please log in to view this image Sunday 10th April 4pm White Hart Lane Premier League The end of the season's in sight and every game now seems massive. Fail to win this one and the uphill battle for the title becomes more of a mountain climb. It also would allow Arsenal to move to within striking distance, depending on their result. Both Manchester sides are heavily involved in the fight for fourth, so this is just as important to them. Win and they could catch City. Lose and they could be caught be West Ham. The future of their manager could be decided in the next few weeks. I think that it's fair to say that van Gaal hasn't quite had the anticipated impact at Old Trafford. His record speaks for itself and there was a lot of excitement when he was unveiled as their new coach. An equal amount of disappointment was voiced from our supporters and we had to look elsewhere. Pochettino's performance has rather buried that piece of history, though. They're still a dangerous side and capable of winning against anyone in the league. Their tactics and system have been heavily criticised, but they're still picking up points regularly. Marcus Rashford has broken into the team with some force recently, too. His Premier League debut against Arsenal was both impressive and surprising. Our reverse fixture saw both sides stumble into the season looking unprepared and off the pace. United took the lead halfway through the first half via a Kyle Walker own goal. It was quite against the run of play and they didn't manage a shot on goal until way past the hour. That turned out to be their only attempt, but our defensive gaff was enough to give them the points. The game at WHL last season saw Utd on an impressive run and they started well. Lloris had to be at his best to deny them in the first half, but they ran out of steam after the break. Late chances came, but were spurned. Kane had a penalty call turned down. It all fizzled out though and the stalemate wasn't broken. No new injury worries on the Spurs front, as Lamela is back and available for selection. N'Jie and Vertonghen will be assessed tomorrow, though I'd be surprised if either started. Shaw, Rooney, Schweinsteiger and Januzaj are out for our visitors. Young and Jones are in contention, so expect to see some dives and gurns. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Son, Eriksen, Alli; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Trippier, Davies, Mason, Carroll, Onomah, Chadli. League form: WLDWWD. Man Utd: De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Carrick; Mata, Lingard, Schneiderlin, Martial; Rashford. Subs: Romero, Fosu-Mensah, Valencia, Herrera, Fellaini, Young, Depay. League form: LWWLWW. Referee: Mike Dean. Should we continue to rotate our fullbacks, now that we're no longer in any cup competitions? Should Vertonghen return to the side if he's fit or has Wimmer done enough to keep him out? Would you replace Son with Lamela, keep the Korean in or try someone else in the three?
Paul Stewart NEVER played for Utd Utd 7/2 to win this. 7/2? When have Utd ever been 7/2 to beat Spurs? How times change
For the past couple of years I've felt we were due a win against Utd at the Lane and my god do we need one this weekend if we're to have the smallest of chances of putting pressure on Leicester. Utd seem to be a bit more formidable now and in Rashford they've got a kid who's really embracing his chances. Wonder if he'd fancy coming to a club where in recent years has allowed young players to shine . I want to say we'll win but head is saying it'll be yet another draw against them at the Lane. Hugo Walker, Toby, Big Kev, Rose Dier, Dembele Lamela, Eriksen, Alli Kane Vorm, Tripps, Davies, Jan, Onomah, Clint, Chadli Added Jan because... Well he's Jan. IF we get a decent lead then get him on for some minutes towards the end of the match. Taking Son's place in the squad who deserves to be dropped. Onomah and Clint over Carroll and Mason. Carroll and Mason have done nothing wrong but I think with the way we are in the league, trying to chase Leicester and keep Arsenal below us, we need a bit more risk in the side and with Clint and Onomah I think we'll have that. Clint's pace is something I've already mentioned previously in that defenders suffering from fatigue at this stage of the season will not want to be seeing a speed demon coming on with 20 minutes remaining, whereas Josh has more of an eye going forward than Carroll and Mason.
For me, Lamela has to start as Son's recent form simply gives us nothing going forward or defensively. Where has the pre-injury player gone that we signed and seemed to exude confidence earlier this season? Great to see Jan on the mend but this game is too soon for a starting place. Maybe a late sub if things are going well. God I hope we show up for this one and give United a torrid time, with midfield dominance. A couple of early goals to settle the nerves would be lovely and I think its about time we turned them over at the Lane. United have had the rub of the green against us far too many times in the past. Its going top be a nail-biter and without doubt, a must win. Nothing else will do now if we're serious about a challenge that will pile pressure on Leicester.
Annoying that for the second season, injuries may have helped LVG get to his best team. After all, if Rooney was fit would we ever have seen Rashford? Also a weird match for me because I'm in Manchester tomorrow for the marathon, which finishes near their ground. Hopefully I'll be well on my way home before kick off.
I'll be in Amsterdam, probably the only city in the world where there are more Spurs fans than Manure. COYS!!!!
Excellent set of results so far this weekend. Arsenal drop points and Chelsea losing always puts a smile on my face. We cannot underestimate Norwich and Newcastle losing, either, as it provides a massive incentive for Sunderland to do the business tomorrow, as if the incentive wasn't big enough already. A win tomorrow is not only crucial for our own fading title bid, we need to win in order to - ironically - keep West Ham in the hunt for a European spot, so that they'll play out of their skins when they face Leicester next week. I think I needed to go through a period of traditional doom n gloom pessimism but I've emerged from that into blissfully delusional optimism. So, you heard it here first (and probably last )... Leicester lose to Sunderland, we beat United. Leicester draw to West Ham, we beat Stoke. Leicester beat Swansea and we beat West Brom, Leicester draw to United and we go top on GD with a win at Stamford Bridge. Easy. For the first time this season, I'd pick the same XI as @Spurs or Sex? ...the omens are good, people.
My line up would be our best 11. - pretty obvious what that is right now. It picks itself, IMO. Agree with comments saying we deserve a win against United at the lane. Need to do the business today. COYS
Win today and top 4 is pretty much done and dusted , draw and its still looking great re CL qualification. .. lose and I see us losing out on top 4 ... again
Tottenham Hotspur @SpursOfficial UPDATE: Kick-off is DELAYED until 4.15pm as the @ManUtd team bus is stuck in traffic.
Big fat sam is going to get relegated with this Sunderland team...they are awful...can't pass, can't score and can't defend... not a good combination
