Your line up for final...

[Locotoro]

Dele has to play. I watched that BT highlights package yesterday and he sets up most of the important goals to get us this far. Eriksen v inter at home and Lucas x2 v Ajax.

Sure he hasn’t had the best of seasons but in the big games his contribution is massive, as is his work rate. If we want to stop their fullbacks getting forward then he’s paramount in preventing that happen.

The problem with Alli is he floats centrally and that leaves us open on the wing.

I'd love to see him fit in the team and it's a nice problem to have but I'd really like to see Son and Lucas get in beyond Kane and play counter.
Alli knows how to get into space in the box but he can't do that from CM and I wonder if we'll have that opportunity against Liverpool.

 

[ajspurs]

The problem with Alli is he floats centrally and that leaves us open on the wing.

I'd love to see him fit in the team and it's a nice problem to have but I'd really like to see Son and Lucas get in beyond Kane and play counter.
Alli knows how to get into space in the box but he can't do that from CM and I wonder if we'll have that opportunity against Liverpool.

To be honest, whether I want him included or not I haven't even thought of a possible team with Alli as I simply don't think he's a player that Poch would drop.

 

[JCRD]

Agree with both of you that RB is a potential weak link. The positive, hopefully, is that Trips has had a good rest and a chance to recharge his batteries, and get over niggling injuries. Injuries to Aurier and KWP's inexperience haven't allowed for sorely-needed rotation at that position, and Trips has been overused, and as a result, his form and actual fitness have suffered.

One of Poch's options to combat that threat is to occupy Robertson as much as possible on their left flank. Robertson will have his hands full with defensive duties with either Son or Moura on his flank, but Moura is better than Son imo with his defensive awareness in pressing, closing down space, harrying players and chasing down threats. All our attackers, just like theirs, will have both offensive and defensive responsibilities.

There's a lot to consider for Poch. Thankfully, we're in a better position fitness-wise to give him that selection headache! Still goes back to Kane and Winks physical fitness for me. Not so worried about game fitness, as three plus weeks without games will affect everyone. Seems, from the reports, that Winks is good to go. That's CM sorted with Sissoko and Winks.

Eriksen plays for his creativity, and Alli plays because he's our most versatile player. He provides us an attacking threat, is a defensive buffer when he has to be, slots into CM/AM roles seamlessly because of his game awareness. Alli also gives us that grittiness and toughness we'll need against opponents that will try and intimidate to gain any advantage they can.

It leaves our front 3...Kane/Son/Moura. They're all proven, devastating attackers. We can only choose two to start. But, the game will be 90 or 120 minutes long, with also the chance of penalties. All three will get game time, either to start or as a key sub.

If Kane is 90%, he starts. That leaves Son or Moura. There really ain't much to choose between them on the attacking front. But, think Moura is more keyed-in defensively, and Klopp's Liverpool always start on the front foot.

We've actually been fortunate that they didn't convert their chances early in the last couple of games against us. We still lost them both, but we are their equal. They actually swamped us early doors but couldn't score before we woke up and asserted our own game. We can't let that happen in the final.

Their key threats come down their flanks. Think Rose can handle TAA, Trips needs help with Robertson. Tire that fucker out from the start with someone that has even more of an engine and desire than he has, Moura!

Imo, if Kane's fit, Sonny's the impact sub.

My team is :
Lloris

Trips Toby Verts Rose

Sissoko Winks

Dele Eriksen

Moura Kane

RB is definitely our weakest position currently.
We have five players who can (some only in an emergency) play there but none are of the quality we need.

RB is one of the first positions (plus CM) that we need upgraded in the summer.

I think Sissoko will be key to cover Trippier on the right... Sissoko will be asked to play like a right back as soon as Trippier gets forward... thats how I view it, unless Aurier plays.

It will be fascinating... I dont think Liverpool care about us trying to occupy their wing backs, they will attack us regardless... it will be an end to end game and thats not what you want against Liverpool... they like chaos and in a chaotic game, theyll hammer us...

In the summer - right back should be our priority and it seems to be given the Trippier being sold rumours. Italy would suit him.

 

[james Stock]

Dier at right back, need someone solid to mark Mane and let Moura or Son get forward.

 

[walworthyid]

------------- Hugo--------------
Serge--Toby----Jan---Rose
--Sissoko-Winks-Eriksen--
--------------Kane--------------
Lucas--------------------Sonny

The wingers need to be brave, stay up top and pin their wing-backs back - rest of the team stays compact and look for Lucas and Sonny's runs early at the point we win possession.
Dele misses out but I'd be half tempted to play Dier at RB; if there's one game he could get himself up for this season it's gotta be this one.

I'm seeing a lot of people dropping dele. It is tempting, however, he created 2 of Moura's goals, set up 2 son chances and nearly scored himself. He is a proven big game player, it is a risk to drop him.

It boils down to whether Poch wants to really go for it and match them up or if he wants to try to gain some control.

Having that extra body in the middle with winks will not help us on the flanks where pool are strongest.

