Former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp tended to look on the Europa League with disdain but having won the trophy with Porto, head coach Andre Villas-Boas insists that the competition is a priority at the club.
With one eye on the game with QPR at the weekend, Spurs are likely to feature a stronger side than in the group stages last time round. Lack of cover in certain positions may also play a part but overall, this should be a more competitive unit.
“I have always regarded the Europa League as a prestigious competition and I think it should be promoted that way,” AVB said.
“It gives the winners access to the European Super Cup and we want to do something special in this tournament.
“If we can win this trophy it would represent a lot for Tottenham’s history and would be something really, really special.”
Andre also acknowledged that the league represented a tough challenge for the club.
“The best teams outside of the Champions League are all involved and then the sides who don’t qualify from the Champions League group stages also come back into the Europa League,” he added.
“And sometimes, as we saw last season, some of those teams we are speaking about are among the top teams in the world.
“It’s important European football is not all about the Champions League.
“The Europa League is a very hard and strenuous competition. But we will give it our best efforts,” Villas-Boas confirmed.”
The campaign starts this Thursday at home to Lazio and it will certainly be interesting to see the starting XI ahead of what could be the most important game in the group.
Lloris; Walker, Caulker, Dawson, Naughton; Dembele, Sandro; Townsend, Dempsey, Bale; Defoe.
Subs – Friedel, Gallas, Vertonghen, Lennon, Falque, Carroll, Sigurdsson.
With Gomes, Cudicini and Jenas all expected to have left by the end of January, I think it’s going to be imperative that the rest of the squad are kept a part of the team. I felt that Redknapp’s biggest mistake was that he had isolated half the squad (Kranjcar, Defoe, Corluka, etc) but AVB has a golden opportunity this season to fix that. If the game is going well, give Falque and Carroll a run-out as well.
And COYS!
(I think it’s going to be a close game, but my prediction is for us to win by two goals to one. Scorers being Vertonghen, Defoe and Klose)
I agree mostly except I wouldn’t play Bale or Sandro instead I would use Livermore and Falque.
No adebayor?
Tight hamstring.
COYS
i agree give falque a run out tonight not to sure bout livermore tho.. and if things do get a bit tricky get adebayor on but i think we will win tonight at the lane even tho lazio have won there last 7 games but fcuk them c.o.y.s..lets win the europa cup!!!!!…AGAIN…..C.O.Y.S…