The fixture list doesn’t get any less congested for Tottenham Hotspur, as we come up against Burnley for the third time in a month.
With so many more games on the horizon off the back of so many passed, this FA Cup third round replay will be an ideal time for our key players to take a well-earned rest, and our back-ups to prove their worth to Mauricio Pochettino before it’s too late.
After Saturday’s abysmal showing at Crystal Palace, it’s very possible Poch will be using this cup game to evaluate players on the fringes of the first team, and see if they’re up to scratch for a regular place. It’s a method which has seen Ryan Mason finally break into the Tottenham team, strengthened the centre back partnership of Federico Fazio and Jan Vertonghen, and of course, seen the untimely rise of one Harry Kane.
When all those listed players broke into the team, it was usually off the back of disappointment or mediocrity- something that has been left lingering after our loss at Palace.
The energy, drive and tactical nous seen only the previous week in our 5-3 win over Chelsea had seemingly evaporated. Instead of another well fought victory, we watched a set of pub footballers become the architects of their own downfall.
Unlike so many cases this season, there was no last gasp winner to save us this time, no Harry Kane wonder strike, no Christian Eriksen free kick. It was a real kick up the arse, and now we have to save our season from collapsing.
Source: tottenhamhotspur.com
So many times in recent history have we blown away opportunities to break into the elite, to win a trophy- that must stop. Defeat at home to Burnley may not stand for much in the history books, but we’ll know how it could define our 2014-15 season.
17 year old Josh Onamah was an unused substitute in the initial fixture at Turf Moor, and I believe he’ll be given a chance to showcase his talent on Wednesday. In terms of injury news, Erik Lamela and Ryan Mason could return from niggling injuries ahead of our Premier League game with Sunderland on Saturday.
A cameo in Saturday’s defeat proved that Etienne Capoue is actually still alive, and could use this match as a way of working his way back into the first eleven. DeAndre Yedlin is in need of match fitness so I’m expecting an appearance from him. Should club captain Younes Kaboul not feature at all, you have to expect his supposed move to Besiktas is edging forever closer.
Sean Dyche isn’t usually a fan of chopping and changing his starting eleven- if he likes you, expect a long run in the side. However the ‘Ginger Mourinho’ could be forced to alter his selection. Burnley have a packed injury list and a small squad which, combined with the gruelling fixture list just endured, could mean some fairly obscure names will start at the Lane.
I don’t expect many supporters, whether they be adorning lilywhite or claret and blue, to be at White Hart Lane for this encounter. I’ll be there on Wednesday, but I’ll wake up Thursday morning listening to how a crowd of 18,056 shows the FA Cup has lost its magic. Although I don’t believe this media ideology, I think it’s in our history to respect this competition and to always try and win it.
The winner of this tie will play Leicester City at home the weekend commencing January 24th.
Predicted XI: Vorm; Yedlin, Dier, Kaboul, Davies; Capoue, Dembele; Lennon, Onamah, Townsend; Soldado
Sean Walsh
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