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**OMT. Spurs-Hove Albion**

Ndombele has been spraying key pass around since his debut.

Rather play him then both Eriksen and Alli right now. fudge it, play him as a #10 with two behind him in the 4-2-3-1.

I think that is an option worth considering
 
Given his physical attributes, I completely see why people are keen to put him out there.

Given his footballing attributes, Im far from convinced he has what is needed to do the job.

Though I do much prefer the idea of him at RB than CM, so wouldnt complain if things went that way right now.

If he was really to be a RB proper, it should have started back in pre season, give the guy a chance to actually learnt the role.
I’d rather see Sissoko playing RB than RMF in a diamond anyway... as his upper body strength is on par with Wanyama / Walker plus he’s got immense stamina and surely it’d be easier for him to learn the position than hoping he might acquire the ability to shoot accurately at the age of 30...

 
Well thats basically what I said - the physical argument I understand completely. The footballing one is where think the idea fails.

But like you, Id rather he were RB then CM/RCM

I'm happiest with him being a squad central midfielder. I think that there is a big difference between playing RB regularly and filling in there when we are down to ten men.

I think that part of the reasoning for our formation at the moment is that we are bedding in Ndombele. It allows him to settle into the PL with a little less defensive responsibility.
 
Hoping that we will go back to 4-2-3-1 tomorrow and bring back Dier as one of the 2 defensive pivots. At his best Dier covers for the full backs when they go forward which isn't currently happening when Winks and Sissoko are the midfield 2 or when we use the dreaded diamond. I would also rest Winks, Rose, Toby and possible Sissoko after 2 hard games over the last week and bring in KWP at RB and go with something like this:

Lloris;
KWP, Sanchez, Verts, Davies
Dier Ndombele
Son, Alli, Lamela,
Kane

Bench: Gazza, Toby, Rose, Winks, Sissoko, Lucas, Eriksen

As Ndombele tends to tire around 60 minutes would then replace him with Sissoko or Winks
 
I think that it is likely to be a choice between KWP and Foyth tomorrow. I'd be tempted to go for Foyth and stick with him because it gives us the option of going to a back three in attack.

Foyth hasn't played all season though has he?
 
Spurs team news

Brighton v Tottenham (Sat, 12:30 BST)

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Tottenham Hotspur

Giovani Lo Celso (hip) and Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) are entering the late stages of their recovery from injury while full-back Serge Aurier must serve a one-match ban.
 
Football.London
Here's Pochettino on who will play at right-back tomorrow

“A few options, I think Moussa was very good playing one hour against Southampton with tough players like Boufal or Redmond. He did very well and that made me think a little bit that his option is bigger than another player.”

Poch on the mood in the camp
“Like always our responsibility is to assess the game and take ideas to try to improve. It was a really strange game. After the first half, no one expected the result in the end. Our first 30-35 minutes we did really, really well. At half-time I was so proud of the players. Sometimes things happen in football that you need to accept when every single shot from Bayern Munich was inside the goal.

“In this situation what can you do? Nothing. Stay all together. It was tough, the result was tough because you conceded seven goals. Now to stay calm, believe in our potential like a team. Stay together, start to create a normal environment, knowing that we need to bounce back. In the end, at least it was only three points that you lost. Everything is open.

“We need to keep working. In your life, as a manager or a player, sometimes these type of periods happen that no-one wants. We need to accept that it can happen in football and we need to face this difficult moment. All together we are going to find a way to bounce back and win games, that’s the most important - to win games and change the perception and emotions and start to stay happier than we are today. “

Poch on his future
“That is a moment to stay all together, I accept the opinions when you don’t win, it doesn’t only happen at Tottenham, it happens in all the clubs in the world, at a different level too. It is normal that that game creates a lot of opinion and rumours and everyone needs to talk. In the end all that happened is that we lost a game. There is no doubt we are staying together and we are going to find the way to be successful again, no doubt.

“In five and a half years, in every single press conference we’re talking about my future. I hope that we’re still talking it means we’re going to spend five more years at least.”

Pochettino was asked whether his players are still playing for him
“Yes, I really believe. I have no doubt the players always want to do their best to win. They play for themselves, their families, then the for the club and the coaching staff. I have no doubt, they have commitment, with four years or one in their contract, that is no doubt. The negative result like the other day was three days after beating Southampton with 10 men, it cannot change completely, the ideas or perception.

