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Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Reports during pre-season on expected 1st team Line-Ups for clubs in the English Premier League
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FootballWriter1
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Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by FootballWriter1 »

Report below written 2 August. Further updates to come in the run-up to Spurs' opening match away to Everton on Saturday 13 August at 3pm.

Club Review

Tottenham Hotspur had a magnificent last season, being in the Top 2 for most of the season, fighting with Leicester for the Premier League title but the whole season went badly wrong in last 4 games. Getting only 2 points in last 4 matches was a huge disappointment to an otherwise great season but it cost them to drop to 3rd, finishing for another year behind their rivals Arsenal. An especially tough loss was in the last game of the season, when already relegated Newcastle beat them 5-1. Regardless, Tottenham played with the youngest squad in the Premier League and managed not to lose a match against Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and beat City twice in the season. They have a very bright future ahead of them and some players that are now already stars like the England duo Kane and Alli. They have set a really good foundation for the future. Pochettino is a class manager, Levy is great director and we can expect great things from this club. They didn’t have so much success in the Europa League, reaching the last 16 and loosing to Dortmund 5-1.

This summer they have made two signings. First was signing a very decent and proven Premier League midfielder Victor Wanyama from Southampton and the other one is striker Vincent Janssen from the Dutch League. For the upcoming season, they will be more experienced and I see them as an underdog who can make a indent into the Big 4 (United, City, Chelsea, Arsenal). Harry Kane and Dele Alli had a disappointing performance with England at the Euros and we will see if it impacts on the start to their new season or if they can bounce back.

Defence

Along with Manchester United, Tottenham had the best defence in the Premier League last season, conceding only 35 goals (tied with Manchester United). We can safely say that Tottenham’s defence was the best in the league because they played much more attacking and riskier football than Van Gaal’s philosophy.

At the goalkeeper position, their No.1 is France National team captain Hugo Lloris. That says everything, you can’t be simply be a decent goalkeeper and end up being France captain. Very underrated player, who almost ended up at United a couple of years ago when Real Madrid wanted to sign De Gea. But Tottenham were lucky enough to keep this world-class goalkeeper on their side and in 2015 he became also the captain of Totthenham. In 37 games in the Premier League, Hugo Lloris had 88 saves (8th last season) and also 13 clean sheets (5th last season). His backup is 33-year old Michel Vorm who played in 7 games last season and conceded 8 goals. It’s vital for Tottenham to have Lloris in the starting lineup as he has very big impact on their game due to his captain role and also on their results. This is the only position in their lineup that they have experienced players.

Toby Alderweireld, 27 year old Belgian player, was in the last season their main and the best defender as well as being voted the best player on the Tottenham team as he won the Player of the Year award in this club. That he had a great season, shows by playing in all 38 games in the Premier League, getting no injuries or suspensions and also winning the award in front of Harry Kane who was the Premier League’s top scorer. Another big honour that he got, was selection into the Premier League Team of the Year and also UEFA Europa League Team of the year. This just shows how consistent he has been the whole season and his efforts haven’t passed without the notice from fans and his peers. His centre-back duo partner was also his countryman Jan Vertonghen, another very experienced, proven and underrated defender. He is just two years older than Alderweireld, 29 years old and has been a Tottenham member since the summer of 2012. Most of these players have been together for ages and that may be the reason that they got along with each other and understand each other so well. Vertonghen however picked up an ankle ligament injury when training with Belgium and may miss the start of the EPL season although he is close to a return. Pocchetino has already said that there won’t be new signings on centre back positions, so we can expect the same defence for Tottenham next season, but, if injury free, more improved as they were together for another year.

