On Saturday, Spurs visit the Etihad Stadium – a venue where they have lost four times as many four seasons since that famous Peter Crouch winner in 2010. Spurs have changed their managing personnel three times since and only two playing personnel are in contention to feature that were involved on that famous night in Spurs’ recent history.
Last year’s infamous 6-0 defeat at the hands of the eventual Champions was a bitter blow to a new Spurs side and is a result nobody at the club wishes to see any time soon. With new manager Mauricio Pochettino in charge, Tottenham have began the new season fairly well. Unfortunately for us, the sometimes brilliant performances haven’t transpired into results and a lot has been left to be desired up top.
Spurs enter the game on the back of a win before the international break, against Pochettino’s former side – Southampton. A gutsy defensive showing, like that of the game away at The Emirates, was won in the first half by Christian Eriksen. Saturday’s game, however, will be a much tougher test against a side that haven’t been as lauded as they deserve to be due to people’s marvel – perhaps even obsession – at Chelsea’s thunderous start to the new campaign. A difficult test lies in store, a fresh test under the management of the Argentine. Many feel that if he replicates the set up that saw us earn a point of our North London rivals, we can avoid the humiliation we were treated to last season.
There will be changes from the Southampton game as Kyle Naughton, after a very good start to the season, limped off against Southampton. Hugo Lloris and Nacer Chadli – both who have had magnificent starts to life under Pochettino – didn’t feature for their national sides in midweek but are expected to be fit for Saturday. The expected intention will be to try and snatch a point and this may result in Spurs setting up to counter attack. With a front three of Erik Lamela, Emmanuel Adebayor and Chadli, Spurs possess a lot of pace on the counter; with Eriksen expected to sit slightly deeper and feed passes into those ahead of him. Spurs may also play both Etienne Capoue and summer signing Benjamin Stambouli to provide extra protection for the back four at the expense of the new kid on the block – Ryan Mason. Harry Kane may also be in contention for a start due to his goals but also his incredible work rate, something that is essential in Pochettino’s pressing game. All Spurs fans know a win is extremely difficult to come by but would happily take a draw if offered before the game.
My Predicted Line Up:
Lloris
Dier Kaboul (C) Vertonghen Rose
Capoue Dembélé
Lamela Eriksen Chadli
Kane
Subs: Vorm, Fazio, Davies, Stambouli, Lennon, Adebayor, Soldado.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Tottenham
Come On You Spurs!
