The Perfect Europa League Line-up

Tottenham had some much needed time off over the weekend and now must focus its attention on the Europa League. The question remains as to who should take the pitch for the Lilywhites when ACF Fiorentina comes to town.

A Complete Second Squad

An argument can be made that Spurs have been playing well and that real progress is being made on the pitch, so why mess with something that works, especially when there is such a long layoff? While many may argue this, I believe that Tottenham’s “second” squad members need to play in this fixture in order to stay fresh. Replace them all except Lloris. We have the squad to do it.

Up Top

Give Harry Kane a rest. This is the perfect time to do it. With a key league clash against West Ham and the League Cup final on the horizon, we need a fresh Harry Kane. I believe that Roberto Soldado needs to see some playing time and the two Europa League ties would be a fine showcase for the Spaniard. He and Emmanuel Adebayor could test their partnership in a 4-4-2 formation against the Italians, giving Spurs a backup option to Kane.

In the Middle

No one will argue that Eriksen, Lamela, Mason, Bentaleb, and Dembele have been solid recently in the middle of the pitch. But, this midweek fixture against the Italians is the perfect time to make some changes. Midfielders Benji Stambouli, Etienne Capoue, Paulinho, and Andros Townsend should also be given this chance to regain their first choice status with Pochettino. While this wouldn’t offer much width, the current starting 11 features only one true wide man, Lamela, and he drifts inside all the time. Townsend’s speed should pose problems for the Italians.

If more width is desired, drop Adebayor, and Nacer Chadli could come into the side, changing the formation from a 4-4-2 back to a 4-5-1. It might actually be the perfect game to reintroduce the Belgian into the starting XI. I’d like to see him feature in the League Cup final and a few “warm up” games against top competition will help his chances.

It’s a shame that DeAndre Yedlin is not on the player list for the Europa League. It could give DeAndre Yedlin a chance to test his wares in the wide midfield position as a substitute. I know Pochettino has stated that Yedlin is a work in progress, but I for one, would love to at least see the young American in the 18 against Fiorentina. I wish he were made available.

The Back Four

In defence, Federico Fazio could and should see a return against the Serie A outfit whilst Younes Kaboul could also see a return. The two fullbacks should also be switched giving Ben Davies a chance to shine and Vlad Chiriches a chance to show that he is a viable option as a backup right back. I’ve thought Chiriches has been serviceable on the right side, and Nacer Chadli would provide good cover for this game.

Suggested Line-up and Substitutes

Team: Lloris; Chiriches, Fazio, Kaboul, Davies; Townsend, Stambouli, Capoue, Chadli, Paulinho; Soldado,

Subs: Vorm; Walker, Vertonghen, Dier, Eriksen, Lamela, Adebayor

If a completely changed team trains and practices together for the next several days, I see no reason why a team arranged in this manner couldn’t be successful against Fiorentina. In Europe, Spurs generally get more time on the ball, which serves players like Stambouli and Capoue quite well.

With many important league clashes and the League Cup Final on the horizon, Pochettino will have to be creative in his player selection in the following weeks. The success of our season could depend on it.

 

What Tosh we need to win this and we need to win the Eiropa league if we want CL next season. So has to be Walker, Fazio, Verts, Davies, Stambouli, Mason, Lamela, Erickson, Chadli, KANE!

 

Like the team. But please, no Kaboul!

 

Dnoll you must be of american/italian heritage and secretly want Fiorentina to win to pick the worst Spurs eleven possible ! With the exception of Hugo,who would have a busy night, i dont see much top top talent in the side. If we want to progress in the Europa league, which to win would be a spectacular achievement for our club, our best eleven is required. Coys

 

I have stated many times that our second string team is nowhere near good enough and therefore we must play our strongest squad as winning the Europa league gets us into the Champions league and I still think we will finish outside the top four. No risks can be taken

 

1 or 2 changes yes but put the entire 2nd string out as we start approaching the business end of the competition is just ridiculous.
We shouldve bought in the window to replace this second string of utter dross then maybe we could talk about rotation sensibly.
Our second team arent good enough not even all of our first team are but uve gotta put a strong team out to take a win to hold onto for the 2nd leg, fiorentina are a technically good side so were gona have to be switched on and commited these atributes dont register with 70% of our amazing squad.

 

I'm only suggesting alternate lineups for the Fiorentina fixtures, and obviously, it could change in any direction, positive or negative, after the first leg. After the first of March, we'll only be in two comps, so I expect a full strength squad out there in all games if we are still in the last 16.