On the side backs, Spurs have two England players, Kyle Walker on the right side and Danny Rose on the left side. Both were the part of the England squad at the Euros, playing in the starting lineup, and Kyle Walker was the most impressive but both will be disappointed by England's elimination. Walker played in 33 games in Premier League last season, while Rose participated in 24 games. Both had the same stats of 1 goal and 3 assists in the season. Danny Rose found his way into the Premier League Team of the season, which is a big recommendation for this 26-years old player. Beside Alderweireld, the other Tottenham defensive players have been part of the Spurs squad for a long time which helps knit the players together as a defensive team. As I said, Vertonghen came in 2012, also Kyle Walker joined Spurs in 2009, but Rose is the longest member as he is at Tottenham for his 10th season, having joined in 2007. If they stay free of major injuries, I expect the same things from Spurs this season, a rock solid defence, which will be even better with the arrival of Wanyama who should have a lot of interceptions and tackling in midfield.

Midfield

In the 2015/2016 season, Spurs played all season with 2 defensive midfielders. Their main player in this position is Eric Dier. Another very young but also very talented and promising player, who also like Kane, Alli, Rose and Walker was part of England starting lineup at Euro 2016. Dier had an amazing season, proving that he shaped into a versatile player who can cope with multiple positions. For most of the season he played in a defensive midfielder position, but also played as centre back in some matches when needed. Even though he played defensive positions in those 37 games, he managed to score 3 goals and also got 4 assists. His partner for the biggest part of the season was Mousa Dembele (who is banned for the first 4 domestic matches of the season). Dembele is a more experienced player and he, just like the most of the team, is a long-term player of Tottenham Hotspur. This 29-year old player from Belgium, signed for the Spurs in the summer of 2012, came from another Premier League team, at that time, Fulham. It is proved again, that when you combine youth and talent with experience and ages you will get the winning combination and that is what Tottenham got last season. Dembele and Dier both had great seasons, helping the Spurs' defence but also their offense.. Pocchetino really hit gold with this combination.

In front of them, in more offensive positions, Pocchetino played with 3 players, young Alli, magician Eriksen and the player with a great technique Eric Lamela. We will start with the youngest and most promising player on this team Dele Alli. Last season was a dream season for this 20-years old “kid”, his first full professional season and he shined like a diamond. In 33 games played, 10 goals, 9 assists and a spot in the Premier League Team of the season. He did have a bad experience with the England National team at Euros, but that’s not only his fault. In the right system, with the great manager that is Pocchetino and if used correctly, Alli is a world-class player, like he showed many times last season. He played last season in total 41 games, with 10 goals along with 12 assists. In some games when Dembele was injured, he was a partner with Dier in that defensive midfield position. Christian Eriksen, for me the most underrated and the most unappreciated player in the Premier League. Absolute magician with the ball, having amazing skills and unbelievable vision and passing. Player with abilities similar to David Silva, playing behind the striker and holding Tottenham’s game in his legs. He was maybe the key player for Tottenham last season and a man behind their success, finish second in most assists in last season. In 33 games played, he scored 6 goals and managed to assist another 13. Another relatively young player with 24 years on his shoulders and I expect great things from him in the future, Eric Lamela also had very good season, playing 34 games, starting in 28 of them and scoring 5 goals and getting 9 assists. Very talented player from Argentina who played the closest to Harry Kane and was a big threat for the opposition defenses, with the ability to score goals that no other player can. Last season was his best in a Totthenham shirt, as he only scored 2 goals in the 2014/2015 campaign. He is getting used to the Premier League and I think this year, in his third full season in Premier league he can go on to show his full talent and potential.

Pocchetino’s super sub for last season was Nacer Chadli. He fits the profile for sure, another long-term Tottenham player and also another Belgian player. He came off the bench in 19 games last season in the Premier League and also started in 10 of them. In those 29 games he scored 3 and got 2 assists. Season before last was much better for him in a Tottenham shirt, when he played in 35 games and scored 11 goals with 5 assists, but he lost his place in the starting lineup to the super talented Dele Alli. Another player who was used in a lot of games the previous season in the Premier League as an attcking midfield player or even forward, was Heung-Min Son, who played 28 games and in 15 of those games came off the bench. He is another young player, at just 24 years and scored 4 goals in the Premier League last season. The likes of N'jie, Mason, Pritchard, Bentaleb, Onomah and Carroll are likely to again be bit-part midfield players.

