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Tottenham Hotspur projected XI for MS Mura in Conference League

By Aaron Coe

Tottenham Hotspur's Italian goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini celebrates after a penalty shoot out during the English League Cup third round football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on September 22, 2021. - (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur's Italian goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini celebrates after a penalty shoot out during the English League Cup third round football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on September 22, 2021. - (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the UEFA Conference League Play-Off Leg One match between FC Pacos De Ferreira and Tottenham Hotspu
PACOS DE FERREIRA, PORTUGAL – AUGUST 19: Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the UEFA Conference League Play-Off Leg One match between FC Pacos De Ferreira and Tottenham Hotspur at Estadio da Mata Real on August 19, 2021, in Pacos de Ferreira, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Tottenham Projected Defence

In front of Gollini Tottenham is going to stick with a back four as it seems there is just no time to make a bigger change to a back three. After having less than optimal results at the weekend without Cristian Romero, the big summer signing is back in the squad along with a few other players who are often back-ups.

Ben Davies (LB)

The Welshman is likely to again get the call at left-back as he platoons with Sergio Reguilon. Reguilon is the better attacker but Ben Davies tends to keep the shape better defensively. While we all want to see free-flowing, attacking football, getting a clean sheet is first priority, and Davies should be up to the task.

Joe Rodon (CB)

Maybe this is more wishful than anything but there is little doubt that Joe Rodon needs to be getting minutes with this team. The sooner Santo starts pairing Rodon and Romero in the middle of the back the better. It would even work in a back three but for Thursday we see a back four. Rodon has not played in a fortnight having last featured against Stade Rennes on matchday one.

Cristian Romero (CB)

The idea that Tottenham has brought in Cristian Romero only to not really play him does not sit well with anyone. Even if there are still adjustments to fitting in a back four or his ability to verbally communicate with everyone on the team, his limited minutes have shown him to be a real defender who will put it all on the line for the team. With Romero likely again headed to South America for World Cup qualifiers next week, Spurs need to get all they can out of the center-back now.

Matt Doherty (RB)

The right move is likely to play Emerson Royal and continue to build minutes and familiarity with the squad. However, based on previous non-league fixtures and the need to get him some minutes, Matt Doherty is likely to start against Mura. Royal is more versatile and Doherty, thus have more value off the bench, and following a less than stellar showing at the weekend, Tanganga is unlikely to feature.