Mauricio Pochettino has named his team to face Southampton tonight and it contains two shock selections.
Having stated that Toby Alderweireld would be fit to return to the team against the Saints, it was a surprise to see the Belgian omitted from the squad, with Eric Dier continuing in central defence alongside Jan Vertonghen.
Perhaps less of a shock, but still raising some eyebrows was the starting place for Moussa Sissoko intead of Heung-Min Son. Sissoko has been in good form of late, mainly from the bench, but many have doubts about the French international after his poor start at the club.
Here’s how Spurs fas reacted to the team news on Twitter.
#THFC: Lloris (C), Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose, Wanyama, Dembele, Sissoko, Eriksen, Dele, Kane. #COYS pic.twitter.com/v5JlJwXYhF
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 28, 2016
Tottenham Hotspur's Toby Alderweireld reportedly misses tonight's game against Southampton after contracting a virus this week. #COYS#THFC
— Ricky Sacks (@RickSpur) December 28, 2016
Another ''minor injury" for Toby
— Nad (@nad_THFC) December 28, 2016
Second game in a row Toby's missed due to that "not serious" back problem. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned #COYS
— Emma Storey (@JournoSpursEmma) December 28, 2016
Alderweireld has played 48/56 league games for Spurs (ISTBC). Absence is acute but case unproven that he's a long-term injury worry.
— Adam Powley (@adampowley) December 28, 2016
No Alderveireld again. Why does Poch lie about injuries??
— Paul Newman (@Paul_NewmanDM) December 28, 2016
Alderweireld with a virus is more effective at CB than Dier #Fact
— Craig Mitch (@CraigxMitch) December 28, 2016
Toby Alderweireld not even in the squad. 2016 takes another.
— Simply Spurs (@Simply_Spurs) December 28, 2016
No Toby is a diversion tactic.
Did you even notice Sissoko is starting…. #coys
— House of V (@Vxb1) December 28, 2016
Toby's absence is frustrating. Sissoko deserves his chance. Winks can be disappointed. Time for a performance from Alli and Dembele #THFC
— Ben (@thespursramble) December 28, 2016
#thfc Sissoko merits a place in Spurs' first-choice front four at the moment. Another good chance for him to continue his progress tonight.
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) December 28, 2016
Winks unlucky to lose place to Sissoko but may give us extra bit of pace & drive in midfield, hopefully will carry on good form #COYS#THFC
— Ricky Sacks (@RickSpur) December 28, 2016
Sissoko has earned his start, let's hope he's on his way to becoming the player we hope £30m buys us-
His last 3 performances good; #thfc— Ledley is my Hero (@spursNutN17) December 28, 2016