Forwards

The most impressive part of Spurs' squad last season was Harry Kane. Kane is 23 years old and an England player, who had poor performance at Euro 2016 and was named as one of the biggest disappointments of this years Euros. England fans, expected great things from Kane after the dream season he had with Tottenham where he won the award for the most goals scored in the season. He played in all 38 games, missing just 52 minutes for the whole season and scored 25 goals. He was selected into the Premier League team of the year for the second season straight and after scoring 21 goals in that first season, he managed to score even more goals this previous season. His ratings and price went down a little after the performance on Euro, but these two great seasons prove that he is one of the best Premier league scorers and will be one of the main candidates to win the award again. The best thing about Harry is that he just turned 23 years and is just at the start of his career.

Vincent Janssen has been bought from AZ Alkmaar in July 2016 to give support to Kane and scored 27 goals in Holland's Eredivisie last season (incl 20 in the 2nd half of the season) leading to his call-up to the Holland senior squad. He is only 22 years old so will be learning his trade in the Premier League but the manager thinks he has a great fit for the team and he is a fighter and hard worker as well as having striker quality..

Summary

I just really hope that Tottenham can overcome their “fear” of Arsenal next season and finish above them. They have a very good team, very young but now also very experienced and the best thing about this team is that they have been together for many years now and know each other very well. They have been building this team for many years and next season should be their best. I can see them repeating their great performance from this season, but the Premier League is already stronger than last season after Summer transfer activity, so I just don’t see this team in back in the top 3. I think they will play great football to watch, effective but will miss those superstars who can finish the match in their favour when the situation is tough. My expectations for this season is a big fight with Arsenal and Liverpool for the 4th spot behind teams from Manchester and Chelsea.

Starting Line-Up

I don’t think that Pocchetino will change things much next season and will stick to his 4-2-3-1 formation that in my opinion fits the best for this team :

Lloris
Walker Alderweireld Vertonghen(Wimmer) Rose(Davies)
Dier Wanyama or Dembele - when back from ban)
Lamela(Chadli) Eriksen Alli(Son)
Kane(Janssen but only when Kane is injured or needs a rest)


Players to look up in fantasy football :

Hugo Lloris – As I said, Hugo is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League but massively underrated and not treated as a star. As Tottenham had the best defence in the league last season, managing to concede the least goals, I think things won’t change a lot. He will be in goal for the whole season if he manages to not get injured. He had 88 saves in the season, but I think he can improve that next season and become even better.

Toby Alderweireld – One of the best, if not the best centre back in the league last season. This season was his first in Tottenham where he played 3419 of 3420 possible minutes and was their best player of the season. Now that it’s his second year with the team, where he is more used to teammates and their style, he will again be one of the best players in the league at his position. Along with his partner from Belgium, Vertonghen, Spurs defence will be top 3 in next season and this underrated player should get a lot of credit for it.

Christian Eriksen – Just 24 years old, this very skillful and proficient player is yet to reach his prime and is an excellent free-kick taker. Last season was his best with 13 assists in 35 Premier League matches, but I think he is capable of much more and this could be the season that he proves that. He is surrounded with great teammates and the most important thing is, he has one of the best strikers in the league in front of him. If he stays away from injuries, I expect around 18 assists for this season and even more beautiful football to watch from him and Tottenham team.

Harry Kane – Very young player that is developing rapidly. 21 goals two years ago, 25 goals last season could easily turn into 30+ goals this upcoming season. As I said many times, this team is very young, talented but also has been together for many years and that is important for atmosphere and communication in the team. Harry has great passers behind him in Eriksen, Dembele & Alli but also players who can penetrate and get him useful balls in front of the goal like Lamela. This could be the year of the Kane, the year where he scores 30+ goals, leaves all his competition behind him and settles into one of the biggest clubs in the world after next season (United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich).

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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Preseason matches:

9 July: Tottenham 3-0 Nottingham Forest (Hotspur Way). Goals: Son, Carroll, Pritchard

16 July: Tottenham 0-1 Fulham (Hotspur Way)

26 July: Tottenham 1-2 Juventus (Melbourne, Australia). Goal: Lamela

29 July: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Tottenham (Melbourne, Australia)

5 August: Inter Milan (Oslo, Norway)

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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Written by Spurs fan perchance? They had their chance and blew it!

