Team news and expected line-up vs Everton: Hunting down the Toffeemen

As the new year dawns, our campaign resumes following a gutsy fight at the end of 2015 against Watford, concluded by an exquisite moment of poetic improvisation from Heung Min son that provided a well deserved victory.

Forging forward into 2016, as the clock strikes 16.00 on Sunday 3rd January, we face Everton at Goodison park in the hardest fought, most unpredictable league in the world.

Everton have stumbled into a run of 5 games without a victory, winning only 3 of their last 12 games and as such go into the new year a wounded animal in their own back yard, ready to bite back in resilience, or crumble under further punishment.

The animal has teeth, in the form of powerful man mountain striker Romelu Lukaku and skilful street fighter Ross Barkley, both having proved the difference in the games Everton have succeeded in; Lukaku scoring in 5 of his last games played at Goodison and Barkley scoring 6 and assisting 7 so far this season, more than his previous 4 premier league seasons combined (10).

Everton’s mercurial manager Roberto Martinez has stated in the press in the last couple of days that he believes Tottenham have the capability of winning the league this season, with the possible intention of either causing some complacency within the lilywhite ranks, or laying an apologetic foundation in anticipation of a loss to a team he can refer to at a later date as potential champions. Option C of course, is that he just gave an honest answer to a question that anyone following Tottenham this season couldn’t deny…

We are, after all, a serious threat to all of our opponents as the steady progression of our young, dynamic squad continues to snowball as potential becomes end product. The togetherness of the squad is there for all to see and our flair players are showing more and more glimpses of sheer brilliance as Dele Alli nutmegs all-comers, Son mid-air back heels winning goals and Erik Lamela has made strides towards fulfilling the large price tag he was signed for.

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Most importantly though, our defence has been consistently tough to break down this season with a steely back five and the mighty Eric Dier intercepting and shutting teams down at the back, whilst the attacking players have pressed and hunted down the opposition like men possessed up and down the field, causing mistakes, give aways and confusion for our lads to capitalise on.

I expect our lads to continue back into the valley they have carved so far this season, charging back into the fray against Everton with a solid, controlled passing display and a frenetic pressing ethos to ensure the away victory.

Last season, 16 of Harry Kanes’ 21 premier league goals came after the New Year and I expect him to do even better this time round. It is no great secret that we need to sign a player suitable to back up our very own wonder striker, but for the time being, if he keeps putting in the performances he has thus far this season, I think he will do us just fine.

If our centre back pairing of Toby and Super Jan bring their best games, I see no reason why Lukaku will get much of a chance to hurt us, they both know him well from the Belgian national team setup and should therefore be prepared to deal with him come matchday.

Team News

We go into Sundays game with the in form Moussa Dembele and soon to breakthrough attacking midfielder Alex Pritchard unavailable for selection due to injuries, with Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb and Tom Carroll all available for selection if necessary. All bring their own brand of ability to the table and although Dembele’s shoes are going to be tough to fill following a run of stellar performances, all three are more than capable of bringing a high work rate and passionate attitude to the game. Clinton N’jie is still out of contention with a long term injury recently sustained.

Everton are without their workhorse James McCarthy (hip injury), with Tom Cleverly looking doubtful due to an Achilles issue. Phil Jagielka, former albeit brief stint Spurs man Steven Piennar and Brian Oviedo are all possible to feature in the game as they return to fitness following respective injuries.

As touched on earlier, when Everton boss Martinez was asked whether he believed Tottenham were capable of mounting a serious title challenge this season his response was positive for Tottenham:

‘Why not? If anything this season is about consistency and whichever team is able to be consistent in the second half of the season will have a great opportunity to achieve a really, really good ending to the campaign.’

‘Spurs have a strong squad, a large squad, they’re competing in Europe. They’ve got a strong mentality as a group and I don’t see them losing any sort of energy or focus over the next few months.’

‘It’s not surprising to me how consistent they’ve been and how difficult they are to play against. I expect Tottenham to have a stronger second half of the campaign, that’s why we’ll have to be at our best.’

