We always opine that the true gauge of a team is how good they are in adversity.
And Tottenham aren’t always the best in this area. Of course they were up against the champions elect on their own patch on Wednesday. But it was so disappointing to see such a poor reaction to conceding the first goal, after an encouraging first 15-20 minutes.
Even at 2-0 a top team should be full of beans in the knowledge that a solitary goal will put the opposition on the back foot as they try to preserve their slender advantage.
But players like Erik Lamela just didn’t look up for it once Tottenham fell behind. This needs to change.
Thankfully Tottenham are back at home this weekend and up against a Crystal Palace side that they should beat well.
It’s all about the early goal of course. If Spurs can strike early they will enjoy themselves. But a stubborn Palace defence could leave players and fans on edge.
That said, we feel that this is a Tottenham win all day long – especially after the Chelsea result.
The injury list is clearing up considerably with Rose, Capoue, Adebayor and Townsend all in contention again. Even Kyle Walker is only a couple of weeks away from a return. With pacey full backs Tottenham may resort to two up top. But, until Walker is back then a 4-2-3-1 will ensure that Tottenham have quality out wide.
With tricky games against Swansea and Newcastle, Tottenham need the points desperately. We would like to see Kane keep his place and Pochettino use the width of the pitch.
Here’s our strongest XI. Tottenham fans: let’s have your teams please
Harry Hotspur
Dec 4, 2014 at 8:46 pm
No way is this our best 11. We are a 4-4-2 team and kane only plays his best when he has a no.9 to work off and who better (from our strikers) than soldado and Bentaleb is just not good enough for me loses the ball too often and isn’t decisive enough and that gets him caught against high quality players. If he plays Jedinak will run him ragged. Our best team is
Lloris, Chiriches, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies, Lamela, Eriksen, Mason, Chadli, Kane and Soldado.
ultrapunch
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:06 pm
You must be joking, Harry! Bentaleb was arguably our best player against Chelsea. Did you watch the game? Your team has no defensive midfielder unless Mason is your choice in that position?
ultrapunch
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:08 pm
Perhaps if Pochettino is sacked you should apply for the vacant Spurs managers job, Harry! LOL!
Alfie D
Dec 4, 2014 at 11:59 pm
My team would be:
Lloris
Naughton – Fazio – Vertonghen – Davies
Mason – Bentaleb
Eriksen – Kane – Chadli
Soldado
Naughton definitely best option at right back until Walker’s fit, only person who can actually play the position. Bentaleb one of the better players vs Chelsea in my opinion and Mason continues to make process. The game vs Everton shows that in these sorts of games an out and out holder in the midfield might not be necessary, but should be played in the bigger games and probably most away games. I have faith Lamela will produce over time, but feel at the moment his decision making is slow and sometimes as a result quite poor, so would give him a bit of a break. Chadli should be one of the first names on the team sheet when 100% fit (which I assume he currently is not). Kane and Soldado appear to be building some good chemistry and while I disagree with those who said it was the wrong decision to drop Bobby for Chelsea game, I do think we should bring him back for this game.
Pochettino’s philisophy seems to be starting to creep in and I feel positive times ahead
Come on you Spurs!