Pre-Match: Tottenham v Liverpool Carabao Cup SF 1st Leg Weds 8th Jan 20:00 KO

No Konate likely to play.

While rotation would be good here, I think Slot might go a bit stronger than expected, with some positions changing by means of default.

Slot said pre-game on Sunday that Konate wouldn't play midweek so that means that it is going to be Quansah & VVD at the back as they are the only other CBs available. The Trent stuff is interesting. If he doesn't start, then the media will focus in on it and spin the big narrative of 'Slot drops Trent' which is never nice for any player. He might deserve it, but I'm sure Slot wants to keep his criticism in-house and now have a lot of noise on top of the current furore. Especially when the contract stuff is factored in. Bradley might not actually be fit enough to play so soon again anyways, and for 45/60 mins.

The midfield I think will go stronger. Szobozlai is probably out, which reduces the numbers by 1. I think that Slot will be reluctant to start Endo in midfield as the Spurs press will target him for high turnovers via Maddison/Kulu and quick breaks through on goal. Endo is fine in certain games and situations, but I don't think that the slow build up, but quick turns to open the pitch up are his forte. He can ping a pass through the lines directly sure, but the quick movement and turns and methodical type stuff is not his strong point. Surely Elliott will get a start now though too, but I don't think Slot trusts him as the 10 yet. Jota to continue his recent role of playing as the 10, high and close to the front man

I think it might be something like this

----------------Kelleher-------------
Trent---Quansah---VVD---Tsimikas
------Gravenberch---MacA---------
Elliott-----------Jota------------Diaz
----------------Nunez---------------

Fitness pending I’m almost certain we will go full strength tomorrow.

Arsenal and Newcastle have tonight and we will follow suit.

Fitness pending I’m almost certain we will go full strength tomorrow.

Arsenal and Newcastle have tonight and we will follow suit.

Don’t think Arsenal and Newcastle have much choice though

Fitness pending I’m almost certain we will go full strength tomorrow.

Arsenal and Newcastle have tonight and we will follow suit.

I've got a feeling Kelleher may play.

Don’t think Arsenal and Newcastle have much choice though

Arsenal could have played Jorginho, Sterling etc and Newcastle could have gone with Barnes, Longstaff, Almiron etc.

I've got a feeling Kelleher may play.

Yeah I agree with this. He deserves to play in this competition and maybe the FA Cup too (although Klopp felt Ali was the FA Cup keeper, will be interesting to see how Slot sees it).

Yeah I agree with this. He deserves to play in this competition and maybe the FA Cup too (although Klopp felt Ali was the FA Cup keeper, will be interesting to see how Slot sees it).

Could play him both games then bring Ali back for Forest

Gonna be tough if we don't shore up the back line. Konate I think was thrown in too soon after his injury, Trent has lost his mojo at the mo. Spurs clearly gonna attack him if he starts, and they do have lots of pace out wide.  Quansa is good if the right Quanta turns up. He can also be very nervous. Bradley is solid and half decent going forwards, and he does get back quickly. Robbo also needs a rest I think, and Tsimicas is ok and does offer some lovely crosses into the box, and decent corners. Think we also need Szobs energy in the middle with Mac. Grav behind these two. Mo, Gakpo and Jota, with Diaz in the false 9.
Kells in goal. That'll do it for me, 3-1 the RED MEN.

Couple of tweaks from Sunday imagine Quansah and Tzimikas come in and possibly Jota

Big game? Thought you lot called this the Micky Mouse Cup?

I never recall anyone call it that.

We've the most wins in it and one I always want us to win as well.

I never recall anyone call it

I can. Man utd fans. August 2001. There was even a banner.

I'd like us to play our best 11 except with Kelleher in Goal. Lets get this tie won in the 1st leg and the 2nd leg we can rest the main men.

I can. Man utd fans. August 2001. There was even a banner.

There was. I remember it. Obviously Keith doesn't (or maybe them rose tints blurred his vision!)

Kells...Brad..Quansah..V VD..Kostas..Graver..Mac. .Elliott..Mo..Jota..Nune z.

2-2

There was. I remember it. Obviously Keith doesn't (or maybe them rose tints blurred his vision!)

My names Keith not Billythekunt 😂

I remember it too but I never said we didn’t use the term Micky mouse cup. When knocked out I’ve been as guilty as anyone for using that term.

Many of you lot said it anyway so stop moving goal post. 😂


Ps… it’s only the Micky mouse cup anyway. 

My names Keith not Billythekunt 😂

I remember it too but I never said we didn’t use the term Micky mouse cup. When knocked out I’ve been as guilty as anyone for using that term.

Many of you lot said it anyway so stop moving goal post. 😂


Ps… it’s only the Micky mouse cup anyway. 

You still sniffin camel farts Keith?

My names Keith not Billythekunt 😂

I remember it too but I never said we didn’t use the term Micky mouse cup. When knocked out I’ve been as guilty as anyone for using that term.

Many of you lot said it anyway so stop moving goal post. 😂


Ps… it’s only the Micky mouse cup anyway. 

I suppose a Mickey Mouse cup, is better than no cup at all Keith. I'll be happy if we win it. Good start to the second half of the season in my book

Hope we smash these cu*ts & get the tie over and done with tonight..

As long as we don't go gung ho, and make sure our midfielfd fight and scrabble to get back when we lose possession, and make it hard for spurs to play through us, well win this. Leave them spaces in the middle of the park when we lose possession and well struggle to keep a clean sheet.
I don't have a problem seeing Grav marauding forward with the ball, as long as one of the others drop in to cover. With all three mids pushing on, we do leave ourselves exposed at times.
It's just seeing the situation and being disciplined enough to do what's needed. It's easy to get too enthusiastic about pushing up when you see we have teams under pressure, we just need to be more clinical in our covering.
I'm sure we'll score goals, we just need to close the openings to prevent spurs from scoring. A decent performance and a win tonight, will go a long way to instilling the belief and confidence again.
I think if we lose tonight (heaven forbid) we'll struggle against Forest at the weekend.

You still sniffin camel farts Keith?

No but by all means tell me considering you’ve already done it. 

I suppose a Mickey Mouse cup, is better than no cup at all Keith. I'll be happy if we win it. Good start to the second half of the season in my book

Me too, being fair I did say last year I thought this competition was picking up again. Like many fans though unless you reach the quarterfinals we can take it or leave it.

Seem to play better away than at home narrow 2  1 win for the Reds.

Seems Bradley is starting tonight