Team news and expected line-up vs Chelsea

Stats will tell you that Chelsea boast a 24-year unbeaten home streak against us, meaning that we have never beaten them at Stamford Bridge in the PL (D8 L14). Who knew we had such an awful record there?

This game also has another added importance. After losing this fixture 4-0 last season, Tim Sherwood had said: “It hurts me and I won't forget about this when we hit the motorway, but some might.

"There's a lack of character, too many of them are too nice to each other and you need to show a bit more guts."

Poch wants past forgotten

Pochettino has urged his players to forget about our abysmal record against the Blues, saying: “We don’t read about the record against Chelsea. We must ignore the past.

“The record has no effect, personally for me. Our players must look forward to going to Stamford Bridge and to try and get three points. We know that it’s difficult because in the last 14 games, they’ve had 11 clean sheets.

“We are more confident in our skill every day. We know we face a team who are very strong defensively, but we need to believe in ourselves.

When asked if Diego Costa’s absence is a boost for his side, Pochettino replied: “Costa is a very good player, but if they don’t play Costa they can play Drogba or Remy. These are different players, with different characteristics – but they are top players too.”

Kane also confident

The Argentine’s confidence and excitement was also shared by man of the moment Harry Kane, who referred back to that earlier loss in March, saying: “Obviously it is never nice when you get beat, especially by that sort of margin. This is a new season now, we've got a great bunch of lads and I think we're all together and we'll take that into the game on Wednesday.

"This season we have stuck together in games and in pre-season, we get on well and we have shown that on the pitch.

"We were honest with each other that day - and we had to be at that stage. Sometimes you have to do that in football when results don't go your way. You need to look at yourself and dust yourself down and stick together and push on."

Team News

The only concrete team news to come out of Spurs is that Kyle Naughton is back from his two match suspension and may be in line to start in front Vlad Chiriches – who picked up a knock on Sunday.

Emmanuel Adebayor faces a late fitness test after a virus and a back problem, while Etienne Capoue and Danny Rose are also struggling with knocks.

However, it is believed that neither of these three will be expected to figure.

Expected line-up

4-2-3-1: Lloris, Naughton, Fazio Vertonghen, Davies Mason, Bentaleb, Lennon, Eriksen, Kane, Soldado.

How much respect should we show Chelsea?

Analysing Pochettino’s comments, our Head Coach gives off a positive vibe talking of ‘skill’ and ‘confidence’. This would have me believe that he is unlikely to change the side who won on Sunday.

Consistency is without doubt a key factor, but Chelsea and Everton are a gulf apart in class. Against the Toffees we only had 39% of possession, despite an improved performance. If we are to go with the same side and mentality in this game, and give Chelsea this much of the ball – we are likely to be punished.

For this reason, I have suggested swapping Soldado for Kane as lone striker in order to bring Stambouli into the midfield. I was as happy as anyone to see Soldado score, but Pochettino has already said that he picks his team on a game-by-game basis.

And considering we are playing Chelsea away, it would be futile to pick a player simply because he scored in our last fixture.

 

I like this. Pretty much the same as Sunday except taking out Vlad and bringing in Naughton because of Injury. Why change it when it finally worked

 

No way soldado needs to start and build on his goal strikers need to go on a run like Kane is, they are finally getting an understanding and Kane drops in to beef up the midfield effortlessly , let's have a go at them , too many defensive midfielder makes us focus on defending which is wrong , we have more confidence after the Everton result and should make us even better this game , we need a repeat display from Lennon and Erikssen closing down the opposition that was a big credit to them

 

As its a game we are expected to get little from I'd expect us to try build on the confidence created from our last outing. Hazard obviously the main threat and wouldn't fancy chici v him one on one. I'd maybe throw walker straight in for 60 mins or so and dropping lennon not only after his recent form but also added to the fact that nobody in the spurs side will help his full back out more v hazard. Kane operating in the number 10 pos again will hopefully occupy matic meaning it will be 2v2 in center mid!

 

I would like to see again the same team against Everton today as well (except Vlad). Especially the back four, if they start playing together week in week out, they will become more solid.
And hopefully Lennon can be the Lennon we always knew! He can be a key player against tight defenses.
COYS

 

We should park the bus in front and counter. The scheme should be different. 4-4-2 is what Spurs need as it was successfully used against Wenger. Soldado should rest. I would even consider Eriksen to view from the bench. The two players on top should be able to press and have speed to counter. I think Chadli and Kane are adequate for such assignment. Therefore - Lloris, Naughton, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies, Mason, Bentaleb, Dembele, Lennon, Chadli, Kane.

 

Stick with same team except Vlad who is **** , stick Kyle Naughton back in at Rb. Robbie will keep back 4 busy while Harry supports from behind with lennon & eriksen supporting too.
COYS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Soldado scores at last then gets dropped. Very poor man management.