please log in to view this image Saturday 30th January 12.45pm Colchester Community Stadium FA Cup 4th Round Another early kick-off on BT Sport and the prospect of some truly appalling commentary. A great chance to progress in a competition that I'd love us to win, though. Our opponents come into this tie in a pretty dire position. They're currently 22nd (of 24) in League One, having played more games than most of the teams around them. Their 22 point return and a goal difference of -29, the worst in the division, tells you all that you need to know. I'm sure that they'll be throwing everything into this game as a way of rescuing something from their season. Judging by the number of goals that they've conceded (65), you'd think that we'd be able to get at them. Approaching this like every other game that we've had recently might be for the best. I doubt they'll be playing an open game and going for entertainment value. Staying tight, frustrating us and trying to win set-pieces has worked against us before and probably will again. I expect Pochettino to make a number of changes for this game, just as he did the last one. The personnel selected will probably tell us who'll be playing in the next league game. Whoever's in the team needs to see this as a massive tie, though. Complacency could easily bite us on the arse. Lineups for the last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Son, Alli, Eriksen; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Wimmer, Davies, Bentaleb, Carroll, Onomah, Lamela. League form: WWDLWW. Colchester: Kean; Brindley, Eastman, Wynter, Briggs; Edwards, Gilbey, Garvan, Moncur; Sordell, Porter. Subs: Parish, Elokobi, Shorey, Ambrose, Wright, Massey, Bonne. League form: LLDLDL. Referee: Michael Oliver. Should we rotate heavily for this one, go full strength or something in between? Should Wimmer be starting this one, in order to improve his match fitness or does he now need protecting? Anyone seen our opponents play recently? If so, what did you think?
I doubt they will sit back. They are at home , and have nothing to lose. We should rotate. possibly even CCV. Vorm Walker, CCV, Wimmer, Davies Bentaleb, Winks Lamella, Onamah, Carroll Chadli
Despite this being a potential banana slip, seeing as Colchester are bottom of League 1 and we're flying high in the Prem it's pretty much a given they're going to give us a tough game, I think a rotated side would work better as they'll be out to impress Poch in a bid to earn a spot in the Prem XI on Tuesday. Team I'd play: Vorm Walker, CCV, Wimmer, Davies Bentaleb, Carroll Lamela, Onomah, Chadli Son Lloris, Tripps, Dier, Rose, Dembele, Eriksen, Kane. After Jan's injury and Fazio's permanent holiday from playing matches, I really do think CCV could be in line for a surprise start, Toby has to be wrapped in cotton wool now what with Jan's injury, we can't afford to play him any more than we have too in my opinion. Ideally I'd like to see guys like KWP, Winks and Harrison given a chance or at least included in the squad as well as CCV but can't see it happening, Poch doesn't usually include too many youngsters at a time.
Should rephrase really shouldn't I? *Poch doesn't usually include too many minors/ toddlers at a time Really is incredible how young, yet so good our side is. The potential is just crazy.
He looks young, so it still kind of counts, younger than Vorm though! Think Vorm, at the grand age of 32 is our oldest player now after Grandad Brad retired last season.
I definitely want to see Pritchard start in this one. Bentaleb and Chadli should start too, as they need minutes as we're getting into the business end of the season.
It was reported he returned to full training a couple of weeks ago, although I haven't seen him in any of the pics from Barcelona.
Pritchard didn't play in yesterday's U21 2-0 loss to Liverpool. Joe Pritchard did, though. You'd have thought that he'd be getting time in those fixtures if he was close to match-fitness. I can see him being loaned out for the rest of the season to help him recover from his injury, to be honest.
It has been reported that Burnley are interested in loaning him in, although with Townsend on the way out and N'Jie out for a few more weeks surely it makes sense to give Pritch at least one run-out?
Poor bloke. Had his whole season ruined by some pillock making a really **** challenge before it even started.
Exactly. He had played over 80 games in the previous two seasons, and was one of the most influential players both Swindon and Brentford had. His career was on the up and everyone felt he was destined for a great future, then he becomes the victim of a poor challenge and all of a sudden his progress comes to a halt.
That's devastating to hear, was really looking forward to seeing what was going to be his breakthrough year, he's a superb talent and I hope his injury can fully heal, even if it means we won't see him for the rest of the season.
Real shame about Pritchard, I really hope he can make a recovery in the long term, and hopefully at Spurs. This should have been such a good year for him. I would play on Saturday: Lloris (I just don't entirely trust Vorm when he's not playing regularly...although I think he will probably play the match in the end) Trippier CCV Wimmer Rose Bentaleb Carroll Lamela Onomah Chadli Son Bench to include the likes of Winks if its going well, and Kane/Alli/Dembele if its not. Who knows, maybe even NEW STRIKER will be involved?! With a view to starting Son, Alli, Eriksen and Kane as the forwards for the next game.
