Tottenham Hotspur 1:1 Manchester United

bsCallout · Jun 15, 2020

We are possibly giving out false info to throw them off.

or

We will start with Matic, Fred, Bruno. High intensity from the off with the ability to bring McT and Pogba on to keep that intensity going for the full 90 and keep a good balance to the midfield that we are used to.

I expect it to be the second one.

Rozay · Jun 15, 2020

I wouldn’t necessarily be surprised if it were true that Pogba doesn’t start the game, and Ole wants to build his match fitness. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Whitwell added the ‘and earn his place’ but himself, based on personal sentiment. It’s been clear that a lot of the media have been talking up the merits of that for a while and probably what they’d like to see happen.

I can’t imagine Ole or a member of staff with input into team selection would have used that kind of language to a journo. Similarly with Rashford. He may not start, for whatever reason, but I doubt we’d be telling journos that we think he needs to earn a place.

RedTiger · Jun 15, 2020

bsCallout said:
We are possibly giving out false info to throw them off.

or

We will start with Matic, Fred, Bruno. High intensity from the off with the ability to bring McT and Pogba on to keep that intensity going for the full 90 and keep a good balance to the midfield that we are used to.

I expect it to be the second one.

With 5 subs allowed your 2nd option is almost guaranteed.

Posh Red · Jun 15, 2020

Rozay said:
I wouldn’t necessarily be surprised if it were true that Pogba doesn’t start the game, and Ole wants to build his match fitness. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Whitwell added the ‘and earn his place’ but himself, based on personal sentiment. It’s been clear that a lot of the media have been talking up the merits of that for a while and probably what they’d like to see happen.

I can’t imagine Ole or a member of staff with input into team selection would have used that kind of language to a journo. Similarly with Rashford. He may not start, for whatever reason, but I doubt we’d be telling journos that we think he needs to earn a place.

I can’t see both not starting. It seems more sensible to try and win the game as early as possible for me, and bring off the big guns when/if we’re comfortable.

Jonno · Jun 15, 2020

Absolutely cannot wait for this.

I've a feeling he'll unleash both Pogba and Bruno. Why on earth wouldn't he. Suddenly we've gone from having a bang average midfield for the past 6-8 years to this.

On a personal level, I'm hooking the projector up to the sky box, getting the beers in and cranking it up to volume 100.

SuperiorXI · Jun 15, 2020

Would be silly to not start both Pogba and Bruno, unless they've picked up knocks.

TrustInOle · Jun 15, 2020

Anyone know if there will be press conferences?

tomaldinho1 · Jun 15, 2020

balaks said:
He will probably be up against Son which will be an interesting matchup then.

It will indeed! I personally see Son coming a lot more inside because he'll be trying to run at Lindelof and feed off Kane.

Rozay · Jun 15, 2020

tomaldinho1 said:
It will indeed! I personally see Son coming a lot more inside because he'll be trying to run at Lindelof and feed off Kane.

Tempting fate but, Harry Kane doesn’t scare me in the slightest. Any decent defender can handle him. Of course, if presented with a clear sight of goal, he’ll most likely take the chance - but earning that clear sight of goal? He’s barely ever managed it against us. He won’t run past anyone, won’t beat a man. If concentration is kept and he’s not afforded a clear sight of goal - I think we’ll manage him. He’s scored a couple of 6 yard box goals against us in his career, and he’ll do so again if he gets a chance, but Son is the real threat for me.

Gasolin · Jun 15, 2020

Rozay said:
Tempting fate but, Harry Kane doesn’t scare me in the slightest. Any decent defender can handle him. Of course, if presented with a clear sight of goal, he’ll most likely take the chance - but earning that clear sight of goal? He’s barely ever managed it against us. He won’t run past anyone, won’t beat a man. If concentration is kept and he’s not afforded a clear sight of goal - I think we’ll manage him. He’s scored a couple of 6 yard box goals against us in his career, and he’ll do so again if he gets a chance, but Son is the real threat for me.

Agreed, Son is going to be against AWB first, and maybe Shaw, if he switches. I have a feeling this Son vs AWB battle is going to be epic, especially because a full fit Son is very incisive, and also because he has a strong mentality. Against that, I so hope AWB is impeccable on Friday. If things go well, Son might be forced to go on the left against Shaw. There, I don't know how it will go but most likely, Maguire is going to help Shaw.

