Team v Monaco

[Spursidol]

It'd be nice to see full rotation, and see some of the other guys get a run out. But that said, if Poch thinks the best think is to keep largely the same team, then that's fine by me. He knows what he's doing and I trust him.

If Poch had rotated one or two players in most of the previous games, I'd be fine with him only rotating/resting a few players for this match.

But because he's pretty much kept the same team together (injuries permitting) some of the players look jaded, and tbh could do with a 2 week rest (which I doubt is going to happen) that's why I'd like to see extensive rotation - tiredness from playing a high intensity press is cumulative - doing it for weeks at a time catches up with people.

If you look at the Southampton forums from when Poch was there, he was criticised for that reason in about the January/February/March time period for not rotating in the previous autumn.

So it a question of whether Poch has learnt from his previous team choices over past years

 

[spurs mental]

I think Onomah and Townsend may start, but I think Hugo and one of Jan or Toby will likely play, alongside Wimmer. Davies and Trippier will play, hopefully with Carroll and maybe Bentaleb if he's able for 60 minutes.

Njie or Son up front, Kane, Eriksen, Lamela and Alli all on the bench for emergencies only. And by emergency I mean in case we might not win the group. Important to get a favourable draw in the first knockout stages.

Hugo
Trippier Wimmer Jan Davies
Bentaleb Carroll
Townsend Son Onomah
Njie

​

 

[Lilbaz]

I think Onomah and Townsend may start, but I think Hugo and one of Jan or Toby will likely play, alongside Wimmer. Davies and Trippier will play, hopefully with Carroll and maybe Bentaleb if he's able for 60 minutes.

Njie or Son up front, Kane, Eriksen, Lamela and Alli all on the bench for emergencies only. And by emergency I mean in case we might not win the group. Important to get a favourable draw in the first knockout stages.

Hugo
Trippier Wimmer Jan Davies
Bentaleb Carroll
Townsend Son Onomah
Njie

​

Might as well put in fazio or ccv.

 

[Spursidol]

#thfc Poch: "Maybe if you compare with the game against Qarabag there will be some changes, but not too much."

Whats the point of a big squad eh?

Looks like we should look at the team fielded against Qarabag and make 2 or 3 changes from that. Way less than I would have hoped for but Poch couldn't be more specific.

Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris (c), Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Mason (Carroll 72), Alli, Eriksen (Onomah 90+1), Son (Clinton 80); Kane. Substitutes (not used): Vorm, Wimmer, Townsend, Winks.

Mason clearly cannot play so that's one change, so maybe rest one other and hope he subs a couple of the other players who have been over-played (I'd suggest Kane and Eriksen - CB's don't expend much energy by comparison with others, but its tough on Alderweireld and Vertonghen who have played all games except about two - and Wimmer will not be up to speed if - god forbid - either were injured).

 

[Silky Skills]

Andros won't wear a first team shirt again

 

[nicdic]

If Poch had rotated one or two players in most of the previous games, I'd be fine with him only rotating/resting a few players for this match.

But because he's pretty much kept the same team together (injuries permitting) some of the players look jaded, and tbh could do with a 2 week rest (which I doubt is going to happen) that's why I'd like to see extensive rotation - tiredness from playing a high intensity press is cumulative - doing it for weeks at a time catches up with people.

If you look at the Southampton forums from when Poch was there, he was criticised for that reason in about the January/February/March time period for not rotating in the previous autumn.

So it a question of whether Poch has learnt from his previous team choices over past years

He has rotated more than one or two in the previous games. We've at least changed the full backs in EL games, and usually have made at least another change.

I don't think we look jaded. We performed below what we're capable of against WBA, and Chelsea parked the bus. It's lazy to just say it's fatigue or tiredness. I think the fitness guys know what we're capable. I'm not saying tiredness doesn't play a part at all, but I think some overstate this massively.

Last season we picked up two more points in the second half of the season than we did in the first, so...

 

[Spursidol]

He has rotated more than one or two in the previous games. We've at least changed the full backs in EL games, and usually have made at least another change.

I don't think we look jaded. We performed below what we're capable of against WBA, and Chelsea parked the bus. It's lazy to just say it's fatigue or tiredness. I think the fitness guys know what we're capable. I'm not saying tiredness doesn't play a part at all, but I think some overstate this massively.

Last season we picked up two more points in the second half of the season than we did in the first, so...

fatigue/tiredness is both physical and mental - with the latter it shows up as not making the best selection of pass, the fraction later to do things etc. Playing twice a week for several weeks on end will result in players showing these sort of symptoms.

Spurs have a large enough squad to avoid these things - larger than Southampton did - so maybe its a question of Poch needing to adjust his thinking more.

