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Lineup we hope to see from Tottenham on Sunday v Newcastle

By Aaron Coe

Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at The London Stadium, in east London on February 21, 2021. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at The London Stadium, in east London on February 21, 2021. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Tottenham Joe Rodon
Tottenham Hotspur’s Welsh defender Joe Rodon (L) vies for the ball against Sheffield United’s Scottish striker Oliver Burke (R) during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on January 17, 2021. (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Hopeful Tottenham Defense

As we noted, we want to see a back three with this team given the lack of fullbacks and abundance of center-backs in the squad. Of course, this cannot be the back-five version of a three that Spurs played against Liverpool, rather a true back three, with three center-halves each taking a third of the pitch.

Joe Rodon – Left-back

It is not his natural position and likely is not his position long-term moving forward but I’d rather see Joe Rodon on the left in a back three right now for Tottenham than anyone else on the roster. Rodon would be better wide than Alderweireld as he is so strong in space given his size and speed. Rodon brings energy and aggression to the defense, which will help complement what comes from his right in the middle.

Toby Alderweireld – Center-back

Toby Alderweireld played on the right side of a back three for Belgium, but his experience and positioning prowess make him ideal for the middle position. With two more aggressive and athletic defenders on either side of him, Toby can play with depth and take better angles defensively – all while staying home in the middle of the pitch. Not your classic 1980s sweeper – although not a bad role for the Belgian – Toby is the lead the defense needs, just needs to be put into a position to lead.

Davinson Sanchez – Right-back

Davinson Sanchez has been the best defender for Tottenham since the calendar turned 2021. While that is not necessarily saying a lot, Sanchez has a lot of tools and seems to be once again improving. His ability to attack the ball in the air and on the ground provides that same kind of aggression on the right that Rodon can on the left and can help keep a team like Newcastle pinned in their own half.

Hugo Lloris – Keeper

After a couple of fine performances for France, which saw him equal Henry for second all-time in appearances for France, Lloris looks primed and ready. The approach France takes is one Spurs should have taken note of, as that is the Lloris we want. The difference is he is making a handful of saves for France versus making a lot of saves for Spurs. Hugo is just not young enough to face 15 shots a match, but ask him to come up with 1 or 2 good saves a game and he has your back. With a true three-man defense in front of him, maybe Spurs would have his?

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