There is a part of me that knows not to expect anything more than this, BUT I'm choosing to focus on what I want! Pochettino is beginning to understand, and hopefully deal with, the mentality of the squad. If he meant what he said about 'killing teams', today is when we should see evidence of his work in this area. I trust he's done the work. Lets see a win.
Pochettino has to show that he has beat into the squad that the play resulting in points dropped last week will not be tolerated, and those who wish to be in the PL starting XIs better get their act together pronto.
Tottenham Hotspur @SpursOfficial · 1m team: Lloris, Dier, Kaboul (c), Chiriches, Rose; Capoue, Dembele; Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Adebayor. subs: Vorm, Naughton, Vertonghen, Bentaleb, Lennon, Paulinho, Soldado
The WBA team always worries me. Sessegnon and Berahino are quick enough to cause us problems and I feel like Brunt is always going to have a good game against us, even if thats not always true. On our side I'd have liked to see Stambouli in the match day squad, and the quicker Naughton is back starting (never thought I'd say that!) the better because Dier is a very promising young CB but is not a RB for me.
No changes in the starting XI from our last game. Can't say that I'm surprised. Strong team, strong bench.
No surprises. But Fazio-Vertonghen looked like our #1 CB pair before the season started, more so when they played together in Belgrade. Also, while I think Dembele is still a better all around player than Bentaleb, Bentaleb may be better in a deeper lying role because he gets the ball forward faster.
I don't think we're going to get many chances for fast counterattacks against West Brom so Dembele suits the game, in my opinion. This is going to be more a case of breaking them down, the quicker we can do that the more the game will open up and suit the better attacking side(which should be us in theory at least). Berahino is made for counterattacking and making the most of space created by full backs pushing forward. I'd rather Fazio and Vertonghen started too. Interesting to see the bench though, no Townsend, Kane or Fazio, not sure if they have knocks or we just ran out of room for them in the match day squad. If the latter then I think it's strange as I'd take Townsend and Kane for impact subs over Lennon and Soldado(who's hardly had a kick). Hopefully the 11 out there from the start will be enough anyway.
Townsend got a knock and I'd assume that Vertonghen's in over Fazio both for his experience of the league and club and his versatility. Soldado looked streets ahead of Kane when he came on in the week, so that might be why he's preferred to Kane. The youngster's also played a fair bit recently.
Yeah, the Vertonghen over Fazio one wasn't hugely surprising but Chiriches being picked over him and Vertonghen is a bit strange. Forgot Davies wasn't on the bench too but as you say, Vertonghen can play left back as can Naughton so it's a bit of a waste of a substitute having him there too. I thought Soldado looked out of practice when he came on against Partizan and I don't think many impressed on that pitch midweek so I wouldn't judge Kane on the performance.
Adebayor is due a game where he shows his ability and in the past you would back him to get a brace, so hopefully today he can shine, especially if it stops Chadli getting on the scoresheet.
Unnecessary corner given away in the first minute. Kaboul really should've been more aware there and Chiriches should've done better with the clearance. Dealt with it, but then didn't clear properly, resulting in a free header for Dawson. Ball was a bit too floaty for him to do any damage, but that's a really poor start. Need to wake up.
Tony Gale as co-commentator. Berahino beats the offside trap easily, but has his angle narrowed by Kaboul and he misses badly. Not a great start for our defence.
First bit of pressure from us and the Baggies look quite panicky and lacking in composure. Their lack of good results this season is pretty evident. They look vulnerable at the back.
Chiriches pissing about in a silly position at the back, again. I know he hasn't played much recently, but he really needs to cut that out. First corner leads to another corner, then the second leads to a scramble and a shot. Too many chances being taken at the back.
Now Dier joins in the defensive balls ups, giving the ball away under no pressure with a sideways pass straight to the opposition. West Brom work a corner from the training field and get a decent shot off, which Lloris saves. Such a sloppy start, though we look pretty decent up front. Need to keep the ball and push them back.
Sloppy defence, Ade looks well off the pace, Capoue at least looks solid enough in the middle. We need to do everything twice as fast to get anywhere here. We have no players with the blistering pace of Lennon or Bale in this lineup so we need to think and execute faster than ever.
