Team news and expected line-up vs Crystal Palace

Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be looking to put their derby-day defeat to Chelsea behind them ahead of Crystal Palace’s visit to the Lane. After positives and promise against Everton last Sunday, it was back to the familiar doom and gloom come Wednesday evening.

It seemed our visit to the Bridge came too soon, but it would be foolish to view this match as an easy three points, as Palace are looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at the hands of Aston Villa.

Latest from the Lane

Both Kyle Naughton and Roberto Soldado could be in-line for a recall to the starting line-up after their replacements, Vlad Chiriches and Erik Lamela, put in underwhelming performances last time out.

Emmanuel Adebayor has been officially ruled out of the contest because of a virus, although I doubt too many of us will shed any tears over this news!

Danny Rose could return to the squad after missing the last four games with a rib injury, but may find it hard to oust Welshman Ben Davies from the starting spot after the left-back’s run of good form.

Meanwhile, Pochettino confirmed that Kyle Walker’s road to recovery will continue in the U’21’s, with the intent of not rushing him back and risking further injuries.

Words of wisdom

Pochettino is hoping for a response from his players yesterday and is wary of the oppositions pace, saying: “They have very good players that run fast, like Yannick Bolasie and Marouane Chamakh. We are very focused on the game tomorrow, it’s an important three points and we’ll try to repeat the same performance that we had against Everton.

“Our style is always to play in possession of the ball and try to play in the opponents’ half, but it’s true that we need to be careful and try to administrate the ball and always finalise in the final third.

“That’s important because if we try to build from the back and we lose the ball in the middle of the pitch then maybe they will recover and go forward and we will have a problem. We need to be clever in how we manage the ball tomorrow.

“The quicker we can get back to winning ways the better. I think we’ve got a chance of doing that. That’s what we’re looking to do, and then take that momentum into the games over the Christmas period.”

Expected line-up

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

 

This is our best 11 available because theyre the only players willing to put a shift in for the manager- is it any wonder were mid table ???

100 mill splurge and this is it, the cream of our 'amazing squad'- embarrassing!

Reality check- Squad needs a major overhaul theres at least 10 players who wouldn't be missed in the slightest if they were never to play again for us.

Lacking- you name it, quality, end product, pace, width, style, bottle, ability, vision.

Blatant- its blatantly obvious that this squad dawdling about is never going to challenge with so many passengers, posers and wage thieves in it. Get rid of the deadwood once and for all, and get in some genuine end product quality in.

A good clear out and re-structure from Poch is whats needed for progress, January and the Summer needs strategic major surgery with a balanced and tailored squad ready to carry out Pochs philosophy to a tee. If this isnt done then this isnt a (endless) transitional period were in currently its just a total waste of time.

 

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

 

Good line up although I think Naughton will get the nod over Vlad for this one. I don't rate Vlad that much but he could turn out to be a half decent RB given time and a lot of patience. Also glad to see Davies get a run of games there seems to be a bit more balance and understanding with the current eleven. Don't see a place for Lamela at this moment I think Soldado was rested mid week and will be back for the home game its also ironic that after all the years of Spurs playing Lennon, replacing Lennon, playing Lennon, replacing Lennon and spending truck loads of money in the process, yes we still need little Aaron back on the wing. Bring on Chadli for a late goal 3 -0.

 

I seriously think we need to start with the same 11 as the Everton game. The team needs stability and to make changes after such a big win isn't the best idea. Bobby needs a run of games now after his goal and hopefully we can see what he can really do.

 

Last 6 years weve spent £291 million on transfers after ripping the heart and soul out the club (0 net spend) and the biggest talking point is if we should play Naughton or Chiriches at RB.

This is not a dig at our Graduates because they at least appear to give a sh;t but our current 1st team looks like a reserve/academy side. And whats worse is the collective bunch of nobodies clogging up the bench arent worth the space on the wage bill.

What a gross waste of money.

 

My expected line ups vs Crystal Palace : Lloris
Chiriches , Fazio , Vertonguen , Davies
Bentaleb , Mason
Lennon , Kane , Eriksen
Soldado