 

Was u under the influence writing this article or is it an early April fools lol.... Vorm walker fazio vertonghen Davies dembele mason Townsend eriksen chadli Kane with dier lamela and bentaleb coming on if needed..

 

STRONG STRONG TEAM !!! FFs real chance of winning this thing, and we all know what that gets us, I would play our strongest possible team to hopefully go 2 or 3 nil up then take off the likes of Ericksen & Kane, besides if we get a reasonable lead from the first leg without them scoring we can make some adjustments out there for the second leg which is just 3 days before our showdown with that mob from the second hand fridge COYS !!

 

“2 or 3 nil up ” You expecting us to keep a clean sheet then .. Hope you are right but the form book says thats highly unlikly ..

 

Dnoll5 its always good to hear fresh views, and dont let our sour opinions put you off voicing your valid perspective. Spurs family ! Coys

 

Problem is our alternatives ****!

 

stevethespur- no worries, mate! It's getting people talking!

And isn't it true that many of the players in this purely hypothetical lineup have individually had some really great games in Spurs shirts? Capoue, Stambouli, Townsend, Fazio, Chadli, and Kaboul have done so this season alone!

 

We need to play our strongest team for the home leg and hope that can do the biz and virtually put the tie beyond Fiorentina, so that we can go over there and leave our best players at home in readiness to play in the final against the Chelski on the Sunday - It would be superb to put in a performance like we did on new years day and even better to win and still be in the Europa league in a strong position to hopefully win it and be in the CL next season. Although at this moment I'm not writing off us reaching the CL places in the league at the end of the season.

 

One of the few games I actually see at WHL, this one. Can't wait!
Would love to see the strong best possible team minus Kane, Eriksen, Mason Bentaleb and Verts. These 5 simply must rest for west ham. Chadli, Dier, Lamela, Soldado, I'd love to see them start. Must support Bobby too, hopefully he'll find some form in EL if nothing else

 

As far as rotation goes I think we need to be looking at the next 4 games in 2 weeks with a view of putting out a strong and fit team for Wembley. I'm all for a sensible rotation policy, especially in the early season and group stages, id rather see a weaker side going off to the far reaches of Europe even if they make hard work of it to keep the squad match fit and keen. It also sorts out who is and who isn't ready to slot into the first team when needed. But at this stage of the season the stakes are much higher and we need to put out strong teams especially in this next home game. Having said that we also need to protect certain players from burnout and niggling injury with a cup final coming up. Its absolutely essential in this first leg of the tie to put out our best and get a win and then rest a few for the return game played only a few days before the cup final. I'm not going to bother trying to pick teams for the next 4 matches but for me I don't see Benteleb and Mason having the legs to carry us through 4 games in 2 weeks and will definitely need to be rotated at some point with players like Stambouli and Dembele. Players like Davies and Fazio could do with some time on pitch and as far as the second leg in Italy goes I don't want to see Kane or Eriksen anywhere near it. Credit to Poch he's given most in the squad plenty of time and opportunity to prove themselves already this season, now he needs to keep the wheels turning and put out a fit and hungry team for Wembley.

 

Really don't understand the concept of playing an even slightly weakened team. We need to make sure we have a lead to take to Italy especially as after the second leg we have the League Cup Final. If we have a two or three goal lead we can make some changes and rest Kane and Eriksen but not at home in the first leg. Crazy idea.

You are right to say that after the 1st March we could only be in two competitions, but if we go down the weakened team route before hosting an out of form Spammers, we might only be in one, which could very likely end in disappointment. Foolish to consider weakening at any point. And there is no way Kaboul should be allowed anywhere near the first team.

 

What possible reason would you want to prioritise the West Ham game? We could finish top 4 but it's the least likely or important right now. I think it's naive to think we can finish 4th to the detriment of trying to win the Europa League. And after 9 days off they should be rested enough to play two home games in a row.

How would you feel if we lose on Thursday and then don't beat Wet Spam, have to play a strong team in Florence and get stuffed by Chelsea. Just for the sake of trying to guarantee 3 points. Madness

 

I think you are correct that this may be an opportunity to rest a few regulars and get some game time for those with the potential to help out down the stretch. That said, playing Adebayor is like playing with 10 men. He has nothing left to offer and just drags the team down. He should never again play for Spurs.

 

And we are to suppose Fiorentina will oblige by fielding their second team? Oh give me a break. None of the next four games is easy enough to fiddle with second strings. Pick four or five top subs and try to regulate each player's minutes.