And so back down to earth. Supporters of West Brom might consider it insulting that we view a visit to the Hawthorns as anticlimactic after gaining a draw with a League One side during the week but the nature of that draw and the subsequent reward make that the case. It’s not the Spurs way to do things easily of course thus the game on Wednesday night will have left a mental as well as physical hangover. With 38 (I think, I read it somewhere) games played already, it’d be a miracle if there wasn’t some sort of weary cloud hanging over our squad but I don’t think there is currently and whilst we remain relatively successful one imagines that will continue. If we’re still feeling the same on March 2nd, after the games against Fiorentina and Chelski, we’ll have done extremely well.
So rotation will be high in Pochettino’s thoughts as he prepares for Saturday afternoon. Our reliance upon Eriksen and Kane to make difference and get the goals will be slightly assuaged by the return to the squad of Nacer Chadli, wouldn’t it be nice to wake up on Tuesday morning though with some attacking speed merchant in our ranks, someone who would distract from and lift us out of the stodgy lack of pace that so often settles over the side?
Due to our apparent lack of injuries the coach at least has options. Dier and Fazio are currently battling it out to play alongside Vertonghen, neither Davies nor Walker has fully convinced at left back, Lamela is currently ahead of Townsend if those two are vying for a place and Dembele gave one of his best performances for a while playing slightly further forward on Wednesday. Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Mason, Stambouli, Eriksen and Kane are probably seven of the starting line up, I suspect Rose, Townsend, Dembele and Fazio will fill the remaining positions with Chadli & Lamela playing at least half an hour later on.
Tony Pulis has had a predictable effect on West Brom since he was helicoptered in with three clean sheets in four games. The ability of some managers to immediately organise a defence that was previously a bit of a shambles never ceases to amaze me. Up front he appears to be going for the tricky wingers (Calum Mcmanaman signed this week) and little and large (Anichebe and Berahino) in the middle approach. If he can keep the tight defence and put a midfield in place to link it all together, they’ll give us a very tough game.
There’ll be a bit of comedy at half time according to the West Brom website. ‘Superbowl fever is about to grip the nation’ and as a result the Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders are scheduled to strut their stuff during the break. It’ll help the gloved and hatted Adebayor, Capoue, Chiriches and Soldado take their mind off the cold anyway.
Kevin Friend is the man in charge. COYS.
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