please log in to view this image Tottenham Hotspur v. Everton 29 Aug 17:30 - White Hart Lane Spurs host Everton this Saturday in the evening kick-off, hoping to pick up their first win of the season. The visitors have had mixed fortunes so far, with a win, a draw and loss in their three fixtures. Both clubs have made it clear that they're still not happy with their available players, so their could be a few changes between now and kick-off. This game finished 2-1 to the home side in the last campaign, won by a rare Roberto Soldado league goal from open play. Everton took the lead after 15 minutes through Kevin Mirallas, a player that was linked with a move to WHL earlier in the transfer window. Eriksen leveled things up halfway through the half before Aaron Lennon put the Spaniard through for the winner. None of the four players mentioned were involved for their clubs in the last round of games, strangely. Lineups for each club's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Mason; Dembele, Lamela, Chadli; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Trippier, Rose, Bentaleb (88'), Carroll (77'), Alli (65'), Onomah. Everton: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway; McCarthy, Barry; Cleverly, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku. Subs: Robles, Browning (47'), Besic, Osman, Deulofeu (86'), Mirallas, Naismith (64'). Hopefully we'll see N'Jie involved, but I said that last time. A return for Eriksen would also be welcome, as Lamela's performance in his role was poor, frankly.
Everton looked good in attack yesterday, they had good delivery on set pieces and Barkley's started the season very brightly. On the plus side City made their defence look vulnerable to pace so if we can, I'd go with: Lloris Walker, Toby, Dier, Rose Alli, Mason Berahino, Eriksen, N'Jie Kane. **** defending, it's not like we're any good at it anyway so why try?
Whilst Alli's appearance against Leicester was certainly bright, he definitely looked like what he ultimately is - a very, very young lad who's made a massive jump to a new level of football. I don't see much at fault with the Dier-Mason partnership unless we're up against top notch opposition. Leicester have been causing teams all sorts of problems since well into last season, yet we looked once again pretty solid defensively - restricting them to just 2 shots on target, one of which was the goal. Our biggest problem against Leicester was the collective lack of brains and pace shared by Dembele and Lamela. Once both were off the pitch we looked much better and sharper. We just need to stop giving away ludicrous goals! Davies was poor against Leicester. The problem with Chadli is that although he does absolutely F all for 90 minutes, you can just guarantee he'll pop up for a second with a goal or an assist. He's basically undroppable at the moment. I'd go for: Lloris Walker, Toby, Jan, Rose Dier, Mason N'jie Eriksen Chadli Kane
Lloris Rose Toby Davies Dier Mason Bentaleb Ali Eriksen Njie Kane I accept my team is tactically inept but I am a childish pig headed git most of the time and I really do not like Vertongen so want him dropped!
The problem with dropping Vertonghen is that would mean Dier slots in next to Toby - so who plays in our new ad-lib DM role? How has Wimmer been doing in training OS?
Lloris Walker Toby Dier Rose Mason Bentaleb Eriksen Clint Kane Pritchard With Alli, Carroll and hopefully a new striker on the bench! Dropping Jan might give him a wake up call, which it looks like he sorely needs.
If we haven't signed him by Saturday and he still wants to come then we should shave two lines into his eyebrows, give him a shirt with Lennon on the back and then have him play the match anyway. Granted there's no likeness between Berahino and Lennon but I think the idea that anyone other than Lennon would willingly put notches in his eyebrows should dispell any doubts about Lennon's sudden growth spurt and change in facial features. Or we could just play Pritchard or Chadli, I guess.
That problem is exacerbated by Bentaleb having a pretty poor start to the season - which has seen a section of the fanbase single him out for criticism after our matches, even his two minute cameo on Saturday.
Lose this and Pochettino is under real pressure, he isn't at the Ramos/AVB stage yet, but he needs an impressive performance from the team, or failing that, Kane to finally get off the mark with a lucky win. Everton will fancy their chances with Coleman bombing forward, why no big club has made a bid, I can't understand that, best attacking fullback in the league. Lukaku looks focused again, while Barkley has scored two cracking goals this season.
Hopefully Everton can be the turning point in our season as it was last year when turned in a great performance at the la e to beat them 2-1.
We need a win of any description. Dropping points through glaring errors in all three games has obscured the fact that we’ve created the better chances in each one (though Stoke is a bit debatable). Vertonghen does deserve to be dropped, but I’m afraid of the consequences if we do. Is Eriksen fit? Lloris Trippier Toby Vertonghen Rose Mason Dier Chadli Eriksen/Dembélé Alli Kane Alli had a couple of badly misplaced passes in addition to some great touches and an excellent goal. He does look very young an inexperienced, but we’ve done well giving players of that description starts when they sieze the opportunity they’ve been given. Trippier over Walker may be harsh on Walker, who had a decent game, but I’ve preferred Trippier all year, and Alli would be another dangerous aerial threat for Trippier’s crosses. I’ll bet we see Walker again in any case. I agree Coleman has looked great.
Lioris Trippier Alderwerleid Dier Rose Mason Dembele N'jie Eriksen Chadli Berahino(if signed) Kane needs a rest as ****ing expected after our shambles of a pre season.
Lloris, Walker, Toby, Wimmer, Rose Eriksen, Chadli Berahino, Bolasie, N'Jie Kane Because as YV says, **** defending.
