Team vs Crystal Palace (A)

[EQP]

Lloris
Tanganga --- Dier --- Rodon --- Reguillon
Hojbjerg
Sissoko ---- Ndombele
Stevie-----------------Son
Kane

As Mourinho mentioned that Serge was struggling with some sort of injury before the Arsenal game and as the idea of starting Doherty against Zaha or Mane/Salah is uncomfortable, I say we start Japhet as a RB for this game, providing he passes the fitness test. Other change would be have Rodon come in for Toby as he would enjoy the physical battle with a "rejuvenated" Benteke.

Then team against Liverpool would look like

Lloris
Aurier --- Toby --- Dier --- Reguillon
Hojbjerg
Sissoko ---- Ndombele
GLC-----------------Son
Kane​

 

[bubble07]

This is the game for Bale 100%

 

[chrissivad]

Lloris
Aurier Alderweireid Dier Reguilón
Sissoko Højbjerg
Lo Celso Ndombele Son
Kane

Hart Rodon Davies Bergwijn Lucas Bale Vinicius​

I would like to see that starting line up, just not sure we need Bergwijn, Moura and bale on the bench.
I can only think of Winks for CM cover though.

 

[chinaman]

I would like to see that starting line up, just not sure we need Bergwijn, Moura and bale on the bench.
I can only think of Winks for CM cover though.

I think it could work to bring Dier forward to replace either of the CM should it be required and insert Rodon at CB.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

I would like to see that starting line up, just not sure we need Bergwijn, Moura and bale on the bench.
I can only think of Winks for CM cover though.

I think I’ve gone down the route of Lo Celso and Ndombele being able to drop into CM if anything was up with Højbjerg or Sissoko, while Bale, Lucas and Vinicius are the cavalry if we’re chasing a goal and Bergwijn‘a both got the versatility and the diligence to come on and shore up the flanks if necessary.

 

[SpursSince1980]

I feel like this game is one our most important, so far this season. We have just played three games against top 6 competitors, won 2 and drew 1, without conceding a single goal.
We also just qualified for the knock-out stages of Europa.

This is the kinda game that could induce 'complacency' from some of our players, who are prone to behaving and playing that way.

Winning this game, I feel takes off all the pressure for our match mid-week against Liverpool. We will be away at Anfield against the league champs, and no one has expectations of us giving them some sort of beat-down. On the contrary, we beat Palace, I think go into this game, focused and relaxed. Pressure is off. Win, draw, lose - no biggee.

Also, losing to Palace completely unravels all of the hard work the team has put in to get us to the top of the league.

With that in mind - do not be surprised to see Jose approach this in a conservative fashion. To give them some possession, and again, focus on spanking them on the counter.

4-2-1-3

Lloris

Serge
Toby
Dier
Reggie (if fit)

PEH
Sissy

Lo Celso

Bale
Kane
Sonny

Subs: N'dombele, Winks, Vinny, Stevie B, Lucas, Rodon, Davies and Hart.

I'm starting Lo Celso over N'Dombele, as you get the sense he's feeling fit and confident, and will run his socks off. Also, I think the version of Tanguy we saw on Thurs was a little bit disturbing. His whole game looked off and he made multiple mistakes in a short period of time. Wouldn't be surprised if he might be carrying a small knock. So, go with form.

I also think starting Bale is a bit of a psychological ploy. I think that their defense will look up and see Bale, Kane and Sonny and if that doesn't fill them with a little bit of trepidation, I don't know what would.

Also think Bale is ready to shift into the next gear. He's done okay in the Europa games, but you get the feeling he has been using them more as friendlies to get fit and up-to-speed. Maybe unleashing him now, we'll see him shift out of second gear and go up a level.

I also think there is a version of this team that Jose might play, that involves nullifying Zaha, by using Sissoko across a midfield three, as Zaha tends to play left or right side. Hardly through the middle. So, Sissy will be his shadow, all game long.

That team I think would look like like the above, but with Lo Celso playing on the left side of a midfield 3.

Jose has to get the players' mindset just right for this game. Needs to find a way to get them energized, focused and hungry. Show them the league table. Point out how those around them have dropped points. We win this, we are five points ahead of Chelsea. 7 an 8 points ahead of Utd and City respectively. Which again, takes a lot of pressure off of them, when it comes to the Liverpool game.

Hence, why I feel like this is a HUGE match that could be season-defining.

 

[Damrell]

Lloris
Aurier Alderweireld Dier Reguilon
Winks. hojbjerg
Bale. Ndombele. Son
Kane

 

[Gareth88]

Hugo
Aurier Toby Dier Regi
PEH Sissoko
Ndombele
Bergwin Kane Son​

 

[chrissivad]

I think I’ve gone down the route of Lo Celso and Ndombele being able to drop into CM if anything was up with Højbjerg or Sissoko, while Bale, Lucas and Vinicius are the cavalry if we’re chasing a goal and Bergwijn‘a both got the versatility and the diligence to come on and shore up the flanks if necessary.

They both could do a job. But Ndombele has only been playing 60 odd mins and Lo Celso just played 90mins on Thursday. Asking for another 90mins might be a bit much at this stage.

Dier could step forward if needed

 

[slartibartfast]

This has become much easier and thats a good thing. Constant change and reshuffling doesn't work. Any decent team picks itself for the most part barring injuries.

Lloris
Aurier/Doherty Toby Dier Regulion
Sissoko Hojbjerg
Moura LoCelso Son
Kane
​

If Jose plays Bergwijn instead of Moura or Ndombele instead of Lo Celso I'd be happy with that. We have quality and depth throughout so as long as 90% of the machine is there we're good.

 

[Hoddle1982]

Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Sissoko, Ndombele; Bale, Kane, Son.

Subs:
Hart, Davies, Tanganga, Lo Celso, Lucas, Bergwijn, Vinicius.

 

[SpursAddict]

Lloris
Doherty Toby Dier Reguilon
Hojbjerg Sissoko
Bale Ndombele Son
Kane

 

[bubble07]

This is the game for Bale 100%

Maybe not then