Team news and expected line-up vs Burnley - 05/01/2015

Spurs will look to continue their fine form when they travel to Turf Moore to take on a rejuvenated Burnley side, who have only lost three times in their last ten games after a terrible start to the season, in the third round of the FA Cup.

We started the year in the best possible way by beating arguably the best team in the Premiership, Chelsea, 5-3. We haven’t lost a match in the league since we lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the 3rd of December and hopefully we carry our league form into the Cup.

Team News

Sadly, key player Nabil Bentaleb will not be available for the next month because he has joined up with Algeria for the African Cup of Nations. This is a huge loss for the team as Bentaleb has been extremely important in midfield this season. His midfield partner, Ryan Mason, is doubtful with a hamstring injury and Lamela is also set to miss out with a calf injury.

Pochettino may rest several first team players after the hectic Christmas period. Some fringe players may start and it may be their last time to impress because Pochettino is looking to sell a number of players this month.

The Opposition

Burnley may also rest first team players because the Christmas period has hit the small squad with a lot of injuries. In their last match vs Newcastle they had to make all of their substitutions in the first half all due to injuries.

If Danny Ings plays, he will be the biggest threats to Tottenham’s goal along with his strike partner Ashley Barnes who are both in great form.

Pre-match quotes

Pochettino has expressed his delight in how the team is playing:
“I think that we are very happy with what the team showed against Chelsea,"
"The team are starting to show what we want to see."

Andros Townsend desperately wants to start vs Burnley to cement his place as a Spurs regular:
I’ve played the last two Premier League games. I cannot remember the last time I did that. I’m not looking for a rest and I want to play every game I can and stake a claim for a regular place.

Harry Kane has said that the players will not get carried away after their performance vs Chelsea:
“We all enjoyed the win against Chelsea but we won’t get carried away,”“We’ll keep our feet on the ground and look forward to this game. “We want to do well in all competitions and Burnley away will be a tough tie for us.

Paulinho:
“We have to be focused and ready for whatever Burnley throw at us.
“It will be a hard game because when we played them in the league they gave us a difficult match.
“Burnley are a good side so we’ll have to go there, focus and enjoy the game like we did against Chelsea.
“We can go on a run in the FA Cup – we have to help each other out on the pitch and if we do that then we can go a long way in every cup competition.”

Predicted line-up

Vorm; Dier – Kaboul – Chiriches – Davies; Stambouli – Dembele; Townsend – Paulinho – Lennon; Soldado

 

If that's our lineup, we are going out of the cup.

 

Any line-up that is put there by Mauricio will play out of their skin so they get picked for next premier lge game! I,m optimistic . The squad is picking up now and that is good news on all competitions.

The one I,ll be watching particularly is Moussa ,because if this man works harder on self improvement he can move up to world class. Chadli fellow Belgian is showing the courage needed. I think we will go through.

 

would like to see yedlin get some game time off the bench maybe, and also would like to see ceballos given an opportunity!

 

Dier is a Center Back, let him have an opportunity. Many have much to prove in this one/fighting to stay at the Club. Play them. Townsend, Lennon, Paulinho play them!

Hard to imagine not playing Kane and Eriksen though!

 

Indeed - ceballos looks a player n i reckon we will regret letting him go

 

Completely agree. That back 4 is a shambles. Expect Dembele to give his usual insipid display, nothing like he did against Chelsea.

 

I'm sorry but i'm just not having that. 'The back four is a shambles'?

Davies would normally start. Kaboul is an experienced well travelled professional not to mention Club Captain, but lets not get into that debate). Chriches has had some bad games but equally i've seen him play very well, i recall Man United away last season and he was Man of the Match (on TV) when we won 1 -2.
http://www.spursodyssey.com/spursometer/010114.html

Furthermore, if you look at this;

http://www.spursodyssey.com/spursometer/season1314.html

This is grades per player for last season. He was down as our BEST centre back. Now thats an average of roughly 300/400 season tickets and members who vote on games they go to every week. Its an accurate guide.

Then Dier at Right back, perhaps a risk. But early on this season the guy could do no wrong in attack or defence. (Maybe Walker for me if fit).

I'm not worried at all by the goalie or back 4. The real question is, can the team create without say Kane, Erikson or perhaps, Chadli.

Thats what we need to address, and that specific question needs to be answered.

If the answer is no, clearly we need to strengthen in those areas cos to rely on specific individuals is bad management.

Let these guys play for their shirts, play for their futures and prove to us all they deserve to be in the squad.


COYS!