Match Day Thread Tottenham Hotspur v Middlesbrough

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Sunday 5th January 2.01pm
FA Cup 3rd Round
Riverside Stadium​

An appalling performance and result against Southampton ended with no points and two injuries.
There's been no early movement in the transfer market, so we're stuck with what we've got.
Our league form has dropped off, but there's no doubt that we need a result here.
It's our only meaningful shot at silverware and we need something to boost the flagging morale, too.
Can Mourinho get a result against two former Spurs players or will our season end early?

Jonathan Woodgate took over at Boro in the summer, replacing the departing Tony Pulis.
He brought his former teammate Robbie Keane with him as his assistant, completing the Spurs connection.
Pulis had narrowly missed out on a play-off place, but his style of football and expensive signings were an issue.
The fans were prepared for a campaign of reorganisation and consolidation, rather than promotion chasing.
It's just as well, as the new manager got off to a fairly poor start.

The first 17 league games saw them win only two and skirt the relegation zone.
There was some talk of the coaches' job being in question, somewhat understandably.
The next 10 games have been a lot better though, as the team has hit it's stride.
7 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses have seen them pull away from the drop zone and they've won 4 on the bounce.
They'll come into this one on a high and will be looking forward to it. We won't.

No fixtures between us last season, so have a goal highlight video, instead:

Here's Mourinho's take on the game, too:

Kane, Ndombele, Davies, Lloris and Rose are all injured and will miss out.
Dier and Walker-Peters return to contention after illness and injury, while Son has completed his ban.
Randolph, Dijksteel, Friend, Shotton, McQueen and Ayala are out for the hosts.
Neither side has any suspensions.

Lineups for each side's last league game:

Spurs: Gazzaniga; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Sessegnon; Sissoko, Ndombele, Eriksen; Alli, Moura; Kane.
Subs: Vorm, Sanchez, Tanganga, Skipp, Winks, Lo Celso, Lamela.
League form: WWLWDL.

Boro: Pears; Howson, Ayala, Fry; Spence, Saville, Clayton, Johnson; Tavernier; Fletcher, Gestede.
Subs: Mejias, Wood, Coulson, McNair, Wing, Walker, O'Neill.
League form: DLWWWW.

Ref: Stuart Atwell. No VAR for this one.

TV: BT Sport 1.

How would you like to line up for this one and what would you change from the Southampton game?
Would you stick with much of the same lineup, make a few changes or go for a wholesale switch?
Which system and tactics would you use and what are you expecting Boro to go with?

 

1. I wouldn't bother wasting the diesel for the team coach up there.
2. Just about everything...

Could be one of the most embarrassing of days in recent memory if both Mourinho and players don't cop on! Not expecting a response to NYD I'm afraid.

 

Gazzaniga; Foyth, Sanchez, Tanganga, Cirkin; Skipp, Winks; Lamela, Lo Celso, Sessegnon; Parrott

A good combination of players looking to prove themselves, youngsters looking to get established, and not looking on aghast because Aurier starts yet another game

 

Gazza
Foyth, Dave, Jan, Sess
Skipp, Sissoko
Lamela, Gio, Son
Parrott

 

Berbatov 's 2nd in the highlights, God-damn I miss the man , Sonny's 1st and Defoe's not too shabby though , expect a win and clean sheet after the NYD shambles

 

Son not available yet ?

 

Read my team again, Alfie

 

He is and I guess he will be leading the line

 

Boro have won 4 on the trot, that’s like facing prime Messi Barca for our spineless bunch.

So long as we don’t get hammered 3-0 and go all Colchester like we did under the Magic one I’ll take it. Maybe a draw so we can get the lads back to the Lane and shower them with cuddles and love then maybe they might scrape through the 2nd time of asking.

Not sure I’ve come across a collective at Spurs I’ve started to dislike as much as this bunch barring the odd one. From Hero elects to Zero rejects and most of it is mainly due to a lack of minerals so with all that in mind and with my Spurs cap on I’m going for a 1-1

COYS

 

They are in good form and we are hopelessly out of form. throw in 'FA Cup 3rd Round Factor' and live TV and we have another recipe for a humiliating defeat.

I Think Jose needs to try something different so I am hoping for something like this

3-4-3 - Vorm, Foyth, Sanchez, Tanganga, Sissoko, Dier, Lo Celso, Sessegnon, Lamela; Son, Dele

 

Today is my birthday so at least they can't lose on it as they did in 2014 when we were knocked out by the gooners ... my teen beast was 11 and in primary school so I was taken to see Frozen first...oh what a great birthday that was...not exactly what I imsgined my sdult life would be like when I was 18

It's weird to think that from 2005-2008 we were on a par with boro!

COYS

 

Feliz cumpleanos amigo!

 

Many happy returns RCL

 

Happy Birthday RCL

 

Brighton and Villa have already been knocked out by Championship teams, while Watford and Newcastle need replays against League One teams

So we have to really bollocks things up to stand out now...

 

Happy birthday mate have a good one

 

Sorry to say I can only see another defeat jose has lost the plot keeps picking the same formations and some players that should never wear a spurs shirt again...really hope I'm wrong and we get a win but just cant see it

 

Defenders defend.Attackers attack.We could have a chance...…….

 

Defenders defend could you please tell that to aurier and rose smithy