Soldado dropped.. My team (4-5-1) to face Chelsea

After yesterday’s game, Mauricio praised our ‘character’, ‘mentality’ and 'bravery', and now it is the manager’s turn to show bravery when he picks his XI for our toughest test yet, away at Chelsea on Wednesday.

Stick with the spine

After yesterday I would hope to see a similar spine again. With Hugo Lloris and Harry Kane being the first two names on my team-sheet, the remainder of the spine is down to blossoming partnerships.

Vertonghen and Fazio, on the back of the most solid display we’ve seen from a Spurs centre-half pairing all season, have to continue. Even though it would be foolish to think that it’ll be a much easier game for us without the suspended Diego Costa, this pairing should have enough about them to thwart either Drogba or Remy.

The next integral spine partnership is Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb. Not only are they neat footballers, but are not afraid to put the boot in. Their work-rate and discipline means they’re unlikely to be overawed by facing Blues pair Fabregas and Matic.

Behind Mason and Bentaleb I would opt for Benjamin Stambouli to come in and anchor the midfield, and to thwart the threat of Oscar. Of course this means leaving out a rejuvenated Roberto Soldado, but on a small Stamford Bridge pitch, against the towering Cahill and Terry, the Spaniard will struggle to find space.

Naughton being back a blessing

The knock picked up by Vlad Chiriches last night may mean Kyle Naughton is in line for a return to the starting XI. I believe this to be a blessing in disguise!

Vlad was solid against Everton, in an unfamiliar position, but his erratic defending and lack of concentration would be punished severely by Eden Hazard. In comparison, Naughton is solid defensively and would do a better job in managing the Belgian.

Partnering Lennon in front of Naughton may be enough to make sure Hazard doesn’t have one of his more prolific days – a trait he is very much capable of if not defended against properly.

How empty is the Tottenham tank?

Opta Joe calculated that, against Everton, Spurs' players ran a combined 121.6km. This was 5km further than any other side at the weekend – a remarkable statistic that can combine both delight and disaster.

Joyous we can be over our player’s ethic and application of their boss’s pressing tactics, but tiredness must surely be a concern. This is because we are about to play away at the table-toppers – who are known to blow teams away with their pace and power.

Of course Poch will not want to tinker with a winning team too much, but how many of these players will be able to repeat their running efforts on Wednesday I wonder? This will also have to be combined with following games against Palace on Saturday, away at Besiktas the following Thursday and away at Swansea the Sunday after.

Bolton’s bet

4-5-1: Lloris, Naughton, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies, Stambouli, Mason, Bentaleb, Lennon, Eriksen, Kane.

 

Why would you have 3 CDMs in your team.... Although Stambouli has been good I wouldn't disturb the midfield combo of Mason-Bentaleb (If they are fit). Naughton would surely be back. But otherwise same team.. My team: Lloris; Naughton, Fazio, Jan, Davies; Bentaleb, Mason; Eriksen, Kane, Lennon; Soldado

Also why would you drop Soldado just after scoring after such a long time. he needs continuity, which the Tim wasn't giving him. Also I would like to see Vorm against Palace. Give Hugo the rest he deserves.

 

Sherwood dropped him last season after he had scored against Cardiff. That was against Chelski too. If you want to shatter his confidence again then he will never get on a run of form. I suppose when Soldado score the media have nothing negative to write about. Go 2 up top as yesterday and give it a go. Give them some problems. Nobody else has to date. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. After all we are only THFC and we are not expected to get anything.

 

Hi,

Let's keep to the team that started against Everton but swop Chiriches for Naughton.

At the end of the day it was Chiriches that gave away a stupid free kick that led to their goal

No one expects us to gain even a point and if I am honest neither do I, but I want to see us go for it with the team that we would then expect to play for the next game and start building some continuity.

You don't see Chelsea dropping defenders to rotate them or the midfield

Understand and trust comes from being in hard games and playing for each other

 

Get rid of lennon and play someone who might score a goal or take a corner kick or free kick all the things that lennon hasnt got a clue how to do.

