Tottenham have announced their starting XI for this evening’s first leg Europa League play off and there are few surprises – with the possible exception of Andros Townsend coming in for Nacer Chadli on the left.
The full line up reads
Lloris; Naughton, Dawson, Kaboul, Rose; Capoue, Paulinho; Townsend, Dembele, Sigurdsson; Soldado.
After relying on Brad Friedel during this competition last season, Andre Villas-Boas has switched back to Brad Friedel in goal, otherwise it’s pretty much as expected – if not exactly as per our prediction earlier today!
The game offers a great opportunity for Townsend to prove to AVB that he can make an impact during this campaign after some impressive displays in pre-season and it will be interesting to see how he goes.
Additionally, while we have an experienced starting XI, the bench is full of youthful promise – Friedel aside – and it reads,
Friedel, Fryers, Walker, Carroll, Chadli, Coulthirst, Kane.
If needed, this could provide the perfect platform for one of the fringe players to impress.
switched back to Lloris in goal?
I know we want to win, but I cant believe he’s started Soldado…..if he gets injured, we’re back to where we were last year!
Don’t take this as a dig at AVB people, I have complete faith, just very very surprised he’s risking the main man this evening!