Tuesday Hoddle of Coffee: Spurs face Reds, October 25, 2016

Later today we’ll be taking on Liverpool in a League Cup tie at Anfield. Hopefully it goes better than our last date with the Reds. The main thing to watch will be our squad selection. Will Mauricio Pochettino favor a rotated squad in order to give players like Victor Wanyama, Vincent Janssen, and Christian Eriksen a rest, or will he send out something closer to a full-strength side?

As far as the tactics go, Liverpool thrives on chaos:

They want the game to be played at a frantic, out-of-control pace that maximizes the space their speed players have to run into. Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Adam Lallana thrive in those kind of matches.

Spurs, though we also use a high press, are a more attritional kind of team. We don’t want chaos; we want a slow constriction of the opposition until they break. So the key for Tottenham today will be how much we can limit the chaos and can control the ball and pressure Liverpool. Midfield will be a major part of this effort so if Harry Winks does get a start, this could be a massive chance for him to impress Pochettino.

The same goes for Josh Onomah. Mousa Sissoko has been unimpressive so far and is facing suspension. If Onomah gets a start today and looks sharp, he may suddenly find himself enjoying more regular playing time. (I’m tentatively setting the over-under on “number of times Dustin goes ‘JOSHY! (heart emoji)’ in the writer’s room” to 4.5.)

On to the links:

David Moyes has found his level.

Inter Milan are arguing about who should replace new boss Frank de Boer.

This breakdown of United’s defeat to Chelsea is helpful.