Spurs squad is also a lot stronger than ;last season - we kept all the main players used from November onwards and added a few more to replace the deadwood adding both first team starters (Toby, Alli, Son) plus depth (Trippier, Wimmer)......we just need to start to use that advantage more.

 

[spurs mental]

He has rotated more than one or two in the previous games. We've at least changed the full backs in EL games, and usually have made at least another change.

I don't think we look jaded. We performed below what we're capable of against WBA, and Chelsea parked the bus. It's lazy to just say it's fatigue or tiredness. I think the fitness guys know what we're capable. I'm not saying tiredness doesn't play a part at all, but I think some overstate this massively.

Last season we picked up two more points in the second half of the season than we did in the first, so...

Agreen with this. And good reason to as well.

Listening to the Fighting Cock pod on the way to work this morning, and Spooky I think it was, who runs dear Mr levy, seemed to suggest that this team has yet to peak in terms of fitness and performance and that they are only playing within themselves. Where he gets his information from I don't know, but he mentioned it came from someone within the club. If that is the case then full steam ahead on Thursday.

 

[TaoistMonkey]

Would love us to do this...

Lloris
Trippier Carter-Vickers Wimmer Davies
Bentaleb Winks
Townsend Onomah Clinton
Son

Full rotation, give players valuable minutes going into a busy period.

I'd swap Townsend for Lamela.

 

[dricha1]

Agreen with this. And good reason to as well.

Listening to the Fighting Cock pod on the way to work this morning, and Spooky I think it was, who runs dear Mr levy, seemed to suggest that this team has yet to peak in terms of fitness and performance and that they are only playing within themselves. Where he gets his information from I don't know, but he mentioned it came from someone within the club. If that is the case then full steam ahead on Thursday.

Interesting if from within the club and has a ring of truth about it.

I don't recall any Europa game this season where we've played full tilt - the press. We have played the press sporadically in the PL, mostly in key games against what you'd call rivals for top 4 and those important to the fans (arsenal & west ham ). Against the Sunderlands, Villas, west broms et al I don't think we've employed the press too hard. Maybe the opposition haven't allowed us or maybe it's a plan to conserve energies for second half oftve season?

 

[millsey]

By asking for full rotation, you simply don't give a shit about this competition

 

[Spursidol]

GK (2) - Hugo Lloris, Micael Vorm
RB (2) - Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier
LB (2) - Danny Rose, Ben Davies,
CB (4) - Jan Vertonghen, Toby Aldereireld, Frederico Fazio, Kevin Wimmer
Mid (4) - Nabil Bentaleb, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Tom Carroll
AM ( 4) - Eric Lamela, Andros Townsend, Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen,
AM/Strikers (2) - N'Jie Clinton, Heung-Min Son ,
Striker (1) - Harry Kane

Ok, so 21 genuine first team players who are fit - 23 if we include Joshua Onomah and Harry Winks, and even more if we include youngsters who joined the squad to Qarabak.

So do we expect to use all these players against either Monaco or Newcastle or are some of the squad not going to be used ?

 

[Mr Pink]

By asking for full rotation, you simply don't give a shit about this competition

How on earth do you come to that conclusion? There isn't a huge difference/consequence to finishing first or second - lots of difficult teams we could draw either way, first or second.

 

[VancouverSpurs]

I'll be happy if he rests Dier and Kane. I suspect he'll play Bentaleb and Njie in their places. I wish he'd rotate more as I really think we're going to burn out at the rate we're going. But we'll have to trust Poch.

 

[millsey]

How on earth do you come to that conclusion? There isn't a huge difference/consequence to finishing first or second - lots of difficult teams we could draw either way, first or second.

Because people constantly want us to play 11 different players in Europa. There is a big difference in first and second, your path simply becomes harder. Why should we play a very weak team if we want to win the cup?

 

[Mr Pink]

Because people constantly want us to play 11 different players in Europa. There is a big difference in first and second, your path simply becomes harder. Why should we play a very weak team if we want to win the cup?

There isn't a big difference in first or second, look at the two groups of teams we could face - there's no real difference, both pots include very difficult teams. Ultimately its down to luck who we get no matter if we finish first or second. We could finish second and get an easier tie than finishing first.

Not sure why this is so difficult to understand for some.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

It's amazing how many fitness and conditioning experts you find in these threads

 

[millsey]

It's amazing how many fitness and conditioning experts you find in these threads

Exactly. Most fitness is mental, and if you are constantly resting them telling they are tired they will believe it

 

[talkshowhost86]

It's amazing how many fitness and conditioning experts you find in these threads

I like to talk about athletes and their conditioning whilst eating crisps and drinking beer.

 

[Spursidol]

I like to talk about athletes and their conditioning whilst eating crisps and drinking beer.

no lets get it right - drinking beer and eating crisps. Priorities