Team News and Expected Line-up Against FK Partizan Belgrade - 18/09/2014

After a game against Sunderland where Tottenham played well enough to win but instead had to settle for a draw, the team travels to the Serbian capital to take on FK Partizan Belgrade.

Getting to Know FK Partizan Belgrade

Partizan Belgrade are one of the most successful sides in the Balkans. They have won the Yugoslav or Serbian championship 25 times through the years with the most recent championship coming in 2013. It was their sixth consecutive title. They have also won their domestic cup a total of 12 times.

They arrive in the Europa League group stage via the Champions League playoffs. They were ousted on away goals by Bulgarian side PFC Ludogorets Razgrad. They then defeated Neftci PFK out of Azerbaijan in the Europa League playoffs to advance to the group stage. Partizan’s best finish in this competition was in 1966 when they were the runners up.

On the Weekend

We all know the result from Tottenham’s trip to the Stadium of Light this past weekend, and although disappointing, the team played with the fluidity that the supporters have wanted. If it weren’t for a couple of knocks against the woodwork, Spurs would have walked out comfortable winners. Instead, they settled for a draw with many of the same complaints from last year, not the least of which are lackluster defending and the ability to close out a dominant performance.

Partizan are unbeaten in five games in the Serbian SuperLiga. Their match over the weekend was a 4-2 win against Cukaricki.

Players to Watch

Danko Lazović, who represented Serbia at the 2010 World Cup, is leading the team in goals with five from five games in the league already this season.

Forward Petar Škuletić is right behind his countryman with four goals scored in the league.

Both have been big contributors so far in Partizan’s European adventures this term. Through six games in Europe, Lazović has five goals and Škuletić has netted three.

Danilo Pantić is a 17-year old that could burst onto the European scene soon. The Serbian U-19 star scored in Partizan’s last league game and Juventus are hot to sign the young midfielder.

What They Said

Europa League winner Federico Fazio on getting off to a good start:

“It’s difficult but if we want to win this competition we need to compete in all the matches. We need to start strongly in a difficult game in Partizan and try to get the three points”

Fazio on the importance of the Europa League:

“The tournament is great because you can play in other countries and then, in the knockout stage, it’s good to play against teams from the Champions League – some very good teams. It’s a great competition and this season, if we win, it takes us straight through to the Champions League.”

Tottenham’s Serbian starlet Milos Veljković on Partizan:

“Partizan is a great club in Serbia, they have a strong support and have been champions on many occasions. They are always in the Champions League and that shows their quality. It will be a big challenge for us.”

FK Partizan Belgrade manager Marko Nikolić:

"Partizan have partially fulfilled its goal by making the group stage, but I do not want to be mere participants. I want to try to compete at this level, to show how much power we have. We will not make big promises, but we will try to win this match as we do with every match.”

Team News

Kyle Walker remains out after surgery while Jan Vertonghen was a late scratch over the weekend and is a doubt. Roberto Soldado has a neck concern and just returned to training. Mousa Dembéle, Emmanuel Adebayor, Danny Rose, Younes Kaboul and Nacer Chadli haven’t travelled.

Game Plan

Last season, Spurs cruised through the group stage, taking all the points. This group looks tougher, especially with Beşiktaş looming on the horizon.

Spurs will want to get off on the front foot in this match and to do that, the wide players will have to be active and Paulinho (most likely) will have to do what Mousa Dembélé did at the weekend, which was be a driving force through the middle.

This game could also see the debut of Federico Fazio who will look to cement his spot in the center of the defence as new captain Younes Kaboul has been rather shaky to start the season.

Possible Line Up
Vorm, Naughton, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies, Bentaleb, Stambouli, Lennon, Paulinho, Townsend, Kane

 

Paulinho will need to show his worth. This could be an interesting game. Come on you lily whites!!

 

paulinho is more than a mid week bs euro game player, he is a starter all round, its lunacy how he is treated...

 

He is treated the same as everyone else. His attitude has been poor and therefore he does not got picked to start in the league. If he shows his commitment in the games he plays, then he will be back in the squad.

 

Paulinho is not treated poorly. He needs to show what he can do to be picked regularly.

 

I imagine that Paulinho will line up in a 3 in midfield with more freedom to break from deep, rather than as an orthodox no10.

He hasn't really got the guile, vision or creativity to play any higher up the pitch than CM, so I can't see Poch deploying him as an out and out attacking mid.

We are going to find out a fair bit about the Brazilian this season. Out of favour, and seemingly playing for his Spurs career, how the Brazilian reacts to this kind of adversity after an EXCELLENT few season in Brazil, and a big money move, will be interesting.

Remember this is a guy who was voted the 2nd/3rd best player in the Confederation Cup not so long ago so he MUST have something, eh!

Looking forward to seeing Fazio and Stambouli in action also. I believe both will prove astute pieces of business, not only for whta they give the team out on the pitch, but for what they can offer the squad in terms of personalities/ mentalities.

Great to also have Soldado returning to the squad. Top class player who I think will really be determined to reignite his career this term after a disappointing last campaign.

Kyle Walker's return can't come soon enough for me. With Spurs playing with two inverted wingers Kyles explosive and energetic presence down the right-flank will give the team a completely new dynamic.

 

I too am eager to get Kyle Walker back. I suppose you all have seen the recovery that future Spur DeAndre Yedlin made against Philadelphia in the US Open Cup Final? If not, here is the link:

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/9/16/6282505/deandre-yedlin-is-impossibly-fast

 

It should be no problem for Spurs to take care of Partizen, the team I support (in Ireland), Shamrock Rovers, put them out in the qualifying round a few years ago, and Spurs easily saw off Rovers .

 

Anything less than a win would be rather embarrassing, but I think we will continue to attack early and hopefully put this to bed nice and early. I would love to see Soldado return and knock in some goals, as ultimately he has to be the main striker at spurs, but he now needs to prove it.
Diego Costa has never played in the premiership before and look at him so far, so Soldado must prove himself this year. No excuses.

 

Vorm naughton chiriches fazio Davies dembele stambouli lamela paulinho lennon soldado

 

From the video footage I have examined of both Stambouli and Fazio, I am looking forward to seeing both of these play tonight. If they play well, they will give Pochettino some thinking to do ahead of his team selection for the Baggies.

COYS!!