Few Decisions for Mourinho in Tottenham Hotspur Projected XI

Tottenham Bench

Again, intentionality and coverage are the hallmarks of the bench from Jose Mourinho. Given the criticism following the loss midweek it is a bit hard to predict just how are down the line some of the players may have fallen or how much opportunity might be afforded to some fringe players – Gedson Fernandes anyone – to be on the bench.

The one known is of course keeper and given his last outing was a shutout Joe Hart keeps his back-up spot. Given the need for cover in the back and the fact Doherty is starting, Serge Aurier gets a seat along with Joe Rodon. Given Rodon is out of Europe he needs opportunities and Aurier is the back-up full-back with Davies and Sanchez both sitting out.

Carlos Vinicius provides the cover for Harry Kane, and Erik Lamela and Gareth Bale are included for some additional punch and pizzazz if needed. This leaves only one spot left, which should be for a midfielder, the question is who? Maybe it is Sanchez and Dier moves into a holding position if necessary. Alternatively, it will be one of Dele Alli, Giovani Lo Celso, and Harry Winks that takes that last spot, as Bergwijn is not really a midfielder and is behind the others in attack. Now which of the three it is, well I suppose the one that played the least poorly midweek, which is not much of a choice.

That said for any of the three men, being the seventh man chosen for the bench is better than the first one in the stands. Given Winks has had more opportunity we are leaning toward either Dele or Lo Celso here at HotspurHQ, with Dele getting the nod as the last man on the bench for maybe one more opportunity with some more familiar faces.

Line-up (4-2-3-1)

Lloris – Doherty – Alderweireld – Dier – Reguilón – Sissoko – Højbjerg – Moura – Ndombele – Son – Kane

Bench

Hart – Aurier – Rodon – Vinicius – Lamela – Bale – Dele  

Well that is our starting XI and 18 for the match, how would you line-up the lads? What do you think Mourinho will do differently?