Of course Kane is back, so he'll score as usual.

I'd be tempted to go false 9 for this one again, just to frustrate them and try to win it on the counter.

Oh boy, I can't remember the last time we played a game as interesting as this - I have so many questions:

1: Will Alonsos disappearance continue?

2: Against City, CHO and Ruben were the ones trusted to change the game - will that continue?

3: We found our inner Chelsea (aggressive, laying low, counter attacking) vs City and it nearly worked - will we continue in this fashion or will we return to open, possession based football which is what Sarri is hired to do?

4: Can Sarri withstand another defeat against a top six rival, or will we have a different manager vs Fulham?

 

Play Conte-ball for 60 mins, then Sarri-ball for the last 30. 

When Spuds lose it's usually later in the game when they lose it. In their worst defeats to the like of Burnley they conceded to on 57 and 83 mins, Wolves 72, 83 and 87 mins, Arsenal 56, 74 and 77 mins, Watford 69 and 76 mins,

Kepa

Emerson
Rudiger
Christensen
Azpilicueta

Jorginho
Kante
Loftus-Cheek

Pedro
Hazard
Hudson-Odoi

This will be a difficult team selection for Sarri - I guess he'll have to see how the team are feeling after the final on Sunday. I'm pretty sure that Kovacic will start as he missed out on the final. I Also think we should be starting Ruben and CHO it's just difficult to see where they will fit in. Jorginho and Hazard were both great on Sunday, but played the whole 120 minutes, so I'd be tempted to rest at least one of them. The problem we have is that we don't really have a like-for-like replacement for Jorginho. Maybe he will play Kovacic there alongside Kante and RLC. I also think that Kepa should be dropped, after what happened on Sunday. I think we will end up seeing this team:

Caballero

Azpillicueta
Rudiger
Christensen
Alonso

Jorginho
Kante
Kovacic

CHO
Hazard
Higuain

I prefer Emerson in the left back slot, but he's just played 120 minutes and Alonso will be fresh.

 

 

 

Historically loved it when we battered them, recently not a given, and very recently the odds against us. But if we play some of the football we did against city we should beat them, and once again ruin their chances of silverware. Love it. 

 

4 hours ago, DannyVblue said:

This will be a difficult team selection for Sarri - I guess he'll have to see how the team are feeling after the final on Sunday. I'm pretty sure that Kovacic will start as he missed out on the final. I Also think we should be starting Ruben and CHO it's just difficult to see where they will fit in. Jorginho and Hazard were both great on Sunday, but played the whole 120 minutes, so I'd be tempted to rest at least one of them. The problem we have is that we don't really have a like-for-like replacement for Jorginho. Maybe he will play Kovacic there alongside Kante and RLC. I also think that Kepa should be dropped, after what happened on Sunday. I think we will end up seeing this team:

Caballero

Azpillicueta
Rudiger
Christensen
Alonso

Jorginho
Kante
Kovacic

CHO
Hazard
Higuain

I prefer Emerson in the left back slot, but he's just played 120 minutes and Alonso will be fresh.

 

 

 

In today's presser Sarri seemed to hint that Emerson would start again. He also suggested that Kepa may not play although that may be a gametime decision. I would start RLC ahead of Kovacic, and Emerson ahead of Alonso. Otherwise I like the look of that team.

Why? Because he  couldn't come on Sunday? That's hardly "deserving", that's feeling sorry for  him and vindictive towards Kepa. Deserving is when you're better than the others, and Willy probably isn't.
We need to play our best team, no room for sentiments.

Yeah I know Kepa is still the first choice, but starting him in this game doesn't seem to be the right thing after that incident in the final. I know Sarri has moved on from it but it won't help him on the long run.
If I were the manager, I will start Caballero in the next game, if Caballero managed to keep a clean sheet or help us win the game he will keep his place for as long as we continue to win. Kepa will have to fight to get back into the team.
I think that will send the message to other players that the manager is in control. And it's not even like Caballero is the worst keeper in the world. As much as I love Kepa, he has conceded some cheap goals recently, so I think this might also make him step up a bit. It's a win win situation for everyone involve!

I see Spuds are already writing us off  http://spursforlife.com/tottenham-in-no-mood-to-say-sarri/

Be great to shut them up with all three points and make the top four race a bit tight for them, especially if they then lose to Arsenal as well.

Maybe just like City, they are expecting the same PREDICTABLE Chelsea they have seen all season. They will shocked to see that Sarri now has a plan B.

 

3 minutes ago, forbzy said:

In today's presser Sarri seemed to hint that Emerson would start again. He also suggested that Kepa may not play although that may be a gametime decision. I would start RLC ahead of Kovacic, and Emerson ahead of Alonso. Otherwise I like the look of that team.

Oh did he? Emerson has really impressed me this season, so I'm hoping that he starts too. I just thought he might opt for the rested Alonso. I'd also start RLC but I can't see Sarri leaving out Kovacic seeing as he didn't feature on Sunday.

Kepa
Emerson
Rudiger
Christensen
Azpilicueta
Jorginho
Kante
Loftus-Cheek
Pedro
Hazard
Hudson-Odoi

Why does everyone wants Christensen over Luiz in this game? Is it because of the penalty miss?
I thought we were solid defensively against City and Luiz is usually good against the top teams.

