Couldn't agree more. Whilst the Dier-Dembele pivot has been a revelation this season, we forget that Mason-Bentaleb were good enough for a 5th place finish in what was a much more competitive league last year. Both are more than capable of doing a job when called upon, be that in cup games or in the league, and both are desperately short on match fitness. I don't think it will happen but that's the midfield I'd go with tonight...
I'd consider the City line up our first choice 11 and make 3/4 changes from that for each of our next 2 cup matches. Son up top, Lamela in for Kane, Bentaleb in for Dier and Alli for Chadli tonight. Vorm for Lloris, fullbacks swap and Mason for Dembele on the weekend. After that see where we are for the second leg. If we have a good lead against Fiorentina, or win against Palace I'd be happy for us to make more changes and take a bit more of a risk.
"Couldn't agree more. Whilst the Dier-Dembele pivot has been a revelation this season, we forget that Mason-Bentaleb were good enough for a 5th place finish in what was a much more competitive league last year. Both are more than capable of doing a job when called upon, be that in cup games or in the league, and both are desperately short on match fitness." If there is serious aspirations for the PL and EL it has to happen ASAP. So if I was Pochettino I would be looking to attempt to utterly destroy Fiorentina tonight (win, away goals etc) to make the return leg a formality (and field said players) . The FA Cup IMHO we can do if the right players are subbed tonight to complement a slightly different starting XI.
This has become something of a puzzler to me recently. What is the consensus about Lamela/Son? The City game showed that Son brings a lot to the table in terms of his pace and trickery. His inexperience shows a lot in that he often makes the wrong decision or tries to be a bit too intricate on the ball. Yet there is tremendous value in fielding a player who the opposition know will immediately look to cause trouble as soon as he gets on the ball. He does seem to have usurped Lamela as the starter in the RAM spot. But on the other hand, THAT pass from Lamela to Erisken. He's been pulling those off all season in Europe and the league. It's such a tricky call because they are such different players, technically, tactically, physically. I'm not sure if Poch knows which of the two he prefers...
I was just simplifying it, to be honest. I actually think it depends on the games. For example, I think we look better at home with Trippier and Davies, whilst away when the opposition are more attacking and we're often playing on a bigger pitch I think Rose and Walker are the much better option. Lamela and Son is a tough one but I'd probably pick Lamela for most games, although I think Son makes better runs and his shooting from outside the box is better.
"This has become something of a puzzler to me recently. What is the consensus about Lamela/Son?" As starting XI players, IMHO they are more suited for UEFA land than the PL. Not that they don't contribute, but there is not the 90 min PL performances we are getting from Kane / Alli / Dier etc. Hopefully that will change in the seasons to come (Lamela has been going up the curve - though slower than we hoped) .
I personally prefer Son at home where we usually face two banks of 4 in a packed and central defence. That's where his runs off the last shoulder and down the flanks, along with the intricacy that can sometimes let him down, is of great value. Lamela lacks the pace and dribbling ability (he is far too one-footed) to be effective against a packed defence. He was utterly useless against Leicester recently. But on the other hand, Lamela away from home makes a lot of sense due to his tenacity and work rate. Walker was horrendously exposed throughout the City game; their goal came down his flank, albeit I think Son was already off before Itchy scored.
****, apparently Lloris is out of this game and Palace. Might be back for the second leg though. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35548877
Unless we have a massive influx of players next season, we are going to have to deal with this in the CL. Or what is the point of us fighting to get there if we are not Interested in giving it a go as well as doing well in the league. That question always grates on me.
Correct. And it was a major, major problem in our maiden voyage season in the competition. We simply didn't have the strength in depth to juggle the league with facing the likes of Inter, Milan and Madrid, and our league position suffered as a result. Nothing much was done the following season either to address the glaring lack of depth in our squad, and I believe that it was only down to Harry effectively ditching the EL from word 'go' that the 2011-12 team was spoken of in the same breath as 'title contenders' for half the season. Having said that, there's no question that our depth is much better in most positions than it was back then, whilst the average levels of fitness are also vastly improved. So I don't think a 'massive influx' of new players is necessary, nor is it the healthiest approach. I think decent back up for Kane and Dier plus further cover at CB and we genuinely have enough to juggle the CL with domestic competitions.
We finally have an update from Jan. He's aiming for an April 2nd return : http://www.london24.com/sport/footb...k_date_and_reflects_on_rehab_so_far_1_4424148 “I’m out of the brace now and I can walk again so I improve every day. It’s hard work and it will take time. “I’m aiming to be back around the international break and I want to be part of the team and help however I can. “The lads support me a lot – they come and see me every day as well as the staff. I know I’m around the best people. The lads and the gaffer do everything to give me the feeling that I’m part of this team all the time.”
"Unless we have a massive influx of players next season, we are going to have to deal with this in the CL. Or what is the point of us fighting to get there if we are not Interested in giving it a go as well as doing well in the league. That question always grates on me." Set tangible targets. Such as qualify for the CL via the PL, and get to at least the QFs of a UEFA tournament in the same season. Spurs have never done both before, so there is an upward path for improvement just like GD of +1 and GA < 1 per PL game is for this season.
Tottenham Hotspur@SpursOfficial 14m14 minutes ago #THFC Team: Vorm; Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Carroll, Mason (C); Eriksen, Alli, Son; Chadli. Subs: McGee, Rose, Walker, Dembele, Dier, Onomah, Kane. #COYS
I have a similar answer to CK. Lamela against the stronger teams, Son against parked busses. It's notable both that we drew a lot of games against weaker teams with Lamela in the lineup, and that he was the key to beating City twice. If it's going to be an open, or even open-ish game, I prefer his defending and ability to find through balls. If it's banks of four, Son provides the goal threat that Lamela doesn't. Well, heavy rotation it is. COYS! I have to say I'm surprised Lamela isn't there.
I dunno, I'm happy with the quality of player coming in, I'm just a bit worried about how it's balanced and how Mason's not long back from injury. Not completely sold on Carroll either but overall I think we have good squad depth other than strikers and defensive midfielders. Anyone know if Bentaleb's injured, or fallen completely out of favour like Townsend did?
Mason as captain? I wonder how many different ones we've had this season. No idea what's happened to Bentaleb, either. Not match fit? Knock?
That is frankly a bizarre team. Far, far too lightweight through the middle albeit I'm pleased Kane and Dier are finally getting a rest. I assume this means Dier will start with Wimmer for Palace and Toby will get a rest for that game. Mason has some bite to him but he's just returning from his second lengthy injury this season so I can't see him crunching into too many tackles. I just hope we can pass our way around them because that line up is distinctly lacking in height and muscle. Also, as we've seen on many occasions this season, Son and Chadli together leaves the full-back horrendously exposed as neither is much good at defending or tracking back, especially the latter. Oh well, in Poch we trust eh?
