please log in to view this image Sunday 8th May 1.30pm Premier League White Hart Lane Two games left and the title chance has gone. Still plenty to play for, though. Top four is confirmed, but a runner's up place would be a real statement and any less would be a disappointment. We started the season with fairly modest aspirations, but I think that we need to finish with loftier ones. Avoiding a Champions League play-off is very important too, though I think that's virtually sealed. Our visitors will be taking this one seriously, too. They've got a European place to play for and will want to make a point against their old manager. Koeman's had a very good season so far and he'll be looking to end it on a positive note. They've got a distracted Palace on the final day, so they've still got a good shot at the top six or seven. Our trip to St Mary's earlier in the campaign was something of a stroll, rather surprisingly. Kane marked his 100th Spurs appearance with a goal shortly before half-time. Alli added to it a few minutes later and we controlled the second half very well to see the game out. Last season's fixture at the Lane was a very different affair. The Saints arrived on the back of a six-game winning streak, as we hadn't won in four. A piece of Eriksen magic was enough to divide the sides, as Mane missed a sitter and Chadli struck the woodwork. Naughton, Kaboul, Capoue and Adebayor all started for a very different looking Spurs side. Bentaleb is still our only omission via injury, by all accounts. Alli and Dembele will both miss the game due to suspension, though. Southampton have nobody out at all, which is somewhat surprising. Someone must be doing something right there, as I can't remember writing that on a match thread. Spurs: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Son, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Davies, Wimmer, Mason, Carroll, Chadli, N'Jie. League form: WDWWDD. Saints: Foster; Martina, Fonte, van Dijk, Bertrand; Wanyama, Clasie; Mane, Davis, Tadic; Long. Subs: Stekelenburg, Soares, Yoshida, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez, Austin. League form: WLWDWW. Referee: Jonathan Moss. With Alli and Dembele out, what needs to be done with our midfield? Do any of our other hotheads need a rest or to be taken out of the limelight for a week? Any tactical changes following our two draws or are we fine as we are?
I'm going to post one of these at 3 in the morning and see if you still manage to get this posted in about a minute!
I'll get this out the way early on then shall I? Yes, we stole Alderweireld from you, signing him from Southampton without, incredibly, paying them a penny. Apparently the money got lost due to a clerical error and ended up in a bank somewhere in Spain. Yes, we spent years coaxing Pochettino to leave you and join us. In fact, our tapping-up campaign began in 1972 immediately after he was born, such was Levy's urgency to stop him taking you to the next level. Yes, we took advantage of your poor finances at the time and purchased Bale's sell-on clause for £2.50 and a twix, knowing full well that he would go on to break the transfer record and that you would subsequently be screwed out of £8m profit. Yes, we regularly correspond with the scouting teams of Liverpool, Arsenal and United, recommending your players to them and even providing legal support for the negotiating process. Shaw, Chambers, Lovren, Schneiderlin, Lalalalalana, Clyne...they all left because we convinced them to. We have systematically dismantled your squad every single season. For these sins and many more beyond we confess oh father and beg thee forgiveness and mercy. Amen.
I'd play the strongest team possible, we need three points to secure 2nd and Southampton won't be an easy game so despite the fact a few lost their heads on Monday, I'd still want all the ones fit/ not suspended to feature. I'd like to see this: Lloris Walker, Toby, Jan, Rose Dier, Eriksen Son, Lamela, Chadli Kane Vorm, Tripps, Davies, Big Kev, Mason, Onomah, N'jie Though I think Mason will be in at CM despite being well off the pace since his return from injury, Eriksen will then be pushed up and Chadli dropping to the bench.
Need to win this, as Spurs play before the Goons. A bit sad, as it may kill the Soton push for a Europa slot next season.
You forgot about stealing Chivers, Hoddle and Deano...and "oh when the spurs" and about Rocket Ronnies hat trick in the FA Cup and us scoring 4 goals against them in 4 mins and us beating them 7-2 when Hoddle was their manager. Only when you fully confess can you become truly repentant!
Looking forward to this one, making the trip for my first away in years. Reckon we've got a decent chance with Alli n Dembele out. Is Toby fit? Even better if not but alot depends on how you start the game I think. We're a different team now though than the one you strolled past down here. We've got a pretty **** record at WHL though the last win was the one that got Hoddle sacked due a win I reckon espescially as you're the only team we haven't beaten since getting promoted...
You forgot the apology for being 'North London Yobbos' Other than that I accept your apology and once we have our 3 points to prove your remorse we can all be friends again
Yeah Toby is fit to play, as is Rose. We can somewhat cope without Alli to be honest, as incredible as he's been we have great options in the attacking areas and the likes of Son or Chadli will his void. Dembele is the one that we'll miss big time, Mason hasn't been anywhere near his form from last season since returning from injury and Tommy Carroll offers nothing in comparison to what Dembele can. We're not as depleted as what I initially expected us to be (Toby & Rose fit, Lamela not suspended) so I'm actually quite optimistic we'll continue to be the side you still haven't beaten since your return all being well, especially being at home, I always fancy us at the Lane. There any players missing from you guys?
If I were you, I’d hate us, no doubt. But if you were us, you’d love you. The very best things come from Southampton: Bale, Pochettino, Alderweireld...Crouch. The truth is I look forward to even more than friendship from you in the future. Not that I don’t value the friendship.
I'm genuinely nervous at the prospect of Mason starting instead of Mousa, such has been the level of disappointment I've felt at his post-injury cameos. I'm going to make a mad suggestion that I know will never happen, but what if we tried Lamela in the deeper role next to Dier. Ok before you close your laptops in disgust, hear me out: he isn't the quickest or the most skillful, but has the work-rate, tenacity and bite to be an effective foil for the defense - as he is anyway week in week out for Walker. He certainly has an eye for a pass and isn't afraid to bring the ball forward rapidly. Being left-footed, swapping him for Mousa means that we don't miss that nice balance that we have running through the core of the team with a line- up of: L L R R L R I know the points are crucial, but if not tomorrow then I'd very much like to see Poch experimenting with this idea, albeit this all may be down to me spending far too long in the sun today Hugo Walker Toby Jan Rose Dier Lamela Son Eriksen Chadli Kane Is it that bad? Looks interesting to me... Thoughts @Spurs or Sex?
I think that it could work, but I do like the protection he offers down his flank, but I too worry that Mason will play tomorrow, my alternative was to consider Ben Davies as the left sided DM I think that he has alot of attributes that would allow him to play in this role successfully
That's also an interesting shout. It's really sad that it has come to this - an 'anyone but Mason' thought process. Don't get me wrong I love the guy and want the best for him as a local lad who has risen through the ranks, patiently biding his time for a chance. But there's no escaping that since his return from injury he's been a shadow of the player he was last season and early this season. He was invisible in our defeat at Lego Mansions, and put in terrible cameos against West Brom and last week - on both occasions we lost what little control we still had of the midfield as soon as he came on.
Lamela would be sent off by half time I reckon if he played the deep lying role. I love him to bits, but he doesn't half get heated up and bite at ankles.
Mane's scored 7 goals in his last 6 games so he's going to be a big threat to you. Long is also in fine firm and won't stop running. We're going to be well up for this as a win gives us a good chance of finishing 6th.
I think you guys are pretty safe for second, considering your last game of the season, especially as Sunderland could well have relegated Newcastle by then. The key area is the midfield, if Spurs sit deep I think Mane and Long will be less effective, so us Saints better hope not to concede early like last time.