Our own masterful leader, Mauricio Pochettino, opted to avoid any in depth discussion of Everton’s chances, instead concentrating on how important the next run of games will be in our quest for a great finish this season:

‘We need to arrive in the last ten games with the possibility to fight for the objectives.’
‘The next nine, ten games will maybe mark the possibility of how we can finish in the table.’
‘We are very quiet, we believe in ourselves, we are very confident and in football a lot can happen. We believe.’
‘The only way we cannot achieve all that we can in football is if we stop working hard.’

Predicted line up

I would expect our boys to line up against Everton as follows:
Lloris(c), Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Dier, Alli, Lamela, Eriksen, Son, Kane

In conclusion, I expect our boys to hunt down the ball up and down the field and launch regular, blistering attacks to shatter and eventually destroy the Toffee men of Everton.

If you couldn’t already tell, I’m a bit excited about Sunday and our exceptional squad of lilywhite warriors’ first game of 2016, because I see it as the beginning of a year where we might actually do something incredible…..

Come On You Spurs!

 

It was a shame that we had to use Eriksen last week he really need'ed the rest,apart from that it is a good line up...COYS..

 

Poch clearly refers to favorable EPL schedule for Spurs. In the next 9 games only Leicester represent current top 4. Only in 10th game there will be a tie with "perennial top 4 club" ManCity. Less than 20 points for those matches would be a disappointment. Spurs, if perform steadily, could be close to 60 point by February end. COYS!

 

With Scum n both Mancs winning today its vital we keep up the pace. Everton are a decent out fit with some power and quality for me its got draw written all over it, but would be great if we could pick up a convincing 3 points.

COYS !!!

 

Happy new year all, agree with the line up and ok with Alli dropping deeper to allow Son and Eriksen to do the fancy stuff,I think its a good time to give Son a decent run to see what he's got in him. Toffees very tough would love to see us continue this good run.

 

Trippier may have chance to start. He was superb going forward against Watford

 

If Trippier and Son step up and play as they can then we will have no problem today, it is important to start well and have them on the back foot,I just hope Eriksen has his game cap on we can not continue to carry him..COYS..

 

Definitely a tough game today but one we should approach with optimism. Given yesterday's results, a win is really necessary to put us in a strong position. It can be done; Everton look out of sorts at the back and that must be exploited today.

Clearly their main threats lay with Lukaku and Barkley. So, Jan/Toby and Eric/Delli will need to double up when needed and nullify both players. Going forward we can certainly cause them plenty of problems. As long as we keep a tight coordinated unit when pressing/defending and break in numbers, at pace, we should be too strong.

Let's hope Son gets a deserved start. I think he will fit in very well once he has match fitness. Great work rate and attitude.

Anyhow, Palace/Chelski draw and a Spurs win - perfect Sunday.

COYS keep the form!

 

I agree about Son,if he can get back to where he was before his injury he will be a great player for the team he has a flair about him and an eye for goal he just need's time..COYS..

 

My concern is that Eriksen does not start from the left with the threat of Coleman on the overlap. I'd be tempted to start with lamela there and son from the right. Eriksen possibly get left out to add some more steal in the shape of bentaleb or mason if deemed fit enough.

 

The way Eriksen has drifted out of games any thing would be better,Mason need's game time and is hungry so should do the job..

 

Gonna need fighters today in the centre of the park, a midfield trio of Alli Dier and Mason would be ideal imo

 

Good call re. Coleman; we need to track him to cut off the supply to Lukaku. He can deliver a mean cross and I would be concerned that Eriksen won't track back and put his foot in sufficiently. However, I'm sure Rose will!

You either slot Eriksen behind Kane today, or bench him and introduce him 60/65mins if the game is still tight.

As for Nabil, he ain't match fit and is suspect when in possession! For me, I would only look to bring him on if we are looking to protect a lead and need to thicken up the midfield...

 

We will need fighter's ALL over the pitch today,Eriksen should be on the bench,he is a fantastic player but of late has gone cold, he will NOT track back,Mason has grit and will fight for his place,Eriksen thinks it is his by right.....COYS

 

I would definitely select Trippier - no point letting that bit of confidence go stale and it would be good for Walker to know that he has to fight for his place.
Davies gets my vote on the left - he just has more common sense than Rose. I also hope that we don't go for that extra man in central defence again - I thought that caused the confusion that resulted in the Watford goal last week.
Let's go for it - no reason to settle for a point this afternoon.