Mauricio Pochettino makes seven changes for Tottenham’s second meeting with Leicester in the space of five days.
The biggest talking point is arguably Tom Carroll’s inclusion ahead of Mousa Dembele. The Belgian has recovered from injury and returns to the squad, but only makes the bench.
Elsewhere, Erik Lamela and Harry Kane return to the starting eleven to give Spurs some extra fire power. Nabil Bentaleb is nowhere to be seen, failing to even earn a place among the substitutes.
Jamie Vardy starts for Leicester having recovered from a minor groin operation. Here’s how Twitter reacted to all the team news.
#thfc Thought Dembele would replace Carroll. Perhaps he's not quite fit enough – but Poch also tends to stick with players if they merit it.
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) January 13, 2016
Pochettino's insistence with Carroll is both admirable but also damning towards Bentaleb. He's earned trust with his XI's this season.
— Nikhil Saglani (@Nikhil_Saglani) January 13, 2016
Those asking why Dembele is only on the bench, player clearly is nowhere near match-fitness & therefore Carroll continues to deputise. #THFC
— Ricky Sacks (@RickSpur) January 13, 2016
— Spurs In The Blood (@SpursInTheBlood) January 13, 2016
As for Spurs, I would've liked to see Dembele in the starting XI but he's so important that I understand the caution with rushing him back.
— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) January 13, 2016
If you're all wondering why Mousa isn't starting, it's because he's on the bench.
Let me know if you need anything else clarified.
— Spooky (@Spooky23) January 13, 2016
What an important game tonight vs Leicester. Confidence shown in Carroll again although great to see Dembele back. Tight #thfc win. #COYS
— Isaac Ross (@yross2012) January 13, 2016
Logic would suggest a player who's injury prone shouldn't be rushed back. But fuck logic this is Twitter innit. #COYS
— Paul O Keefe (@pokeefe1) January 13, 2016
I thought Dembele was back? Can't say I feel too safe having Tommy in the lineup. This is a huge game. #COYS
— Mike Flynn (@Flynny403) January 13, 2016
It was right to not rush Dembele but would have preferred Bentaleb to Carroll tbh
— Jack (@Bentalebesque) January 13, 2016
Of course Dembele is better, but Tom's been great lately. Get over your shit fan agenda against one of your own players and support the team
— Tom Carroll (Seán) (@SpursDub) January 13, 2016
Good that Dembele is a sub, can't rush him back, if we can't win a ⚽️ match without him, then when he's out next we'd self destruct ?? #COYS
— Dave Spurs (@Difarent) January 13, 2016
Mason/Bentaleb are twice as good. Dembele is three times as good ?
— William Meekings (@Will_Meekings) January 13, 2016
Nabil Bentaleb is the most notable omission from the 18. Injured trio Mason, Njie & Pritchard also missing, Townsend & Fazio ignored again.
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) January 13, 2016
