2018/2019 Spurs Season: PL: 4th; LC: SM; FAC: 4RD; CL: Final

[pajimoh]

Interesting we have a young Nigerian goalkeeper at Spurs - Oluwayemi

Yes. I read about his last game. First time I'm hearing about him. I don't think he was around or active last season

[Its a Goal]

Back to the league we go. A week that is hard to forget but one down to experience. One that allowed Winks to come into his own and show the potential in him.

Against Cardiff we have the chance to return to winning ways and consolidate our position in the top, maybe move up to top 3 at the end of the weekend. This is where we cannot afford to have lapse of concentration as it will be have a detrimental effect to our season going into the international break.

There is still no good news on the injury front as all 5 key players are still in the nursing room. Dele, Dembele, Eriksen, Vertonghen and Aurier will be out for a considerable length of time, which isn't a bad thing on the long as this will be their forced opportunity to rest. Lloris is back but completely match rusty. Dier is constantly injury free so never gets a proper chance to go on a forced rest.

I don't expect there to be any major rotation from the team that played in midweek. In will come Rose and Dier and Lloris should retain his position. The lineup I would expect to see is:

• • • Kane

• • Son * Moura

• • • Lamela

• • Winks * Dier

Rose * Sanchez * Toby * Trippier

• • • Lloris

The bench is going to be light with offensive players. A few academy players may have to be drafted in as it is getting a little bit critical finding suitable replacements.

COYS!

[Lager-back]

Will Pocchetino stay?

[Its a Goal]

[Its a Goal]

Will Pocchetino stay?

Where is he going?

[Its a Goal]

Note worthy in today's lineup:

1. Lamela, who has had a brilliant start to the season, is back on the bench. Poch said he needs to manage him and his game time considering his injury record. Due to lack of game changers on the bench it is perhaps a wise decision.
2. Sissoko starts. Some fans are going to have a meltdown as he is an easy pick on. The truth is Sissoko is effective breaking up the opposition play and so long as he does the simple things without trying to be elaborate he often ends up having a good game. Totally makes sense to start him ahead of Lamela.
3. Lloris back between the sticks. He had a mere on Wednesday. It was shocking how poor a performance he had especially with the first goal. Like outfield players he just needs a run of games to regain his sharpness and this is a good game to help put games under his belt. He is one of the best keepers in the league and he has to be given the chance to regain that spot.
4. Dier starts again. Surely Dier has to be Poch's lovechild because I can't for the life of me think of why he should start ahead of Wanyama who has been playing his way back to his top level of 2 seasons ago while Dier keeps giving the ball away in crucial areas and we get punished for it most often. Maybe Poch wants to use him as a 3rd CB today in the absence of Verts.

[anikulapo]

Cheiii Ndidi needs to work on his back control and passing under pressure .... he just pulled a Xhaka but had the athleticism and endeavor to win the ball back

[anikulapo]

Danny Rose is a disgraceful cheat

[Its a Goal]

Rose with a brilliant move down the left almost gets in on goal but gets a corner kick.

[anikulapo]

Cheiiii Stupid Cardiff

[Its a Goal]

Dier opens the floodgate.

[Its a Goal]

Danny Rose is a disgraceful cheat

Bros, mind ya self. Why will you be angry because he dribbled the entire Cardiff defense?

[Its a Goal]

Moura dribbles his way into the 18 gives the ball to Sanchez whose shot was blocked by the keeper.

[Its a Goal]

Sissoko doing all that is expected of him. Good touches so far.

[Its a Goal]

Lloris was slow off his line and it almost cost us. Thanks to be Toby for clearing the ball off the line.

[Its a Goal]

We need a 2nd goal ASAP to kool down Cardiff's aggression.

[Cristao II]

Players are coasting. Disrespectful to Cardiff.

[Its a Goal]

After the goal we have invited Cardiff to attack.

[Its a Goal]

Teasing ball from Trippier to Lucas' head couldn't find the target.

[Its a Goal]

Lloris with a perfectly timed intervention.

[Its a Goal]

How did that not go in? Lucas miss a sure bound goal. Son did well to create the chance.

[Its a Goal]

Sissoko opened up Son but his shot went over the bar. How many chances are these lads going to waste?

[Its a Goal]

We are a 2nd half team. Let's hope we can move on score more. Mind you, on average 3 goals have been scored in all the matches we have played in the league so far so expect more goals.