Team News and Expected Line-up vs Manchester United - 28/12/2014

We saw a hard fight in Leicester and Spurs earned a huge three points in the win over the Foxes, but Manchester United are a completely different monster.

In order to grab a win over the Red Devils, Tottenham will have to avoid those stretches where they switch off and relax and let the opposition dictate play. Something tells me that the likes of Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie, and Radamel Falcao won’t squander the many opportunities that Tottenham tends to allow their opposition.

Character

Well, Spurs have shown character, that’s for sure. Many a Tottenham team of the past would’ve wilted and be left for dead in some of the games we have seen recently. The fact that they keep fighting is testament to the team’s mentality and that of its leader.

After the win against Leicester, Mauricio Pochettino said, “We’ve showed character in every game and it’s important to keep this feeling. At the end of the game it’s important to look at a positive result because we now have to prepare for another tough match in two days time against Manchester United.”

Keeping Them Close

Spurs have had quite the time putting lesser teams away. If the Lilywhite’s should gain the lead against Man United, most Spurs fans will expect the team to continue to push forward and look to finish off the Red Devils. It seems to be better than the alternative, which appears to be holding on for dear life and getting a miracle goal to win.

After the narrow win at the King Power Stadium, Pochettino said, “You need to kill the game in this situation because the opponent starts to take a risk, has nothing to lose and that made it difficult.”

Hopefully his team will take these words to heart when they take on United.

A Fight for the Top Four

This game is pretty big when it comes to Tottenham’s top four aspirations. With West Ham and Arsenal playing each other and Southampton battling league leaders Chelsea, a win could very well see Spurs go into the top four. Now, that’s obviously easier said than done, but if Spurs could manage a win against United, it would do wonders for the confidence of the team. If there isn’t incentive in this one and Spurs come out flat, I’m not sure anything could motivate them.

Mauricio Pochettino on United: “We need this mentality to go into this game, to be brave, to try to fight in every action and try to play better than them. Manchester United are in a very good moment like us and we have a tough game ahead. We need to be clever and first to rest after a big effort at Leicester. It will be a great atmosphere, a day for all the families to enjoy and in front of us, another very good team, but we will try to get the three points.”

Game Plan

Tightness in the back and discipline in front of the back four is a crucial spot for Spurs. Defender Kyle Walker hinted at this when he said, “It’s going to be difficult against United, though. They didn’t get off to a great start this season but with the players they’ve got and as an attacking force, they are world class. Hopefully as defenders we can keep them at bay and go on to win the game.”

After having a sub-par game against Leicester, Nabil Bentaleb will have to come good and regain his form in front of the back four for Tottenham. Or was Benji Stambouli’s exit at the half against the Foxes in anticipation and rest for Manchester United? Stambouli’s tackling ability and positional awareness might be just what the doctor ordered to stifle the United attack.

Also, the combination of Roberto Soldado paired with Harry Kane could exploit the (at times this season) shaky back three of United. Consistent pressure by either Soldado or Kane could open up some lanes for the other. Plus, it seems necessary for Tottenham to gain more width in this one in order to be successful. Erik Lamela successfully taking on defenders one v one would be a great sight for Tottenham supporters.

Team News

Right now fatigue is the only concern as this is the second of three games in seven days.

Possible Line Up

Lloris; Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Stambouli, Mason, Eriksen, Chadli, Lamela; Kane.

 

Yes I hope Bentaleb does not start. He has had a poor couple of games. This would be a good starting lineup

 

lloris - Walker Fazio Vertoghen Davies- Lennon Mason Bentaleb Eriksen - Kane - Soldado
4-4-1-1

 

Would like to see Davies and Stambouli start against Utd. Should be a cracking game, just hope we really go at their back three and take our chances. If we can get our noses in front we have a great oppurtunity to make a big statement of intent. Hope Poch comes up with a positive plan to take on the Utd wing backs and back three system, if they do loose the ball high up the pitch we could be in. Be tempted to play Townsend or Lennon to get behind them. Looking forward to one of the great fixtures of EPL, even if its a very early ko ! Coys

 

Key against a bk three is always to keep your wide players high up the pitch to occupy where the full BKS should be or to keep their wing BKS.
So This is defo a game for natural wingers ie Lenny n Andros but under this nut job can't see them starting. Someone will have to nulify Rooney one v one also.
Would love to see Ramos opinions on the personality on off pitch of fazio and if he still rates the next big things in chadli n bentaleb. And what he thinks of harry Kane these days!! Talks about fans being fickle oh the irony!!

 

Not Lamela who is the only 30 mil player on the planet that konchesky could mark out a game with ease, it's literally like playing with 10 men when he's on the pitch.
I want to see a game plan, some tempo and a win that we deserve, we will not be getting out of jail vs Utd as they will bury the type of assists we give teams.
I agree with a post on another page we simply can't play Lamela Eriksen and Chadli in the same team Eriksen has proven he's the main man and should start the other 2 drift in and mainly out of games at the expense of the rest of the team.

 

If we start Bentaleb and Mason against United we will get murdered. Nabil was bad the previous game but against Leicester he was abysmal. Mason looked bad again. We had NO business collecting 3 points. We were shockingly bad. Why is nobody mentioning Dembele. He is miles better than any of the three we have been starting. Quit moaning about him not moving the ball quick enough the last few outings he obviously gets it. We would never get run over in the midfield like we did against Leicester with Moussa or Capoue out there. Why have Mason and Bentaleb become an automatic name on the game sheet neither has earned the right lately. Open your eyes and realize what is happening. If Poch does not recognize how bad our midfield has been in the last two matches and make a change we are finished. COYS !!!!!!!

 

Both teams are probably due a loss. So a 2-2 draw then

 

Two points would be a great return from these two games but I can't see us getting anything to be honest. Our recent results merely gloss over poor performances.
If we play as we did against Leicester, then we could get stuffed in both games.

 

Lloris
Walker Fazio Jan Davies
Capoue Dembele
Lennon Eriksen Chadli
Kane

 

Yes, Lamela, Chadli, Eriksen in the starting X1 = football suicide. Eriksen provides an attacking threat which excuses his defensive shortcomings, the other two are not good enough going forward and non-existent defensively.

 

Can i just say aswell that Character and Luck are 2 totally different things that should not be confused here with the performances of late.

 

Well after seeing our team selection we are going to get spanked

 

Going to get spanked eh??? (well having just watched the game we should have!!) Lady luck is certainly shining on us at the moment. Ben Davies is looking a quality player. Ten out of ten for team endeavor........no serious injuries........a clean sheet (don't quite know how), Kane still rockin.........have to say that was a satisfactory game over all.