Gasolin · Jun 15, 2020

Posh Red said:
Yeah fair. I heard a rumour that Pogba and Bruno played together in a friendly. If that’s true then it is a dead cert for me that Ole has seen enough in training to start both of them. Four days time and we will know for sure either way

But why start both when we can contain for the first half and create havoc in the second? everyone has 5 changes, so we can be very strong. We could line up subs for Pogba, Greenwood, Igdaho, Scott and maybe Gomes or William depending on the situation on the field, no?

Gasolin · Jun 15, 2020

Rozay said:
Someone should tell Deschamps.

Deschamps uses Griezmann for that creative role I think, and uses Pogba has a creative CM.

Lentwood · Jun 15, 2020

In theory we can probably afford to lose this game and given our relatively easy run-in still get top four

On that basis, I think we should use this as an opportunity to see how Pogba, Fernandes and Fred works as a 3-man midfield with Rashford AML, Greenwood AMR and Martial CF

USREDEVIL · Jun 15, 2020

Glad Alli isn't on the pitch. Hopefully Kane is fattened up and Son is shell-shocked from his military combat...

Rightnr · Jun 15, 2020

Forgot this place existed. Let's smash Spurs.

TrustInOle · Jun 15, 2020

Gone for 0-4, the lads look in pretty top knick when viewing recent training and match footage.

With all our attacking talent that will be on show, no doubt, I am very excited to see Williams continued development. Said it from his first few games, but there is a real player there with a mentality not seen in many youngsters today, almost Gary Neville-esque in that regard. I see Shaw starting by eventually Brandon will be on around 60 minute mark.

DDG
AWB....Lindelof....Maguire.....Shaw
Pogba...... Matic
Bruno
James......Tony......Rashford

Williams, Baily, Fred, Scott and Mason for subs.
Tony X2, Rashford, Bruno

Excitement is really starting to kick in! Let's av' it boys

Brightonian · Jun 15, 2020

Huge amount of discussion of our line-up and almost none of Spurs'. How will they set up?

Alli out suspended, of course. Also apparently Tanganga picked up a stress fracture in his back today (nasty, I feel for the lad), so he's out too.

Santoryo · Jun 15, 2020

Brightonian said:
Huge amount of discussion of our line-up and almost none of Spurs'. How will they set up?

Alli out suspended, of course. Also apparently Tanganga picked up a stress fracture in his back today (nasty, I feel for the lad), so he's out too.

Was he a key starter in their team?

Web of Bissaka · Jun 15, 2020

Put Son as SS or CAM and Spurs may nick a win.

Rozay · Jun 16, 2020

Brightonian said:
Huge amount of discussion of our line-up and almost none of Spurs'. How will they set up?

Alli out suspended, of course. Also apparently Tanganga picked up a stress fracture in his back today (nasty, I feel for the lad), so he's out too.

Yea I saw the news on Tanganga earlier, and funny as I was just thinking about his role in particular. I think his loss will be a blow to JMs plans. He’d have likely played right back and been asked to follow Rashford, and he has the athleticism to do it.

Adcuth · Jun 16, 2020

Try the diamond

De Gea

AWB Bailley Maguire Shaw

Matic

Bruno Pogba

Gomes

Martial Rashford

feck it

United58 · Jun 16, 2020

Anyone else think we'll see a Matic-Pogba-Bruno midfield? I'm thinking either that, or Ole will try out the diamond.

Scroto Baggins · Jun 16, 2020

Nickelodeon said:
Laurie Whitwell has reported that Pogba will be on the bench with something to do on fitness and earning his place. As much as I support this sentiment, I was really looking forward to Brogba

Seems fair enough if that is the case, Pogba to slowly get his sharpness and match fitness back. Not instantly get thrown into the team because he is Pogba.

I seen a couple Spurs games before the season was suspended and they were terrible. Mid table at best. But clearly without your two world class players you are going to drop down the table, both Son and Kane will be back for this one. I feel they missed the physical presence of Sissoko in midfield as well, having Winks and Skip as your midfield duo is far too light weight. And given Ndombele's injuries he cannot be relied upon either. He was either coming back from injury and thus lacking match fitness/sharpness or out injured when I saw Spurs.

