please log in to view this image Thursday 26th November 6pm Azersun Arena, Baku Europa League Group Stage The dreaded trip to Azerbaijan finally rears it's head and threatens to disrupt our good league form. Our win against Anderlecht was rather fortunate, but it leaves us on top of the table. Another 3 points in either of our last two games will probably seal qualification. It'll be interesting to see how badly Pochettino wants it and who he sends on this incredibly long trip. Lamela returns from suspension and Alli's got one for the Chelsea game, so there's a chance for either to start in this one. We've rotated the fullbacks for this competition so far and I can't see that changing, so Davies and Trippier should come in. Mason, Onomah and Carroll all seem to be getting game time too, while Bentaleb played for Algeria in the international break. I think there are a lot of options available, though the likes of N'Jie and Chadli are notable by their absence. Lineups for the last Europa League game: Spurs: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Mason; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Fazio, Wimmer, Dembele, Carroll, Onomah, Son. Qarabag: Sehic; Medvedev, Mori, Amirguliev, Agolli; Garayev, Richard; Ismaylov, Quintana Sosa, El Jedeyaoui; Armenteros. Subs: Veliyev, Qurbanov, Yunuszade, Michel, Mammadov, Cicero da Silva, Poepon. Who shouldn't travel at all? Who needs to start and who could do with some time from the bench? Do we need to alter our approach to this game in terms of tactics?
I think there's a balance to be struck. Something like: Lloris Trippier, Jan, Toby, Davies Mason, Carroll Lamela, Alli, Onomah Son It would be good to give Bentaleb time from the bench, perhaps in place of Mason if Mason is to start on Sunday. Bringing people back slowly seems to be working for us at the moment, even if it's tempting not to. We could do with Clinton fit again
This will be the first serious test of Pochettino managing the squad. And coincidentally, again a Europa fixture followed by a key game with Chelsky. The squad picked has to be strong enough not to lose (that does NOT MEAN PLAY NOT TO LOSE) , but avoid taking too many PL starters along. Similarly I expect those chosen who want to be PL starters (Townsend etc) to be fired up and give a performance as a TEAM MEMBER and not an individual.
Vorm Trippier Wimmer Fazio Davies Bentaleb Carroll Alli Mason Townsend Onomah Bench All U21s including Winks
I'd rather play Townsend than Fazio but definitely agree Jan and Toby stay home with Harry, Dembele, Lamela and Dier. I'd personally take the kids and those who feel they need 90 mins and rest anyone who feels they'd benefit from it. A fresh 11 against Chelsea and we can see the off from top 4. I don't see anything coming close to that as a priority right now.
Vorm (b) Davies (b) Wimmer (b) Carters Vickers Trippier (b) Bentaleb Alli Carroll (b) Onamah (b) Townsend Njie Mcghee Walkers-Peters Fazio Velkovic Mason (s) Lamella (b) Winks S or B indicates involvement v Chelsea.
Rob and Brian have it right. A win against Chelsea and we're 13 points clear of them and they'll probably be even further than that from the top 4. The thought of missing the opportunity to effectively end their season in front of our own fans is too painful to bear thinking about. I'd go to Baku and play for a draw then put out a strong team against Monaco at home.
In a way Alli's suspension for Chelsea is a blessing in disguise in the long term - we get to take one of our star performers away to carrier bag and he can potentially win us the game out there with his extra bit of quality, then he gets an important chance to rest right when Mason is going to be ready and pumped to play against Chelsea in the league. We get to take Townsend and Bentaleb out there too, both important players from last year who need big performances for two very different reasons. Circumstances have conspired to allow us to take a reasonably strong team who will be motivated too. I wouldn't want Lloris, Walker, Toby, Jan, Rose, Dier, Son, Eriksen or Kane to be on the plane at all. RobSpur's team is my choice too
Yes any news on Njie? I read an article recently that explained why the club takes an absolute age to bring players back from relatively minor injury: in a nutshell, it's because Poch's system demands outrageous levels of fitness and endurance to work, and there's a worry amongst the medical staff that rushing a player back into such a high octane system runs the risk of causing him severe damage, so we always err on the side of caution. Not sure if OS can verify that in any way but it makes a lot of sense and seems like a sensible thing to do.
Vorm Trippier fazio wimmer davies Townsend carroll alli lamela njie son Subs Bentaleb mason plus 3 youngsters Fazio is my only doubt cos he is shocking. Wimmer has to be given opportunities to play as he is our back up centre back. Trippier and Davies also need game time. Son could use the match to build up his fitness levels and Njie could do with match time. I think this team would be competitive and could hit them on the break as they will need to attack us. This would be a great opportunity for fringe players to stake a claim.
Look on the bright side. It wasn't too many years ago when we were first regularly back into Euro competition that our "reserve" squad was nothing but the youngsters. I think it was when we had to play the league cup final (I think) at the weekend and a euro cup on the Thursday that our Thursday team under Harry (no criticism of Harry intended) looked very sparse of talent. We should be very happy that we can put out a team this week that involves few players who will play against Chelsea, but is still light years ahead of the second teams that we've fielded in the past. It is one measure of our progress.
Chelsea is too big of a game to risk playing key players less than 3 days before them, usually I'd like to see a slightly rotated side to hopefully get the result but on Thursday I couldn't care less if our U-18's side travelled to Qarabag, luckily we don't actually need to result to that as we have a big enough squad. Vorm Tripps, Veljkovic or Carter-Vickers, Wimmer, Davies Mason, Winks Townsend, Carroll, Onomah N'Jie McGee, Veljkovic or Carter-Vickers, Walker-Peters, Fazio, Bentaleb, Alli, Harrison.
Says he is due back Thursday? http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php#c19 please log in to view this image Tottenham Hotspur (3) please log in to view this image please log in to view this image N Bentaleb Ankle/Foot Injury 26th Nov 15 very doubtful please log in to view this image N Chadli Ankle/Foot Injury 5th Dec 15 please log in to view this image A Pritchard Ankle/Foot Injury 7th Jan 16 WTF has happened to Pritchard - I thought this was going to be a big season for him. Doesn't mention N'Jie - so that's hopeful. Curious why he wasn't involved on Sunday though.
Meanwhile please log in to view this image Arsenal (7) please log in to view this image please log in to view this image M Arteta Calf Muscle Strain no return date please log in to view this image F Coquelin Knee Injury Feb 16 please log in to view this image T Walcott Calf Muscle Strain 5th Dec 15 please log in to view this image A Oxlade-Chamberlain Hamstring Injury 29th Nov 15 please log in to view this image J Wilshere Calf/Shin Injury Disappointment for Wilshere and Arsenal. A few weeks away yet. 13th Dec 15 please log in to view this image T Rosicky Knee Injury After picking up a knee problem on international duty the veteran Czech will miss the start of his team’s league campaign and should be back around game week 5. 2nd Jan 16 please log in to view this image D Welbeck Knee Injury Hodgson says he may be out till March, Wenger reckons Christmas 12th Jan 16
