Team v Juventus

[ohtottenham!]

You are trying to justify making an awful lot of changes to a side that has just dominated Yanited, Pool and Arsenal.

Why would anyone in their right mind do that?

The only things up for debate imo is whether Toby comes in and we play a back three or keep it as a traditional back four, and possibly Wanyama in for Dier(but that would be harsh imo)

Plenty of games coming up for the returners to get up to speed, after this one, until then we should stick with the team that has clearly been working against quality opposition.

I like a back three against Juve away, minimize the aerial threat of Manzukic and Higuain as much as we can. At the other end, Chielini and Barzagli will have their hands full dealing with Kane's movement up front, and his sheer physical threat and presence in the box. If Alli's at his predatory best, we at least push them onto the back foot at their home. Also, think our CM options match up well with theirs.

They'll also be choking Erikssen's supply lines, and will be getting bodies on him, but that'll leave other bodies, like Dembele with more freedom. We ain't an easy team to defend against! Juve do that better than anyone, but they'll have their work cut out. This will be cat and mouse over both legs. Whichever team takes its chances wins.

 

[dontsalebale]

You don't rotate your two preferred full-backs in the knockout stages of the Champions League. I'd be amazed if Aurier starts.

Unless poch goes with a definite back 5 ala real and Liverpool home and try to encourage Juve to have procession. Aurier or Rose might be tempting in that scenario. Although knowing Poch he will return to type and expect our supreme athletes to run them down like dogs.

 

[zoneD]

...has Poch abandoned the 3-at-the-back, or is he waiting for Toby to be fully fit?
...I think we need to be disciplined in our approach - this lot are no mugs and could embarrass us with the rope-a-dope...
...also not sure if Dembele is fit enough to start again so soon...

——————-Lloris———————
Alderweireld - Sanchez - Vertonghen
__Aurier - Dier - Dembele - Rose___
————--Eriksen - Dele—————-
———————Kane———————

COYS

 

[thinktank]

You are trying to justify making an awful lot of changes to a side that has just dominated Yanited, Pool and Arsenal.

Why would anyone in their right mind do that?

The only things up for debate imo is whether Toby comes in and we play a back three or keep it as a traditional back four, and possibly Wanyama in for Dier(but that would be harsh imo)

Plenty of games coming up for the returners to get up to speed, after this one, until then we should stick with the team that has clearly been working against quality opposition.

Not much of an answer to my question.

Anyway, I'm not justifying anything; I'm showing the reasoning behind the choices I've made.

The only real change I've made that has any real risk is bringing in winks, and I think that risk is moderate.

All the other players, bar Toby and Rose, have been involved in our recent run.

Rose is still the defensive pick for this, for me, and fine to start this and enable us to stabilise, and Toby would come in and be a boss, like he invariably is, whether coming back from injury or not.

His calm control in the back line would be a huge asset.

Not getting very far with you offering any insight to your stance, so let's leave it there.

Cheers.

 

[Giovanni]

Unless poch goes with a definite back 5 ala real and Liverpool home and try to encourage Juve to have procession. Aurier or Rose might be tempting in that scenario. Although knowing Poch he will return to type and expect our supreme athletes to run them down like dogs.

Correct answer. 4231 high octane for the full 95mins.

 

[kr1978]

How we all feeling about dembeles fitness to do another game?

Can’t see it but would be great if he can, he has been absolutely immense the last couple of weeks-The Dembele we all know and love

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I would seriously think about starting Lamela in this game, his energy, recent form and experience of playing away against Juve go a long way. Saying that I’m not sure who I would drop for him. I certainly wouldn’t even consider starting Moura. But ether way I think we need to press them and we will have a day less to prep for this one so who ever is fittest. Aside from that I would probably play Vic for Dier and Aurier for Trips, again for fitness reasons. Will be interesting to see if Poch goes with Davies or Rose, ether choice wouldn’t surprise. Despite Juves inevitable impressive change of form, they had been really poor (for them)for much of the first half of the season, I still think we could beat them as long as none of our players are feeling even slightly jaded. The last few weeks must have been incredible taxing both physical and mentally that clever rotation at this point becomes essential.

 

[dontsalebale]

I would seriously thinks about starting Lamela in this game, his energy, recent form and experience of playing away against Juve go a long way. Saying that I’m not sure who I would drop for him. I certainly wouldn’t even consider starting Moura. But ether way I think we need to press them and we will have a day less to prep for this one so who ever is fittest. Aside from that I would probably play Vic for Dier and Aurier for Trips, again for fitness reasons. Will be interesting to see if Poch goes with Davies or Rose, ether choice wouldn’t surprise. Despite Juves inevitable impressive change of form, they had been really poor (for them)for much of the first half of the season, I still think we could beat them as long as none of our players are feeling even slightly jaded. The last few weeks must have been incredible taxing both physical and mentally that clever rotation at this point becomes essential.

I would tell Deli that if he responded to the juve dark arts/ gamesmanship I would drop him for the next 3 games. They are gonna target him.

 

[thefierycamel]

Is dembele fit enough to play this? Think there's a big chance it will be winks in midfield next to victor.

 

[yankspurs]

I would tell Deli that if he responded to the juve dark arts/ gamesmanship I would drop him for the next 3 games. They are gonna target him.

Im not sure id drop him for the nex 3 games if he responds. He’s too important a player. But I agree that they will for sure target him

 

[yankspurs]

Is dembele fit enough to play this? Think there's a big chance it will be winks in midfield next to victor.

There is zero chance Winks starts this game. He has not played sincre returning from injury.

 

[We'llWinThePrem]

Lloris
Aurier Sanchez Vertonghen Davies
Dier Dembele
Eriksen
Dele Son
Kane

Vorm Trippier Rose Wanyama Lamela Lucas Llorente​

 

[dondo]

Is dembele fit enough to play this? Think there's a big chance it will be winks in midfield next to victor.

Can’t see winks playing will be 2/3 of dier dembele wanyama imo

 

[Adam456]

It would be quite a poke in the eye to drop the Moose, even if it is felt that he might not be 100% recovered. You have to reward players sometimes I think and he deserves to start.

I have no problem with him coming off after 60 and letting big Vic close the game out

 

[bubble07]

Lloris
Aurier Sanchez Vertonghen Davies
Dier Dembele
Lamela Eriksen Son
Kane

Subs: Vorm Rose Wanyama Dele Moura Son Llorente

 

[buttons]

Dembele will have nearly two weeks before our next PL game after Juve, so he starts for me, as does everyone else from Saturday, with the only possible exception being Toby in for Sanchez.

 

[ChristianBaler]

Dembele will have nearly two weeks before our next PL game after Juve, so he starts for me, as does everyone else from Saturday, with the only possible exception being Toby in for Sanchez.

not traveling

 

[buttons]

not traveling

Oh really? Missed that. How come?

No exceptions then, in that case!

 

[ShaunL84]

What an absolute shambles. The biggest game of the season and our best defender is at home.

If he doesn't want to sign a new contract, use him until the Summer and sell him to the highest bidder.

 

[buttons]

What an absolute shambles. The biggest game of the season and our best defender is at home.

If he doesn't want to sign a new contract, use him until the Summer and sell him to the highest bidder.

Or he could be working on his fitness at home...