Lineup we hope to see from Tottenham on Sunday v Newcastle
By Aaron Coe
The Premier League returns for a two-month sprint to the finish this weekend, with Tottenham Hotspur playing on Sunday afternoon against Newcastle. Having bounced back from a couple of lousy performances in a win against Aston Villa before the break, Spurs look to start the run-in with a win. To get a win and have the positive play the team ultimately needs for success we think Tottenham should deviate – as they did against Aston Villa – from their normal 4-2-3-1 formation. Here are the team and formation we would like to see against Newcastle.
Tottenham in a 3-2-3-2 formation?
It sounds strange, but the team cannot likely go with business as usual on Sunday. From all reports, it is likely that both Ben Davies and Sergio Reguilón will be out Sunday. Without any natural cover for a left fullback in the senior team, going with three in the back makes more sense than playing either Aurier or Doherty at left-back.
In fact, if Tottenham goes with a back three, it is highly likely that neither Aurier nor Doherty are on the pitch, which would be something that delights many Tottenham fans. With three backs to spread the pitch in the back, passing out of the back should be easier for the team as well.
Further with only three backs instead of four, having two holding midfielders makes more sense as they have actual gaps to cover. Instead of committing six players defensively as Spurs currently do – asking four to try and push forward – Tottenham would have five players committed to defense and simply be asking two of them to help defend the back and push the ball forward, to the five players committed to attacking. So here is the team we want to see in this new formation.