“How is it possible to play for one hour with 10 men, beat Southampton and score an unbelievable goal then three days later get beat (to Bayern). If we assess the performance I am more than happy with the performance from Southampton, from Leicester too. I cannot justify the result, the result makes it to appear bigger things. In three days how can it completely change. The most important thing is that it is really clear we are together and we are going to be find a way to breathe again.





BBC
Pochettino won't walk away
Mauricio Pochettino has just held his news conference and he dismissed suggestions he is going to quit as Tottenham boss following their 7-2 humbling by Bayern Munich.

“It is normal that that game creates a lot of opinion," he said. "There is no doubt we are staying together and we are going to find the way to be successful again.

“I really believe. I have no doubt the players always want to do their best to win.”

Sissoko to fill in at right-back?

With Serge Aurier suspended, Mauricio Pochettino hinted that midfielder Moussa Sissoko will play at right-back against Brighton.
 
Lawro's predictions

Brighton v Tottenham (Sat, 12:30 BST)


It would not surprise me if Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino leaves the club in the near future. Since the summer, some of the things he has said - like when he talked about how he is 'only the coach' and has no say in transfers - makes it feel to me like he is in the process of a long break-up.

I have thought for a while that Pochettino looks tired and how it looks like being Spurs manager has become a chore for him - but maybe he does not need time out of football, just out of Tottenham.

Spurs paid the price for chasing their Champions League game against Bayern on Tuesday when they were 4-2 down, and ended up conceding seven goals in total. But I still think they will go to Brighton and win.

Spurs have got some very good players. Yes, they have had a stinker but surely there will be a reaction this weekend. And the Seagulls have got problems of their own, with only two points from their past six games.

Brighton manager Graham Potter is reaching the stage where he might need to rethink his philosophy about playing good football for the sake of picking up some points.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2
 
If I’m KWP and after waiting 2 years I’m still not trusted at right back against Brighton, in favour of a very limited central midfielder or a centre half lacking match practice, then I’m getting myself the hell out that fudging door at one minute past midnight on January 1st...
 
If I’m KWP and after waiting 2 years I’m still not trusted at right back against Brighton, in favour of a very limited central midfielder or a centre half lacking match practice, then I’m getting myself the hell out that fudging door at one minute past midnight on January 1st...

Yep. Frankly, after his last two performances, if Aurier gets selected above him then it is time to go too
 
Poch on Dele Alli
“There’s nothing wrong. You need to understand that football is about form, about some not so good periods. Dele only needs time to recover his best performance. We’re going to help him, provide all the tools and platform for him to recover his best way to play. There’s no doubt Dele is going to recover. He’s in a tough period but we need him, he’s a very important player for us. In time, we’re going to recover the best Dele Alli of course.”

More from Poch
“We know very well that type of defeat always brings consequences, and that is a lot of opinions and criticism. Monday I was the best and after Tuesday I am the worst. That’s the reality when you lose and you cannot defend yourself.”
 
Pochettino on that defeat affecting his Spurs legacy
“I’m not worried about affecting your legacy. Of course I’m not happy with this type of result. If you want to take that in a negative way, of course. If a positive way. I can’t change your opinion. You’re going to take it how you want and assess it how you want. I’m here trying to be the most honest, trying to explain when we win is easy because you don’t need to justify your decision. When you win all is easy.

“When you lose, you need to explain why. That’s it. Football is a game to enjoy and when you don’t win it’s difficult to enjoy but you cannot create a drama. We’re not going to create a drama. We working to try to find the best way to recover your feeling. You want to work in an environment when you win more than lose. The players are the same. The fans are the same. We feel the energy, we feel strong to keep working all together to recover the best feeling.”
 
More from the Spurs boss
“For me, it’s about the squad always. Some players will play more than others, it’s normal. It’s your selection. To keep winning you need the squad.To change the dynamic you need the squad. Our plan like always is to make some decisions that are best for the team. Maybe some players who played two games, a tough game with one hour with ten men, maybe some players are going to rest tomorrow because played Saturday and Tuesday. It’s all the same. It’s all about winning.

My decisions are going to be based on our assessment and knowledge of the squad. Then if we win, you’re going to be positive. If we don’t win, what are you going to say? Fantastic? No of course not, you’re going to carry on giving your opinion. I’ve no doubt we’re going to compete in the best way, respecting our opponent, Brighton will be tough – we need to be strong, show our quality and that is what we need. It will be the best medicine for everyone.
 
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