5 hours ago, coco said:

Play Conte-ball for 60 mins, then Sarri-ball for the last 30. 

When Spuds lose it's usually later in the game when they lose it. In their worst defeats to the like of Burnley they conceded to on 57 and 83 mins, Wolves 72, 83 and 87 mins, Arsenal 56, 74 and 77 mins, Watford 69 and 76 mins,

Good knowledge and stats, I can see why you are one of the Overlords here, Coco. 

13 minutes ago, wallosh said:

Why does everyone wants Christensen over Luiz in this game? Is it because of the penalty miss?
I thought we were solid defensively against City and Luiz is usually good against the top teams.

For me is the same reason as picking Bulka in goal rather than Willy. 

Both Luiz and Big Willy are out of contract at the end of the season and dont represent the future development of our team imo. Christensen and Bulka do.

That and Luiz just played 120 minutes and had his head messed with by Kepa otherwise he would have never missed that pen. So mentally and physically he needs a break imo.

9 minutes ago, Blueblur said:

Good knowledge and stats, I can see why you are one of the Overlords here, Coco. 

thanks for the compliment, makes it worthwhile me going through Spurs stats, makes you feel all dirty 

6 hours ago, coco said:

Play Conte-ball for 60 mins, then Sarri-ball for the last 30. 

When Spuds lose it's usually later in the game when they lose it. In their worst defeats to the like of Burnley they conceded to on 57 and 83 mins, Wolves 72, 83 and 87 mins, Arsenal 56, 74 and 77 mins, Watford 69 and 76 mins,

If he does that perhaps the press will need to come up with a new term for our style - Contarri-ball ;)

I get the idea of resting Emerson after playing 210 minutes but man, I can't trust Alonso in games like these anymore. 

 

Play Emerson, whatever happens, happens and Alonso can play against Fulham cause they're sh*t at the moment.

Gaffer's Press Conference

 

For me is the same reason as picking Bulka in goal rather than Willy. 

Both Luiz and Big Willy are out of contract at the end of the season and dont represent the future development of our team imo. Christensen and Bulka do.

That and Luiz just played 120 minutes and had his head messed with by Kepa otherwise he would have never missed that pen. So mentally and physically he needs a break imo.

Yeah, I agree the Kepa incident must have made the players tensed while playing the penalty kicks but I want us to take note of something. WE PLAYED 120 MINUTES AGAINST CITY WITHOUT CONCEDING A GOAL! It wasn't like some of there attackers missed the game through injury. I don't think many teams can do that in the EPL. Now we are playing Tottenham in a crucial game to get back to the top four spot, Sarri is probably still under pressure, I don't think I will take the risk to reshuffle that defence right now if it was left to me.

 

25 minutes ago, wallosh said:

Yeah, I agree the Kepa incident must have made the players tensed while playing the penalty kicks but I want us to take note of something. WE PLAYED 120 MINUTES AGAINST CITY WITHOUT CONCEDING A GOAL! It wasn't like some of there attackers missed the game through injury. I don't think many teams can do that in the EPL. Now we are playing Tottenham in a crucial game to get back to the top four spot, Sarri is probably still under pressure, I don't think I will take the risk to reshuffle that defence right now if it was left to me.

 

How dare you post anything positive instead of raging about bad marks being left on our laughing stock of a club! You'd better redeem yourself with a "lose to Spurs and Sarri is history"...

How dare you post anything positive instead of raging about bad marks being left on our laughing stock of a club! You'd better redeem yourself with a "lose to Spurs and Sarri is history"...

[emoji16][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]

Start CHO & RLC with Ampadu on the bench and I'm happy at kick off..... get the 3 points at the end and I'm happy with the game.... the rest is details at this point :P

Kepa/Caballero

Azpi Luiz Rudiger Emerson

Kante Jorginho RLC

Pedro Hazard CHO

Chuck Higuain and Willian on second half.

So 48 years of history come down to this game.

Win, draw .... but don't lose Sarri and the clock ticks round to 49 years.

f**k the final. This is the final x 50. f**k Tottenham.

5 hours ago, Valerie said:

How dare you post anything positive instead of raging about bad marks being left on our laughing stock of a club! You'd better redeem yourself with a "lose to Spurs and Sarri is history"...

I agree Val. Lose to Spurs and Sarri is history.  That's two of us then.

10 hours ago, wallosh said:

Yeah, I agree the Kepa incident must have made the players tensed while playing the penalty kicks but I want us to take note of something. WE PLAYED 120 MINUTES AGAINST CITY WITHOUT CONCEDING A GOAL! It wasn't like some of there attackers missed the game through injury. I don't think many teams can do that in the EPL. Now we are playing Tottenham in a crucial game to get back to the top four spot, Sarri is probably still under pressure, I don't think I will take the risk to reshuffle that defence right now if it was left to me.

 

We did, against one of the best teams in the world it is very impressive. You make my point though, think of the energy those defenders expelled to keep city out. Now asking them to do the same a few days later against erikson and kane is asking too much physically imo.