United58 · Jun 16, 2020

Nickelodeon said:
Laurie Whitwell has reported that Pogba will be on the bench with something to do on fitness and earning his place. As much as I support this sentiment, I was really looking forward to Brogba

Given that info, IMO we'll see

De Gea

AWB - Lindelof - Maguire - Shaw

Fred - Matic

Bruno

Greenwood - Martial - Rashford

Scroto Baggins · Jun 16, 2020

Brightonian said:
Huge amount of discussion of our line-up and almost none of Spurs'. How will they set up?

Alli out suspended, of course. Also apparently Tanganga picked up a stress fracture in his back today (nasty, I feel for the lad), so he's out too.

Both Sanchez and Lo Celso missed Spurs in house training and friendly so could be not up to speed or have slight niggles, add Alli, suspended, and Tanganga, stress fracture, to that list.

So in that case maybe a back three from Spurs? Alderweireld on the right, Davies on the left, Dier in the middle. Aurier and Sessegnon wing backs. Son and Kane up top. Midfield, hmm Sissoko, Winks, Ndombele. I feel that is the more conservative approach, a more attacking approach would be a 4-3-3, back four Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Davies, same midfield just with an extra attacker, Moura and Son either side of Kane.

Strelok · Jun 16, 2020

United58 said:
Anyone else think we'll see a Matic-Pogba-Bruno midfield? I'm thinking either that, or Ole will try out the diamond.

I'm not in favour of that tbh. Matic is too slow, Pogba usually doesn't care much about defense duties. Bruno would have to run his ass off covering for both. A diamond only works if you have good attacking FBs, we don't. And this is not a match where we can experiment new stuff I think.

A good midfield is all about balance. Matic-Fred-Bruno is much better for this match imo. Fred-Pogba-Bruno is a bit risky as well as Fred is no DM. Spurs are no longer what they used to be but still a very capable team. They're not a team that we can easily dominate and play as we feel like.

Imo we should start the match slow, play safe and look for counter attack. Then we'll see to bring in Pogba if we'd need a goal or McT if we'd need to shut them off. This is a match that both sides must win, will be interesting I think.

P-Nut · Jun 16, 2020

I'm desperate to see Pogba and Fernandes together, however it does make a lot of sense to start with Matic, and one of Fred/McTominay with the other on the bench.

Means we can bring on Pogba along with the one that didn't start and still have 3 subs spare.

That level of quality coming on against tired legs will be insane.

Add in one of James/Greenwood and the quality of those subs is huge.

Devil may care · Jun 16, 2020

Really hard to predict with no football to judge off for 3 months. I think Rashford will start if fit and I think we'll go high energy with Fred, McTominay, Bruno and James all in the mix.

The Boy · Jun 16, 2020

Devil may care said:
Really hard to predict with no football to judge off for 3 months. I think Rashford will start if fit and I think we'll go high energy with Fred, McTominay, Bruno and James all in the mix.

This is exactly the same line up that I have predicted with Pogba, Greenwood and Ighalo, plus two more possibly, coming on in the second half when people begin to tire.

SpyLuke10 · Jun 16, 2020

The Boy said:
This is exactly the same line up that I have predicted with Pogba, Greenwood and Ighalo, plus two more possibly, coming on in the second half when people begin to tire.

Yep. For the two more, Matic and either Bailly, Williams or Pereira probably, depending on how the game is going.

red_de_pologne · Jun 16, 2020

Will we be able to predict the 5 subs in the line up prediction?

What is generally the reasoning behind the 5 substitutes idea?

Havak · Jun 16, 2020

red_de_pologne said:
Will we be able to predict the 5 subs in the line up prediction?

What is generally the reasoning behind the 5 substitutes idea?

There was a massive increase in muscle related injuries in Germany if I remember correctly for the first few weeks, something in the region of 300%+ without fact checking it. It was pinned down to the length of time off and quick return without a pre-season of sorts. Assume this is just a way to bring off more of your players who usually run the most so they don't do some damage in the last 20 minutes or so (full backs, CMs, wingers etc).

Nicoseth · Jun 16, 2020

Think Matic starts this one. As much as we want to win this game, we simply cannot afford to lose it. Ole will be pragmatic - Matic and Fred behind Bruno, with Pogba coming on later. I think we'll win 2-0.

