The most eye-catching piece of team news this week is Ryan Mason’s inclusion in the side. Surprisingly, Eric Dier has kept his place in midfield while Nabil Bentaleb has been dropped to the bench.
Bentaleb wasn’t great at Old Trafford last week so perhaps his exclusion is understandable. Elsewhere, Danny Rose only makes the bench so Ben Davies keeps his place in the starting eleven.
The only other change is in goal, with captain Hugo Lloris returning from injury to makes his 100th Premier League appearances for Spurs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted the the team news…
#THFC team: Lloris (c), Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Mason; Chadli, Dembele, Eriksen; Kane #COYS
https://t.co/eqiGNmpHkZ
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 15, 2015
Ruthless from Poch. 1 bad game for Nabil and out of the side. Interesting
— Paul O Keefe (@pokeefe1) August 15, 2015
Bentaleb dropped is a little odd but be Madrid and United he was sloppy in possession. Lot more focus on Defense to facilitate attacks.
— insiden17 (@InsideN17) August 15, 2015
#thfc Bentaleb had a poor game last week but surprised Pochettino's continuing with Dier in midfield rather than reuniting Mason & Bentaleb.
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) August 15, 2015
Great that Lloris is back. I also understand the inclusion of Mason over Bentaleb. But a real pity that Davies is kept in ahead of Rose.
— Chris Miller (@WindyCOYS) August 15, 2015
I’m surprised to see Rose missing out but I suppose Davies didn’t really put a foot wrong against #MUFC. Dier did fine last week, IMO.
— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) August 15, 2015
Can't believe Poch dropped Bentaleb after his poor performance vs. United. He must be struggling in training, too.
— Scott (@ScottyB330) August 15, 2015
I like Poch's stance with Bentaleb. You were poor so you better get your head together. Tough.
— Maki is Loaded (@NextGenMaki) August 15, 2015
"@HotspurRelated Hugo Lloris returns to the Spurs team as captain" pic.twitter.com/QckFDfVzJE
— Becky (@becksthfc) August 15, 2015
Agree with the starting XI. Bentaleb perhaps not sharp enough yet. Good to see Mason/Lloris starting since injury. #COYS
— Declan Wiseman (@Wizward) August 15, 2015
I know he had a crap match last week at OT, but wouldnt you rather have Bentaleb in position than Dier out of position in MF? #THFC #Coys
— Tony Jones (@thetonyjones) August 15, 2015
Bentaleb dropped and rightly so, hope to see him bounce back. Eriksens gotta perform if we're gonna unlock them today #COYS
— Jack Bethell (@BethellJack) August 15, 2015
Lloris and vertonghen overated i couldnt care less if they both leave.
Spurs must change the way they played
We need to play 442
Today was rubbish playing on middle all the time
No one can push upfront