If we match them up and it isn't working we could always revert to a 4-4-2/4-4-1-1with son/moura going wide and kane dropping to 10.
I just feel that the best form of defence is attack in this game. We cant hand them the initiative by looking to contain them. In the end they may have more power than us going through the middle we will have more creativity.

I say we go for it.

 

[carpediem991]

I wonder if Poch is doing a surprising decision Re RB. I think 9 out of 11 positions are nailed on.

---------------------------------------Lloris-----------------------------------
---------RB-----------Alderweireld----Vertonghen--------Rose---
------------------------Sissoko---------------CM----------------------------
-------Lucas----------------------Dele---------------------Eriksen---------
--------------------------------------Son-------------------------------------------

RB = Trippier has the best odds as Serge is coming from an injury. Surprising candidates could be Dier or if Poch has biig balls Foyth. Though I guess Foyth robbed his own chance after the sending off in Bournemouth.

CM = Most likely for me is Kane up front and Eriksen/ Dele dropping back. Could be seen as too offensive and again we don't know in what state Kane is, though I am pretty sure that if Kane is available, he will and want to start. The others seem a bit hard to drop. Only Dele maybe in favour of Winks, another one with unknown fitness level. Outsiders are Wanyama and Dier.


So I guess RB will be Tripps and CM Dele/Eriksen, with Kane taking the spot.

That would leave the following bench:
Gazzaniga, Vorm - Aurier, Dier, Foyth, Davinson, Davies, Wanyama, Winks, Skipp, Lamela, Llorente - Additional traveller: Poor old KWP.

 

[eViL]

I'm seeing a lot of people dropping dele. It is tempting, however, he created 2 of Moura's goals, set up 2 son chances and nearly scored himself. He is a proven big game player, it is a risk to drop him.

He only starts running and playing when we're in trouble though.. he simply needs to be more assertive and pragmatic from the beginning of games.

2-0 down to the bindippers and we ain't getting back in it.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

I have no idea who is going to start - nor any good ideas about who should start.

With that said, I do think people are discounting the idea that Poch could start the match in a 343 - with Sanchez between Toby and Jan, and sitting in a compact defensive shape and focused on counter-attacking (and helping defend Salah and Mane).

Between Dele, Son and Lucas - at least 1 is likely to be on the bench - and among those 3, Dele makes the least sense to bring in as a sub. With Son or Lucas - they can change the dynamic when they come in, Dele won't change the dynamic. He is better off starting and seeing if he can find some magic in the run-of play - because he won't be able to force it later - at least not the same way Son and Lucas can use pace on the flanks.

Poch will have to make a big call on Kane's fitness - Winks is less problematic as its an easier sub to make.

I think there are only 6 nailed on starters:

Lloris
Alderweireld
Vertonghen
Rose
Sissoko
Eriksen

After that, formation and tactics (and fitness levels) play the biggest role in filling out the squad.

 

[npearl4spurs]

What about Dier RB as he has done a few times? Greater tactical flexibility? And Poch loves Dier (pre-injury ridden season

 

[Guntz]

Lloris

Trippier
Toby
Jan
Rose

Winks
Sissoko

Lucas
Eriksen
Alli

Kane

By all accounts it looks like Harry will be fit enough, in that case he has to start.

Sonny/Lamela can come off the bench to run at a tired pool defence.

 

[npearl4spurs]

I have no idea who is going to start - nor any good ideas about who should start.

With that said, I do think people are discounting the idea that Poch could start the match in a 343 - with Sanchez between Toby and Jan, and sitting in a compact defensive shape and focused on counter-attacking (and helping defend Salah and Mane).

Between Dele, Son and Lucas - at least 1 is likely to be on the bench - and among those 3, Dele makes the least sense to bring in as a sub. With Son or Lucas - they can change the dynamic when they come in, Dele won't change the dynamic. He is better off starting and seeing if he can find some magic in the run-of play - because he won't be able to force it later - at least not the same way Son and Lucas can use pace on the flanks.

Poch will have to make a big call on Kane's fitness - Winks is less problematic as its an easier sub to make.

I think there are only 6 nailed on starters:

Lloris
Alderweireld
Vertonghen
Rose
Sissoko
Eriksen

After that, formation and tactics (and fitness levels) play the biggest role in filling out the squad.

Personally think Son and Dele are nailed on starters as well

 

[mark87]

If we have a fully fit squad to choose from then i really don't envy poch having to make this decision.

 

[ohtottenham!]

I think Sissoko will be key to cover Trippier on the right... Sissoko will be asked to play like a right back as soon as Trippier gets forward... thats how I view it, unless Aurier plays.

It will be fascinating... I dont think Liverpool care about us trying to occupy their wing backs, they will attack us regardless... it will be an end to end game and thats not what you want against Liverpool... they like chaos and in a chaotic game, theyll hammer us...

In the summer - right back should be our priority and it seems to be given the Trippier being sold rumours. Italy would suit him.

Each of their wing backs had 10+ assists in the PL alone! So much of their attacking threat comes down their flanks from defence. Liverpool will absolutely care if we do the job of closing down those channels. It’s key to how they operate as an offensive unit.

