Team news and expected line-up vs Besiktas - 02/10/2014

Spurs welcome Turkish side Besiktas to White Hart Lane this Thursday night for their first home clash of the Europa League season.

Pochettino’s men travelled to Belgrade last time to play out a 0-0 draw under hostile conditions against locals Partizan, leaving them bottom on Group C thanks to Besiktas’ 1-1 draw with Asteras Tripolis.

Spurs will be buoyed after the hard-fought draw away at The Emirates at the weekend, however the fact remains that last week’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the Cup is their sole win in 6.

The opponents sit 2nd in the Turkish Süper Lig, having won 2 and drawn 2 in their opening 4, dispite scoring just 4 goals in the opening exchanges. Turkey striker Olcay Şahan has grabbed 3 of those 4 goals, while familiar face Demba Ba has failed to shine since his summer move from Chelsea.

Team News

Poch is once again expected to rotate his side for the midweek clash, as he did last week against Forest as youngsters Ryan Mason and Harry Kane etched themselves onto the scoresheet.

The former earned himself a starting place in the North London Derby with his performance and could even be rested for this weekend’s visit of Southampton.

Danny Rose limped out of the fine defensive display at Arsenal with just 8 minutes remaining, meaning he is doubtful for this one with Ben Davies set to start anyway.

Ettiene Capoue should also sit the game out after picking up a knock, and the French midfielder is likely to be replaced with his countryman Benjamin Stambouli.

Kyle Walker is still recovering from pelvic surgery, while Emmanuel Adebayor could see his position under threat after his disappointing showing on Saturday night.

One man vying for the Togo striker’s spot in the side will be Spanish striker Roberto Soldado, who joined Spurs last summer but is yet to cement his place in the side.

Soldado hit the net against Forest last week and is desperately targeting another victory this tie round:

“This game is really important for us because it’s at home and always when we play at White Hart Lane we need to win,” said the Spaniard, who has scored twice in five appearances in all competitions for us so far in 2014-15, including a qualifying strike against AEL Limassol.

“We know that Besiktas are a big team and they showed their qualities against Arsenal while playing for a place in the Champions League.”

The Turkish giants lost just 1-0 over two legs against Arsenal in the Champions League.

“Now we play them at home and we need a win after we drew 0-0 in Partizan. We want to qualify in first position in the group, so we need to win this game to get the three points.”

Expected Line-Up

Vorm; Davies Fazio Chiriches Dier; Stambouli Bentaleb; Townsend Paulinho Lennon; Kane

 

If we make too many changes every game we will not progress at any level. We need some consistency. As much as we did well to get a point against Arsenal, I hope we try to win this game.

 

Although we did not win more than 1 in 6, the only result below expected was loss to West Brom, the club that actually plays much better football than predicted (Tim should have taken the job). The rest was in accordance to the plan. Let see if Spurs will follow it and get 3 points Thursday. COYS!!

 

Vorm naughton dier verthongen Davies lamela dembele mason eriksen Townsend soldado would be more like my side.
I'm expecting something like vorm dier fazio chiri Davies bentaleb stambouli lennon Kane soldado and a poor showing and result

 

Start with lennon means starting with ten men,will he score a goal no will he cross a decent ball no will hetake a corner kick no will he take a free kick no what does he do?

 

Tough game but still think we rotate to keep the squad sharp and competitive.
Vorm
Noton, Dier, Fazio, Davies,
Stam, Mason,
Lennon, Kane, Townsend,
Soldado

 

Tonight's game will be a good indicator on whether we have a viable chance of winning the competition.

 

And the answer is no we don't. Bloody boring.