This beta mentality by some fans of almost writing off tonight’s game is worrying. Both tonight and the Ipswich game are important. Ange won’t have that mentality, he will want to get the game won and then go again at the weekend. Injuries happen, this is why you need a good squad with depth. If Spurs are serious of winning the Europa then you need to win as many games away from how me as possible.
I tend to agree. Surely it is better if we secure qualification as early as possible, so that by the time the FA Cup kicks in and the Carabao resumes, we're home and hosed already in the Europa? No point relying on jam tomorrow if there'll be too many slices of bread to spread it on. My other concern with the new EL format is that with only one 'leg' per opponent, you don't really get a chance to test yourself against the stronger teams before the KO stage. Gala are by far the strongest team in our side of the fixtures. Testing ourselves properly against them will prepare us better for when we come across the likes of Lazio, Eintracht, Lyon, Porto, Bilbao etc.
Myself and others said this days ago (I particularly stated EL KO qualification can be done and dusted this month) . "My other concern with the new EL format is that with only one 'leg' per opponent, you don't really get a chance to test yourself against the stronger teams before the KO stage. Gala are by far the strongest team in our side of the fixtures. Testing ourselves properly against them will prepare us better for when we come across the likes of Lazio, Eintracht, Lyon, Porto, Bilbao etc." Not true. The new format draw ensures you get two opponents from each of the four "pots" . The old group draw format meant you only got one opponent from each pot. That Rangers were into pot 1 is due to them toiling in UEFA land for the 2-3 seasons Spurs were a joke. Thar Spurs face them is literally the luck of the draw.
That's my point, the Pots system isn't always a reliable measure of actual quality. All it shows is the relative length of time a club has been causing money to poor into UEFA's coffers over 3 or 5 year cycles. Bilbao, Gala, Lyon and Anderlecht are all significantly better than their Pot allocation would imply.
The same is true for Spurs regarding the rankings. That aside, the objectives for UEFA land group stage campaigns are always the following : 1. qualify for the KO stage ASAP 2. get as much squad rotation done as possible (which is determined by how quickly you do 1) IMHO fate has offered Spurs an EL opportunity this season that we haven't had since 2013-14.
Wow… interesting squad tonight. Loads of youth. Lankshear starts. Dorrington, Casanova, Olusesi, and Williams-Bennett all on the bench. COYS
Interesting starting XI (cannot complain lest I be called a squad rotation gobsh*te) . Everyone think the bench is strong enough to prevent a loss if things go pear-shaped before subs are made ??
Don't fancy that defence against Osimhen, I'd very happily take a draw looking at our bench. 2 'keepers and 3 players I've never heard of. Most important thing is no injuries, especially for Sonny - I'd rather he wasn't playing tbh
Osimhen and Icardi mate We have enough potential gamechangers on the bench imo. Sarr, Kulu and Solanke should suffice. I'm more concerned about the potential need to defend a narrow lead. Dorrington is completely untested while Udogie isn't great defensively. And I'm not sold on Betancur's ability to break up play and protect the defence.
Said it earlier in the thread but Olusesi is a serious baller. Doubt we’ll see him come on but I’m glad he’s getting first team recognition.
I totally forgot Davinson Sanchez now plays for Gala. He starts in the middle of their back 3. Sit back, relax and watch as he miraculously turns into prime Franco Baresi for the evening.
Yeah, the defence is exactly my problem, I just don't think any 2 of Dragusin/Davies/Dorrington/Gray will shore us up at CB if they're causing us problems in attack. Icardi might well be a problem too but I'm less concerned about him outpacing or turning our centrebacks inside out. Son will hopefully be subbed off early again so so even if 1 of Solanke and Kulu comes on we'll be weaker on paper at least. Like I'm not trying to be doom and gloom. I'm looking forward to the game as it'll be good to see a lot of younger players get some game time(and figuring out who some of them are) but I do think we could be in for a bad one results-wise.
