela; Soldado.
