Team news, game plan and expected line-up against Anderlecht

Spurs have entered that part of the Europa League schedule where they should take the points and win the group. Anything less than seven points from nine should be seen as a disappointment. That kind of haul should ensure that Spurs win the group and avoid the more difficult teams in the draw for the final 32. It all starts on Thursday at White Hart Lane against Anderlecht.

Last Time

Hey, didn’t we just play these guys? Yep, and it didn’t go well. Spurs came out and dominated the first ten or fifteen minutes, got a goal to show for it and honestly could’ve had more. But, Anderlecht scored an early goal against the run of play, and it was heads down from there. A languid and listless remaining 70 minutes from Tottenham ensued, and the Belgians came away justified winners.

Quotes from the Players/Coaches

Jan Vertonghen on getting better (let’s hope they can do it in Europe too): “I think we’re learning from our mistakes at the beginning of the season”

Eric Dier on Anderlecht this time and two weeks ago: “Anderlecht are a good side and if we let them, they’ll hurt us. In the away game we were the better team in the first half but we were sloppy on a set piece and then let them back into the game, so it’s up to us not to let them hurt us this time.”

Dier on not looking ahead to Arsenal: “Every game is difficult in the Europa League so we’re going to have to be at 100 per cent. It’s a massive game for us because we need to win to get back into a good position in the group so it’s very important that we focus only on this game, hopefully we’ll get the result and then we can look ahead to the weekend and the derby at Arsenal.”

Game Plan

Spurs have to come out and be the aggressors. A quality starting XI (sprinkled with a few squad players?) is essential as this game, on paper, should be the easier of the two home matches, but Mauricio Pochetinno will always have one eye on the North London Derby on Sunday, but will the players? Or will they have two? Focus could be key.

To me, it’s of the utmost importance that Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies actually show up and play the kind of football that they were expected to play when they were brought to White Hart Lane. They’ve been poor, and the way that Spurs play dictates that the wing defenders provide width, pace, accurate crosses, as well as good defending. The combination of Trippier and Davies has given none of that to Spurs. It’s time to repay the promise for these two.

Team News

Clinton Njie, Nacer Chadli, and Nabil Bentaleb are all still out with injuries. Apparently, Federico Fazio is as well, but no one has noticed. Danny Rose left the Villa match with a slight injury.
Andros Townsend has been fined and banished from the Tottenham squad after his clash with a club fitness coach.

Probable Starting XI

Lloris; Trippier, Wimmer, Vertonghen, Davies; Mason, Carroll, Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela; Son

If this is the starting XI, I would limit Vertonghen, Dembele, and Eriksen to under 60 minutes with possible substitutions of Dier/Alderweireld, Onomah/Alli. Run the other seven field players into the ground as they probably won’t be needed except in a small role against Arsenal.

Prediction

That game in Brussels was a debacle, but I think Spurs will come out on the front foot, and stay there. Prediction: Spurs 2-0 Anderlecht.

 

Focus has to be on arsenal game. Shame Townsend has done what he did, because it'd have been a great chance to let him run off some steam. Boosted by the return of Son, who could feature, but I would hope key players will be rested. I'd go with Lloris, Walker, Wimmer, Alderweireld, Davies, Alli, Dembele, Lamela, Onomah, N'Jie, Son. Limit Alli, Dembele, and Son's playing time - go all out in the first half an hour, hopefully be 2/3 up at half time and save our best players for Arsenal. That's the plan, anyway - I'm going, so hoping for a decent game.

 

Last season in somewhat similar circumstances Spurs decided to dress a stronger side for Wembley tie. We lost both games and exited Europa.
I agree, gooners' squad deserves attention, but we will be a defending side on their pitch, so I would keep Kane on the bench Sunday, while starting him against Anderlecht. Son should replace Harry for the last 3rd Thursday (short play is what Poch do to those coming off injuries) and then start Sunday. His speed should serve well the counter attack plan Spurs must employ for NLD. Alli is needed for attack Thursday, while not so much Sunday. At his age he should not be affected by tiredness at all. So he could start both games, but definitely against Anderlecht.
Anyway, given the lesson learnt last season the strongest XI will start Thursday:

Lloris, Walker, Tobi, Vert, Rose, Dier, Alli, Eriksen, Onomah, Lamela, Kane

Sunday:

Lloris, Trippier, Tobi, Vert, Davies, Mason, Alli, Eriksen, Dembele, Lamela, Son

 

Ali and Mason in central mid on Sun and Kane on the bench , jeez i hope your wrong , wouldn't be in love with that idea .. Think Dier and Kane will and should start both games .. Break for internationals coming up after so i think we,ll prob pick strongest side for both ...

 

Not sure about seven points from the remaining three games - we shall be sending the youth team to Baku, maybe even the ladies (all due respect). Six points gets us through and we don't have a cup final to worry about for the next round.
Winning is addictive. A strong team tomorrow and we shall go south of the Thames with confidence - a poor team and poor result tomorrow and we will not be looking good for Sunday.

 

We were p;ss poor away to this lot so an improvement is a must. Team needs to be switched on defensively and we need the fringe players to work coherently with the system and 1st team players.

A mature solid performance from both players and manager to get the result not risking too much for the Game v scum.

Got an all dayer b4 hand looking forward to it!

COYS!!!

 

Get the points in the skip!! Lloris trippier Davies Jan Toby. Dembele mason eriksen lamela son Kane.

 

Well the result in the other game was favourable so now's our chance to put ourselves back in control of this group .. C.O.Y.S .....