Assistant Kevin Bond was giving little away in terms of team news yesterday while he did confirm that there were injury doubts over Scott Parker, Younes Kaboul and Gareth Bale,
“Younes missed training on Wednesday, while both Gareth and Scotty had to come out of training early with slight muscle problems,” he said.
Bond also confirmed that Sandro and William Gallas were definitely ruled out although given Spurs’ selection policy for cup games, it seems unlikely that any of those names would have featured from the start in any event.
Spurs could conceivably play the same side that defeated Cheltenham in the third round but that could largely depend on the availability of Giovani dos Santos who is supposedly on the brink of a move to Spain. If Gio is out of the picture, Jake Livermore is likely to move into midfield from the right back berth but that still leaves questions.
The game could feature Tom Carroll against his home town club, Vedran Corluka and even John Bostock who has turned in a couple of decent performances in Spurs Lodge matches.
This then is our team to face Watford, but what’s yours?
Likely to start Gomes I would think – and not sure that Charlie is fit. I think Walker and Lennon will play. Wouldn’t be a surprise if he gives Ade a game either – will be a long time with no game if he waits until Tuesday – possibly from the bench to give him a run out.
Gomes
Walker Kaboul Bassong Rose
Lennon Livermore Pienaar Kranjcar
Defoe Pav
Not sure about the line-up of midfield? More likely Livermore and Carroll make a Central pairing as in the Europa games this season and Pienaar and Niko take the right/left flanks respectively. It’s interesting to see who’s been allowed out on loan and who hasn’t. Adebayor must be on the bench or else we’ll be looking short up front in the event of any injuries/chasing the game. Maybe Dawkins or Coulibaly could come onto the bench?
dont like the idea of livermore on the right, id rather kranjcar or carrol or someone else played there. could coulibaly play??
at l;east 20mins if we wer 3-0 up wouldnt do no harm…
We would be taking liberties if we played that team
Lets not take liberties and get the job done.
Gomes
Walker Dawson Bassong Rose
Lennon Livermore Modric Pienaar
Defoe Ade
If it starts to become comfortable then we could rest a couple. Lets remember that the Championship is a good standard of football
its the bloody FA Cup. play the 1st team not reserves. its only a possible 6 extra games. none of the proper team played in the europa league really so i dont know how the players need a rest. messi, xavi, busquets, iniesta etc play every game for barca. our reserves came 3rd in a crap europa group so if we take it easy tonight we could come unstuck in a local derby. if we go out playing the reserves i for one will go mental. people say what would u rather fa cup or champs league…BOTH, wes hould be aiming for BOTH
Not only would be taking liberties, we’d also lose! Our Europa League was very lightweight – not a patch on the Arsenal youngsters in terms of winning games. Modric & Bale came tried to save the PAOK game & it didn’t work. Win the game and then take players off when we are comfortable – Friday to Tuesday is more than enough rest. Let’s win something – long overdue with the squad we have!
Don’t like Livermore on the wing, he is too slow for that position and is a better defensive player.
Some guys need a rest as they are suffering minor injuries, so no Bale, Kaboul or Parker, plus King will not play and apparently Sandro and Gallas are still not fit though training.
Dawson needs more game time so will play alongside Bassong. Cudicini in goal with Corluka and Rose making up good enough defence.
Without Parker and Sandro it leaves just Livermore as an out and out defensive midfielder, but Pienaar played that role against Cheltenham so why not again? Krancjar wide left, Lennon wide right with Defoe up front alongside Adebayor.
Cudicini
Corluka
Dawson
Bassong
Rose
Pienar
Livermore
Modric
Krankjar
Adebayor
Defoe