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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Vid wrote:Written by Spurs fan perchance? They had their chance and blew it!
No. FW1 is a Man Utd fan.

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by admin »

Current injuries:

Dembele (4 match ban remaining from last season - back 18 Sep?)
Vertonghen - recovering from torn ankle ligaments - could be ready for start of season

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Re: RE: Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by murf »

admin wrote:Current injuries:

Dembele (4 match ban remaining from last season - back 18 Sep?)
Vertonghen - recovering from torn ankle ligaments - could be ready for start of season
Son is at the Olympics

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by admin »

Spurs' 1st 10 EPL fixtures:

Everton V Tottenham
Sat 13 Aug 15:00
Tottenham V Crystal Palace
Sat 20 Aug 15:00
Tottenham V Liverpool
Sat 27 Aug 12:30
Stoke V Tottenham
Sat 10 Sep 15:00
Tottenham V Sunderland
Sun 18 Sep 16:30
Middlesbrough V Tottenham
Sat 24 Sep 15:00
Tottenham V Man City
Sat 1 Oct 15:00
West Brom V Tottenham
Sat 15 Oct 15:00
Bournemouth V Tottenham
Sat 22 Oct 15:00
Tottenham V Leicester
Sat 29 Oct 15:00

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by FootballWriter1 »

Norwich have completed the signing of winger Alex Pritchard on a four-year deal from Tottenham.

Roma have completed the signing of Tottenham defender Federico Fazio on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

Erik Lamela has denied rumours linking him with a move away from Tottenham, insisting he is focused on his future at the club.

Ipswich have announced the signing of Tottenham winger Grant Ward for an undisclosed fee.

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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Preseason friendly Tottenham - Inter 6-1 (Kane 2, Lamela, Alli, Janssen, Harrison)

Spurs will now return to England to prepare for their opening game against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, 13 August.

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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Vid wrote:Written by Spurs fan perchance? They had their chance and blew it!
Maybe.

The next couple of seasons, while the new stadium is being built, might be quite challenging. However, if Spurs get past that hurdle with Pocchetino and most of the current squad still at the club, they'll have a great opportunity to become London's top club again.

For the coming season, it might be a question of whether Arsenal (more likely) or Chelsea can take advantage of the dance of the desperate that's taking place in Manchester. Breaking transfer records for players given away 4 years ago or who couldn't defend for a bunch of toffees last season is pure insanity. :shock:

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by admin »

So based on the above and comments on SkySports, I think the line-up today at Everton could be:

Lloris
Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen (Wimmer on standby if not fully fit but sounds like he should play), Rose
Dier, Wanyama
Lamela, Eriksen, Alli
Kane

Chadli and Janssen to come on from the bench.

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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Premier League : Game 1 - Tottenham vs Everton 1-1 (Lamela 59', Barkley 5')

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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FootballWriter1 wrote:Premier League : Game 1 - Tottenham vs Everton 1-1 (Lamela 59', Barkley 5')
A game well described by the old cliché of "two halves". Everton completely hustled Spurs off their game in the first 45 minutes, spurred on by slightly fortuitous early goal. The second half, particularly after the Dier-->Janssen switch was all Spurs, and only a couple of fine saves in the final 10 minutes denied them all 3 points. Harry Kane still looked well off the pace and Janssen caused Everton far more problems. Spurs clearly need to buy a wide attacking player to add some variation, and an outlet, when teams manage to nullify/occupy Walker and Rose.

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Re: Tottenham - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by admin »

Line-up was:

H Lloris -hamstring (M Vorm, 35), D Rose, J Vertonghen, T Alderweireld, K Walker, V Wanyama, E Lamela, C Eriksen, E Dier (V Janssen, 56), D Alli, H Kane

Subs not used: H Winks, J Onomah, R Mason, C Carter-Vickers, B Davies

Lloris (GK) out for 4 weeks. Son (AM) back from Rio. Unlikely to be any changes apart from GK although Janssen impressed.

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