Match Day Thread Tottenham Hotspur v Watford

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Monday 30th April 8pm
Premier League
Wembley Stadium​

So despite a bright start against Man Utd, it's another season without silverware. Disappointing.
Can the players lift themselves now and finish the campaign well or will heads go down?
We've got four games remaining to ensure Champions League football at the new stadium.
Three wins would guarantee that we finish above Chelsea and we've got three home games to play.
Will we start well with a win in this match, facing a side that's virtually safe?

Watford started the season well, as Hull's former manager Marco Silva replaced Walter Mazzarri in the summer.
Their early form was quite impressive, as they drew with Liverpool, beat Arsenal and stayed in the top half.
A blip coincided with an unwelcome approach for their coach from another Premier League club.
The board lost confidence and another managerial casualty departed from Vicarage Road in January.

Javi Gracia replaced Silva on the same day that his dismissal was announced.
The highly experienced Spanish midfielder had been out of work since a short stint at Rubin Kazan.
Despite his reputation as a thoughtful, loyal and dedicated coach, it seemed quite out of the blue.
He's had mixed results and the current board at Watford are not known for their patience.
He may see this game as an important step to take to keep his job into next season.

The game at the Lane last season saw a rare start from Vincent Janssen, as Kane recovered on the bench.
The visitors didn't start too badly, but soon faced attack after attack, as the woodwork kept the score level.
Son and Janssen both struck it before Dele Alli curled home a magnificent strike to take the lead.
Eric Dier added a second from a blocked Son shot, before the South Korean got one himself to make it 3-0.
The break didn't help our visitors, as Son added another just after it, finishing the scoring:

The match at Vicarage Road was a tough, battling performance, in contrast.
A fairly bright start was abruptly brought to an end, as Kabasele headed home unmarked from a corner.
Son restored parity and things remained level at the break, but thoughts of a win were soon stunted.
Davinson Sanchez was dismissed for a raised arm on Richarlison with nearly 40 minutes remaining.
The remaining ten men limited the hosts to potshots though, taking a decent point in the circumstances:

Harry Winks misses out again, as his rehabilitation continues. No news on Rose or Walker-Peters.
Tom Cleverly is absent for the visitors, while there are doubts about various others.
Kaboul, Hoban, Deulofeu, Prodl, Peyreyra and Deeney may all miss out.
Neither side has any suspensions.

Lineups for each side's last league game:

Spurs: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Sissoko, Wanyama; Moura, Eriksen Son; Kane.
Subs: Vorm, Trippier, Foyth, Dier, Dembele, , Lamela, Llorente.
League form: WWWWLD.

Watford: Karnezis; Mariappa, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas; Hughes, Doucoure, Capoue, Peyreyra; Deeney, Okaka.
Subs: Gomes, Janmaat, Britos, Femenia, Richarlison, Gray, Sinclair.
League form: LLDLLD.

Referee: Michael Oliver.

TV: Sky Sports.

How should Pochettino approach this one, given the result and performance against Man Utd?
Who deserves to keep their place and who needs a rest?
Should we continue rotating our fullbacks and is there a place for Alderweireld or Moura in the starting XI?

 

Four games left. Currently 8 pts min needed.
Play as though a non-win will damn their eternal souls.


"Should we continue rotating our fullbacks and is there a place for Alderweireld or Moura in the starting XI?"

Strongest possible starting XI each game (injuries permitting) .

 

Yep, as RD said, strongest XI possible (with the likely exception of Toby).

Hugo
Tripps, Dave, Jan, Davies
Dier, Dembele
Eriksen, Alli, Son
Kane

 

I would have Toby in if he is fit - and Sonny to start as he has a particular liking for Watford. Would be good to give Ben a breather, but there’s no news on Rose as he’s currently too large to fit through the examination room door

3 points is a must. COYS!

 

Yeah it's clear to see Ben is looking burnt out, not surprising considering he's played most of the season in probably the most demanding role in the side. Wonder if Poch thinks KWP could be ready for a LB start in the Prem? Or another option could be Jan at LB and have Dave & Toby at CB.

 

Pre-match stuff ...

 

For me, Kane isn’t part of our strongest XI based on what I’ve seen recently.


Hugo
Tripps Alderweireld Jan Davies
Dier Dembele
Alli Eriksen Lamela
Son

No doubt Toby won’t start though.

 

I'd start Kane. He is gonna be pissed off with the ****ers at the FA over the 2 digs last weekend...hopefully he will take it out on Watford on Monday.
I would play Toby and put Vertongen out wide to rest Davies so my team would be...

Lloris
Trippier Sanchez Toby Vertongen
Dier Dembele Sanchez Eriksen
Son
Kane

 

That Sanchez is some player...... both of them!!

 

RCL rates Dave so much he picks him twice

 

meant dele smart arse

 

Temper, temper.....

 

I'm more worried about Dier on the wing. Dave in 2 positions is well within his capabilities

 

Plan B at last!!!!

 

Dier's played CB, RB and DM... Might as well add RM to his repetoire I suppose.

 

Just heard on the radio that apparently Watford have only picked up 1 point from 30 on the road this season.
My RCL head tells me that it’ll be 4 by the end of tonight...

 

Am at Wembley....
getting excited...
COOOOOOOMMMMMEEEE
OOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN
YOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUU
SPUUUUUUUUURRRRRSSSS

 

Cannot read that. Can you use a bigger font size ??

 

COOOOOOMMMMEEEE
OOOOOOOONNNNNNN
YOOOOOOOOOUUUUUU
SPUUUUUUUURRRRSSS