The main team news as far as Spurs are concerned surrounds Danny Rose and AVB’s claim that the left back has a 90% chance of returning for Saturday’s London Derby.
“For Danny, there is a 90 per cent chance that he will make the game, so that gives us options down that flank,” said Andre.
Villas-Boas has used Kyle Naughton and Zeki Fryers during Danny’s absence but is likely to put the left back straight in if he possibly can.
AVB gave a further update on the progress of Aaron Lennon and Etienne Capoue.
“Aaron will be back with the team either tomorrow or on Monday, and that’s a great addition with what he represents,” he added.
“Etienne will return for the games after the international break.”
There are a few questions in midfield as there are likely to be for most of this campaign. Lewis Holtby is the player pressing for a start after impressing against Cardiff and Villa while Erik Lamela may also come in on the flank.
Andros Townsend and Gylfi Sigurdsson are the men most under pressure and a drop to the bench would be tough on Gylfi after his double strike against Norwich two weeks ago.
Finally, Roberto Soldado has plenty of pressure from Jermain Defoe who has 6 in 6 this season but AVB may well keep faith in the Spaniard for now.
Here’s our selection but what’s your view?
Townsend for holtby.sandro for dembele.
I’d have it nearly the same as you’ve got it there but Lamela for Holtby and play Siggy on the left, Lamela on the right. Might also be a case for starting Sandro over Dembele but I’d stick with Moussa.
Townsend is overated , needs to do his job proply and stop shooting all the time , look forward for Lennon to come back
He’s young and will learn – I certainly won’t get on his back for trying to score
Difficult one. I think we could do with the extra defensive qualities of Sandro but who is left out?
Possibly Dembele as Paulinho will drift into the box late and get on the end of chances,
the attacking midfield 3 has 3 players who all like to play centrally, Townsend or Lamela on one side to keep them stretched, Holtby to come on in the second half, looking for spaces in between Terry and whoever else plays at centre half
Sandro for Dembele, Lamela for Sigi. May even be swayed with Chadli for Holtby more for balance.
Oh how i wish Ady Lennon Defoe was on our bench and i would go with this defense because Chelski at set pieces Lloris Walker Kaboul Dawson Vert Townsend Sandro Dembele Holtby Erickson Defoe Oh bloody hell its to hard i want Pualinho Siggy ad cant fit them in
why drop dembele?…he was our best player v cardiff
holtby does not play well when stuck out wide…..lets stick to the winning formula that has worked in every game (bar 1) this season – avb will pick the same starting line up as last sunday with the only change being rose at l/b – don`t forget we have a long trip to russia on thu, where there will be an opportunity for those that dont play on sat to get 90 mins
Lloris, Walker,Dawson, Jan, Rose. Sandro, Pauly, Holtby on the left, lamela on the right, Eriksen off Defoe.
Would like to see erikson and holtby play together, Maybe swapping roles. With that midfield creating chances Defoe is a must start. He’ll smash in a bucket load if old, slow terry plays.
Lamela for Holtby, but swopping with Siggie. Happy with midfield, sorry for Sandro and Holtby. But there is always the 2nd half.
We need to ride the hot hand and the heros.
Lloris
Walker, Daws, Jan, Rose/Naughton (Rose if healthy)
Sandro, Paulinho
Lamela, Eriksen, Siggy
Soldado
Defoe gets left out because the movement of Soldado off the ball is so much better. Get Terry out of position and the Midfielders can crash the box.
Welll we drawn and i forecast in my blog our weakness corners free kicks No 6ft4 Kaboul our best header