Team news and expected line-up against Asteras Tripolis - 06/11/2014

A victory should be a formality after the 5-1 demolition the last time we played Asteras Tripolis, so the question on every Spurs fans lips as we approach the match in Greece is whether Harry Kane will get the nod to start up front after staking his claim in Sunday’s win at Aston Villa?

If the young English forward is selected in Pochettino’s starting 11 in our Europa League clash tomorrow night though, does that mean he still isn’t first choice for the manager’s Premiership side? No doubt Kane will be desperate to start tomorrow evening as Spurs look to all but clinch a place in the next round of the Europa League and will believe that scoring again in Greece will force Pochettino to give him a start.

Kane has nine goals to his name so far this season and is currently joint second top scorer in the Europa League with four goals, just one behind the frontrunner, FC Steaua Bucureşti’s hitman on loan from Sevilla, Raul Rusescu.

It would be a huge surprise not to see our number 18 lead the line in tomorrow’s Group C fixture and given he is the only striker who can find the back of the net of late, it would be crazy for Mauricio leave him out.

Getting the job done

Three points tomorrow evening will ensure Tottenham are four points ahead of their third-placed opponents with two fixtures remaining and will some tough Premier League fixtures on the horizon, Pochettino will be praying his side qualify at the earliest possible opportunity.

Despite already stating that we should cruise to victory, Spurs cannot afford to go into the tie with any complacency. Since the reverse fixture, Asteras have played three games, winning two and acquiring a hard earned point against Greek giants Olympiacos.

On top of that, we can expect an extremely hostile atmosphere and some of our younger players must quickly adapt if they are to cope. Nonetheless, if we can find our feet early and get our passing game going, it really should be a routine win and we can move onto the weekend and focus on beating Stoke at White Hart Lane – we could really do with winning in front of our own fans again!

What they said

Pochettino:
“Every game is different, a different moment,
We know Asteras at home is a difficult team, a strong team.
“Their supporters are brave and we expect a very, very difficult game. Different, sure, to what we played in London.
“It will be a very important game for Asteras Tripolis, but don’t forget we also want the three points.”

Dembele:
“It’s always a different game away from home but we have the confidence to go there and win,” said the Belgian international.
“It won’t be the same as last time and it won’t be an easy game, but we need to go there looking for another three points.
“We have a big squad with good players and we know that we can strengthen our position in the group with victory. It’s important for us to stay in the Europa League by doing well in the group.”

Staying at home

Emmanuel Adebayor, Younes Kaboul and Aaron Lennon have not travelled to Greece and will remain in England along with Kyle Naughton, Nabil Bentaleb, Kyle Walker and Brad Friedel.

Michel Vorm will start in goal with Hugo Lloris suspended following his red card against Asteras two weeks ago.

Predicted starting 11

Vorm; Dier, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Dembele, Stambouli, Lamela, Townsend; Kane, Soldado.

 

I'd go Fredericks dier fazio Davies dembele mason Townsend lamela Ade soldado..

 

No gk? Also Fredericks is on loan to Boro. Ade is home.

 

Id play everyone that played sunday bar lloris, Kane and mason because for the rest this is about their level.

 

These games are the reasons why we have a rotation policy and maintain a second string team. No need to send or play too many first teamers. Most in the squad should be reasonably match fit and ready for a run. I still think that Vlad might be less of a disaster playing at RB. For me he looks much more suited at full back and has never looked like a CB. I don't know how much experience he has in that role but I seriously don't see him getting a run anywhere else, not for Spurs anyway. If not he can join BAE and be left out to rot and be forgotten. Maybe Paulinho will join him as he doesn't look like getting much time either. Shame, Baldini has a lot to answer for.
Vorm ( needs a run and will probably be our no 1 next year)
Vlad ( maybe, I don't know ?) Dier ( a run at CB ) Fazio Davies
Stam Dembele
Lamela Soldado ( needs to play deeper and link up ) Townsend
Kane ( only because Ade stayed at home)

 

If Lloris is suspended and Friedel left at home who is our reserve keeper tonight? Harry? He would still probably score!

 

I think Poch is scared of Ade. Or at least his reputation. If he's not in Greece then he's probably going to start on Sunday against Stoke. He should be there and starting with Bobby. Kane needs to start on Sunday.

Stambouli needs a start, so does Dembele. It pains me but Townsend needs to play in the league. At least he runs at people and tries to make things happen.

I can see us slipping up here unless we concentrate. They had a terrible defend but going forward they looked dangerous and our marauding full backs got caught out several times.

Of course Vorm will start as Lloris is suspended.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Chiriches start with Fazio, Davies obviously.

Just as long as we win.

 

I was talking about Ade with a pal of mine and we were of the same opinion that Poch is scared to leave him out in the prem and the farce of vice captaincy smacks of someone hes desperate to keep on side(excuse pun) but cowering to personality at detriment to team is not good management

 

I'd like to see Fredericks on the right (give the kid some first team experience. I want to see what he's capable of) and Dier start as a CB (his natural position) along with Fazio and Davies on the left (who needs to play more). Davies has quality and should get at least one league start soon.
Stambouli and Dembele are a great pair that I'd love to see more of in the league. I think one of them deserve a start with Mason in the league, as Capoue's form has dropped dramatically.
I feel Lamela and Townsend should be saved for a start against Stoke. Townsend will atleast run at defenders from the wing, or run into the middle and have a go at goal. We need that in the league.
So then Lennon on the right (where he normally plays comfortably) and Chadli on the left with Erickson (another who I feel needs to get his game back a little) in the #10 spot in the center.
Then Soldado up top. He needs to score goals. You can see it in his expressions that he is a striker not confident. A goal or 2 and a good performance can hopefully get him going.
Save Kane for his deserved start against Stoke on Sunday.

 

Happy to get the W, delighted for Kane and Townsend, but if anyone thought that dropping Rose, Naughton and Kaboul would bring about a more solid defence think again! We look bloody awful at the back, even against a pea shooter attack like Asteras. I am worried we are in for a few dustings in the Prem this season, with defending like that, against the better teams. The fact that Poch was a defender himself seems to have had nil impact on that back four.
One final gripe - Soldado. Yes, he is strong and can hold the ball up, but a striker? If we can get half of what we paid for him, I'd say it is worth consideration. Kudos to Poch for giving him 90 minutes to show what he can do against a small Greek team, but how many chances does he need? I'd say try him in midfield, but that is one department where we seem to have plenty of choice already.
Enough whinging, a classic performance it wasn't but we saw out the game when Asteras threatened to equalise. The result, forgive the cliché, was always more important than the performance.