Mauricio Pochettino is often criticised for not taking the cup competitions seriously, but it appears things are changing. The Tottenham manager has named a strong team for the third non-league game in succession.
Spurs face Gent at Wembley in the second leg of their Europa League Round of 32 clash. In order to turn around a 1-0 deficit, Pochettino has selected a team made up of many of the squad’s best players, and it looks like he’s reverted to three at the back.
Eric Dier, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen all start. Hugo Lloris and Kyle Walker return after being rested for the Fulham match.
Harry Winks is perhaps unlucky not to start — he’s on the bench, as is Heung-Min Son. Ben Davies starts at left wing-back, while Harry Kane leads the line for the hosts.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to all the team news.
#THFC: Lloris, Walker, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Wanyama, Dembele, Eriksen, Dele, Kane. #COYS pic.twitter.com/TPbv3a7dEu
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 23, 2017
Subs: Vorm, Wimmer, Trippier, Winks, Sissoko, Son, Janssen. #COYS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 23, 2017
Hope we've found a way to play 3-5-2 tonight, better for goals and smashing 2 teams in 1 week will be amazing for confidence
— Corbit (@Corbit_THFC) February 23, 2017
#thfc Not sure Pochettino would have gone with 3-4-2-1 if he didn't have Vertonghen back – a key man when it comes to playing out of defence
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) February 23, 2017
Delighted Poch has decided to go back to the sexy three at the back again. Davies's crossing & attacking ability is abysmal though.
— Eric Chakma (@EricYid) February 23, 2017
Poch has gone for it and the large majority of you are raving about it. Remember that later if it goes tits up. No short memory syndrome 🙂
— Paul O Keefe (@pokeefe1) February 23, 2017
@RickSpur think Winks is a tad unlucky but has time on his side
— kev green (@kev_g1) February 23, 2017
So in a game you need to win by 2 or 3 goals you start dier over son ?#coys
— TAS (@coys100) February 23, 2017
Love that side we've put out today, let's have this #coys
— Chris Gilbertson (@Gilbertdinho61) February 23, 2017
Should start Son but not Dier
We need goals. Davies big mistake for this set up. He cannot run like Rose up and down
Your so right..! COYS THO..