markysimmo
Johnny nice-tits
After sleeping on it, I've changed my mind on the scoreline
Arsenal 6 Spurs 1 now
Arsenal 6 Spurs 1 now
----------------------------------------LLoris--------------------------------------
Dier---------------------------Fazio---------------vertonghen----------------rose
----------------------------Capoue/stambouli----Benteleb------------------------
------------------------------------------Dembele---------------------------------
------Lamela------------------------------------------------------------Eriksen---
----------------------------------------Adebayor----------------------------------
----------------------------------------LLoris--------------------------------------
Dier---------------------------Fazio---------------vertonghen----------------rose
----------------------------Capoue/stambouli----Benteleb------------------------
------------------------------------------Dembele---------------------------------
------Lamela------------------------------------------------------------Eriksen---
----------------------------------------Adebayor----------------------------------
Besides Walker's surgery and recovery, we have no injuries at all. Arsenal, as usual, suffers from injuries and weak squad depth (Debuchy, Walcott, Giroud defenitely miss the game; Monreal is in doubt). However, it doesn't give us any benefits because currently nobody knows what is the best starting line-up for Tottenham. Even if Pochettino thinks he knows, his setups don't work as we've seen during last 5 poor displays. Several players should have a run of games together but we are yet to understand who these players are.
Nearly each position is in doubt (except Lloris and Lamela, although Vorm did pretty well yesterday). We also lack leadership and top-players' ability to change things on their own. Of course I have strong faith in Eriksen and especially Lamela, but only the game will show if they're on the brink of another level or not.
I see such line-up:
----------------Lloris------------------
--Dier----Kaboul--Vertonghen----Rose--
---------Stambouli--Capoue------------
--------------Dembele-----------------
----Lamela------------------Eriksen----
--------------Adebayor----------------
Subs: Vorm, Fazio, Naughton, Mason, Chadli, Kane, Soldado.
Bentaleb totally lost midfield battle against Liverpool and was very wasteful yesterday although he always tried to move the ball/with the ball to provide danger which is laudable. But a better and more dynamic team would have punished us a couple of times, especially considering Arsenal's pacy players like Sanchez, Welbeck or OX. I don't think Bentaleb should start.
Personally I don't want Kaboul to start, but as I stated in previous OMT thread I can't see Pochettino dropping him. He's our newly made captain and had a rest against NF. Meanwhile, I'm not sure that Fazio is already a better option. Yes, he's hugely experienced, great in the air, but he's also slow and it will be only 3rd match for him in Spurs kit. Overall Federico looked fine, but we could have conceded two goals because of his mistakes: one against Partizan, another one (partly his mistake) - yesterday. Dier plus Vertonghen in centre is a likeable option for many people, but they haven't played a single match together as centrebacks. Also Naughton is not a reliable fullback: he can perfom solidly during several games in a row only to make some absurd mistakes against top oppositions.
Against NF Soldado tried to receive the ball, falling deeper, but again it influenced his direct functions. I can't see him starting, although I don't want Adebayor to start as well. Hopefully he will be fired up and won't make any stupid reckless challenges.
Even though Arsenal doesn't look consistently nowadays, they're always ready against us plus they play at home. Speaking objectively I can see Arsenal winning with about 70% possibility. Holding my fists for Lamela's world-class perfomance which can nick us a draw. It will be a miracle if we somehow win.
The thing is, we could all take a defeat if we actually went down fighting and showed we were actually 100% up for it.
But sadly, I predict that we will be dour, lifeless, lacklustre and crumble to a limp defeat. Hope Im wrong. If we're going to lose anyway then just bloody go for it from the start and actually worry THEM. Dont make it so damn easy for them (like the Liverpool game).
Fazio and Verts will not be starting. The team will be the same as against West Brom.