 

Keep the same team if they're all fit. Kane did well dropping back to make a 5 man midfield yesterday and Soldado looks like he's regaining a bit of confidence

 

Lloris
Naughton-Fazio-Verys-Davies
Chadli/Lennon-Mason-Bentaleb-Eriksen
Kane
Goaldado

Definitely Naughton in for Chiriches in RB. Would start off with Lennon in RW but if we are behind by the 60th minute and Lennon not contributing much to our attack, I would bring in Chadli who has had a knack of being in the right place at the right time and scoring goals. Otherwise no changes from line up from Everton game.

COYS!

 

Agree with keeping the same team except bring Naughton in for Chilrichs (sp). Lennon has to play.

 

With all due respect you are a fool to drop one of the best players we had on the pitch he attacked and defended like any world class that Chelsea or the scum have. He was outstanding and we were a different team when he went off

 

Maintain same team except Vlad. Lennon was outstanding as he ran himself rugged attacking n defending. Verts n Fazio were solid. Kane must keep dropping to assist Mid. Was happy Eriksen was marking too.

We don't need to give Chelski room in our defensive third. Their interplay is very good. Close down Cesc n squeeze out Hazard. Hit them on the break n use chances created. COYS!!!!

 

Azza has looked like the Lennon of old last couple of games, im not his biggest fan as he has spent years doing nothing at the club but when hes direct he is good.
If he continues to play with urgency and Poch doesnt over complicate things for him he gives us the width weve been lacking for years again these are both IFS but its a bit harsh to knock his last 2 performances.

 

Calls for Naughton really?

Spurs deserve better

 

Naughton will play and should be backed up with Lennon. I think we wikl need to score to get anything out of this one so I wouldnt want to drop Bobby as he creats options and chances around the box. one up top will be too easy for Chelsea. Will be a test for Benteleb, he and Mason did ok together but one ok game doesnt mean these two are rock solid. Benteleb often goes missing in bigger games and by no means a definite starter. As far as Stambouli goes you have to wonder why we bought him. This is a game for a HMF.

 

Leave Lennon in good at covering full back also Soldado stay

 

Am I the only one who thinks Kaboul should come in at right back? He's done it for us before, and he wasn't that bad at it either. Big and powerful for a right back, tearing up and down the right wing and giving our defense some much needed height against a physical Chelski attack.

 

Sorry, but can't agree at all. Football is a smile game and when we have just won with a blistering show of pace and guile, changing the team in any way, shape or form would be madness. Dropping Soldado after he has scored would be deflating for him and trying to sit back would be fateful.
Play the way we did against Everton and we could get a point.
Play the formation and team the author suggests and we will get destroyed. Keep Lennon in and keep the team and formation the same.

 

Yes.

 

I believe Soldado will start on Wednesday, but can accept the point offered. Remember a few weeks ago, Harry Kane scored a hat-rick versus Asteras and was then benched for the following Newcastle game. What followed was fan outcry, although Poch was simply protecting Kane in the long-run (you only have to look at his performances now to realise this).



If you know anything about football, and I know a lot of you do, you cannot go to Stamford Bridge and play an open game (a game reflected in a 4-4-2 formation). You will, in short, get completely battered.



Kane is powerful enough to lead the line on his own, and with the supporting Eriksen and Lennon, it should give the Chelsea back four something to think about.



If we play two in midfield again, against Matic, Fabregas and Oscar, what will happen? You guessed it – battered again! Bentaleb and Mason were superb and I expect them to play in similar fashion, but we would be foolish to say that they did not need an extra pair of legs in midfield e.g. Stambouli.

And who knows, the longer the scores stay tied, around the 60 minute mark, Spurs fans starting singing the Spaniard’s name, he is brought on (buoyed by the support) and will test Terry and Cahill in a different manner shown by Kane in the last hour.

Critics inside and outside of our football club haven’t jumped off Robbie’s back just yet remember. If he fails to produce against Chelsea they will be quick to say that he doesn’t do it against superior opposition, and the spotlight will be back on him.

Poch has to pick the best team that he thinks can get something from this game.

 

Keep the back 4 as it is, pack the midfield out. 451 look to counter at pace with lennon wide right and Townsend Left HK up top with a late arriving midfielder.
Other than that we just want a solid tight disciplined formation looking to stifle their play (do a mourinho on them). Need a committed side out there so no Lamelas, Poorlinhos etc

 

One and a half games and suddenly lennon is flavour of the month, you will see tomorrow night how useless this man is.