Nickelodeon · Jun 16, 2020

Nicoseth said:
Think Matic starts this one. As much as we want to win this game, we simply cannot afford to lose it. Ole will be pragmatic - Matic and Fred behind Bruno, with Pogba coming on later. I think we'll win 2-0.

Matic has to play. He was in terrific form before the lockdown and his presence has been key towards our impeccable defensive record in the last 11 games.

Apart from this, I have been feeling strangely confident about this game. The last time I felt this way about a big game was away at Arsenal where we duly underwhelmed. Let's hope we get a win, any type of win.

Withnail · Jun 16, 2020

Strelok said:
I'm not in favour of that tbh. Matic is too slow, Pogba usually doesn't care much about defense duties. Bruno would have to run his ass off covering for both. A diamond only works if you have good attacking FBs, we don't. And this is not a match where we can experiment new stuff I think.

A good midfield is all about balance. Matic-Fred-Bruno is much better for this match imo. Fred-Pogba-Bruno is a bit risky as well as Fred is no DM. Spurs are no longer what they used to be but still a very capable team. They're not a team that we can easily dominate and play as we feel like.

Imo we should start the match slow, play safe and look for counter attack. Then we'll see to bring in Pogba if we'd need a goal or McT if we'd need to shut them off. This is a match that both sides must win, will be interesting I think.

If we play slow and safe, looking to counter against a Mourinho team it's gonna be a long night :lol:

You're right it will be interesting to see what starting line up he goes with and how the subs affect things. Mightn't be a bad shout bringing on the likes of Pogba, and McT when they're tiring,
Its a pity our first game back wasn't against a weaker team. There are just so many unknowns with this one.

I think the starting line up will depend on who the fittest players are. Here's hoping no one gets injured.

Still think we'll do them 1 or 2 nil.

Havak · Jun 16, 2020

Going to be a bit positive and say: Spurs 1-2 Man Utd

de Gea
Wan-Bissaka Lindelof Maguire Shaw
Fred Matic
James Fernandes Rashford
Martial

I'm wondering if we can name more than seven substitutes if we can use five?

I expect Pogba, McTominay, Ighalo, Mata/Lingard/Andreas to be four of them. The other being a defender or perhaps Greenwood if we are losing in the final 20.

tenpoless · Jun 16, 2020

Football returns and the first team We face is Jose's. :lol:

He just won't go away.

Anyway I'd start with the same midfield as above. Fred Matic Bruno. If the game turns ugly where We get no chances because Jose parks the bus then it's time to bring in Pogba or if We need more creativity. And if Pogba plays with Bruno then McTom is a must. Matic... I don't know if He's mobile enough to chase players around, if both Pogba and Bruno plays offensively. You cannot underestimate Fred's work rate, without him We need McTom.

jamesjimmybyrondean · Jun 16, 2020

Okay I'm beginning to think we should start with Matic Fred and Bruno. It's balanced and has been our best midfield. I also think having a fresh Pogba coming off the bench is a frightening thing for the opponent

Strelok · Jun 16, 2020

Withnail said:
If we play slow and safe, looking to counter against a Mourinho team it's gonna be a long night

You're right it will be interesting to see what starting line up he goes with and how the subs affect things. Mightn't be a bad shout bringing on the likes of Pogba, and McT when they're tiring,
Its a pity our first game back wasn't against a weaker team. There are just so many unknowns with this one.

Yeah

I actually mean only at the start like 20-25 min max. As you said there are just so many unknows with this one, both teams are back from a very long period with no competitive football, etc. so it'd be safer if we start slow to see how things go then make changes accordingly I think. If we go all out at the start and somehow concede a goal, our plan gonna go thru the window and Jose will just park a bus, we all know him. It'll be much more difficult if so. The match is 90 min anyway.

I think the starting line up will depend on who the fittest players are. Here's hoping no one gets injured.

Still think we'll do them 1 or 2 nil.

Sure thing. Player form pre Covid is pretty irrelevant now as it's been just too long. So who give the best in training sessions will be picked I think.

Knux · Jun 16, 2020

I really looking forward to this now. Tomorrow we have PL football back! Cant believe it

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