Like you say, and I agree, Sissoko will be providing help on Trippier’s flank. He’ll also have plenty of defensive work to do centrally with the movement of their front three, as well as his task of winning the CM battle.

It will be cat and mouse all over the park with both teams trying to maximize their own strengths and minimize their opponent’s strengths. Shutting down their WBs as an offensive threat is key to this.

Re your point about chaos...great attacking teams, and I include this Liverpool team as an example, create chaos among opposition defences because of the variety of attacking strategies they have and the movement of their players as a unit.

Reduce the attacking intent and ability of their WBs to go forward, and you reduce one of their key strategies, which is to create chaos by stretching defences.

 

[hutchiniho]

5 in midfield I think will be key.
Hadn’t seen it before but TAA and Robertson were both in the top five Prem assists table this season with 12 and 11 a piece. Hazard top with 15. Fraser and Eriksen in 2nd and 3rd.
Those are crazy assist numbers from full back and coming from both flanks.
Son and Moura wide working hard to cover and then quick transition to break maybe

 

[thebenjamin]

5 in midfield I think will be key.
Hadn’t seen it before but TAA and Robertson were both in the top five Prem assists table this season with 12 and 11 a piece. Hazard top with 15. Fraser and Eriksen in 2nd and 3rd.
Those are crazy assist numbers from full back and coming from both flanks.
Son and Moura wide working hard to cover and then quick transition to break maybe

At Anfield when we switched to 5 in midfield with the wings covered, everything changed and we dominated from that point forward. I think we'll line up like that again.

 

[Sevens]

Back four needs midfield protection. It's a massive risk putting Winks in there as he really isn't a defensive player and was very much a square peg in a round hole when played there this season. This is doubly so when he is only just returning from injury. So Dier or Wanyama has to sit in there. I'd go for Dier.

4231 or 433 for me. Kane up top. Moura and Son on the flanks. Eriksen either number 10 or in midfield alongside Dier and Sissoko. Alli on the bench for me.

Back four picks itself. Trippier (no viable alternative), Toby, Verts and Rose.

 

[Hazard]

Lloris

Aurier Alderweireld Vertonghen Rose

Sissoko Eriksen

Lucas Dele Son

Kane

 

[ohtottenham!]

5 in midfield I think will be key.
Hadn’t seen it before but TAA and Robertson were both in the top five Prem assists table this season with 12 and 11 a piece. Hazard top with 15. Fraser and Eriksen in 2nd and 3rd.
Those are crazy assist numbers from full back and coming from both flanks.
Son and Moura wide working hard to cover and then quick transition to break maybe

Both those WBs are great distributors and crossers of the ball. Imo, they're the main reason Liverpool have taken the next step this season with almost winning the PL and challenging City.

We're more solid on the left side with Rose and Vertonghen to cover TAA. Would prefer Sonny on that flank, and Moura on the right against Robertson, which is our most vulnerable flank defensively.

There'll be plenty of switching and movement going on with our attacks. Son and Moura, if both start, Eriksen, Alli and Sissoko all driving forward and stretching their defence, but still, I'm sure Poch will be outlining strategies to stop their threats from defence on the flanks.

 

[ohtottenham!]

Back four needs midfield protection. It's a massive risk putting Winks in there as he really isn't a defensive player and was very much a square peg in a round hole when played there this season. This is doubly so when he is only just returning from injury. So Dier or Wanyama has to sit in there. I'd go for Dier.

4231 or 433 for me. Kane up top. Moura and Son on the flanks. Eriksen either number 10 or in midfield alongside Dier and Sissoko. Alli on the bench for me.

Back four picks itself. Trippier (no viable alternative), Toby, Verts and Rose.

Think Sissoko's picked up a lot of that defensive responsibility in Winks' absence. It's a big part of the reason we're even in the final. As long as Winks is physically fit, he has to play with Moussa. They work well together.

 

[JCRD]

Each of their wing backs had 10+ assists in the PL alone! So much of their attacking threat comes down their flanks from defence. Liverpool will absolutely care if we do the job of closing down those channels. It’s key to how they operate as an offensive unit.

Like you say, and I agree, Sissoko will be providing help on Trippier’s flank. He’ll also have plenty of defensive work to do centrally with the movement of their front three, as well as his task of winning the CM battle.

It will be cat and mouse all over the park with both teams trying to maximize their own strengths and minimize their opponent’s strengths. Shutting down their WBs as an offensive threat is key to this.

Re your point about chaos...great attacking teams, and I include this Liverpool team as an example, create chaos among opposition defences because of the variety of attacking strategies they have and the movement of their players as a unit. Reduce the attacking intent and ability of their WBs to go forward, and you reduce one of their key strategies, which is to create chaos by stretching defences.

Care was the wrong word, but i think they would back themselves to cause more damage than we would cause... they would back their central defenders and Henderson et al to make up for any defence on the wings and cover off any danger from our forwards and Son/Lucas...

The two wingers and the front three - is just so dangerous...

I agree it will be cat and mouse... it will be a PL tie, it could very well be a Man City v Spurs kinda game... the thing is we lost that game.