A Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur news and links February 25, 2016

Happy Thursday, Spursland!

We've got the second leg of our tie with Fiorentina tonight and I feel like we owe them one from last year. I don't want to rehash last year's final leg at all, but I can't imagine tonight could go worse, so at least we've got that going for us.

Also, this lineup is going to be funky, and not only because of injuries. We have four matches in the next 10 days, culminating in an eagerly anticipated North London derby. Realistically, only the center backs are likely to play all of those minutes leaving the rest of the team sheet a virtual patchwork. And I don't have to tell you that all of this is happening within the context of a title race. It's a bit nerve wracking.

That's why I'm always cautiously optimistic. What seems like a sure thing one week is only two or three injuries and extreme fixture congestion away from being a totally different scenario. Despite all this, I'm still optimistic, and I think tonight is payback. Let's smash them.

And now for the "news":

Tottenham v. Fiorentina: what you need to know| Independent

Did they say that Erik Lamela is a player to watch? Maybe if you like fancy rabonas and nothing else, amirite?

Side note: Lamela would probably be a better defensive midfielder than Ryan Mason. He's like Lee Cattermole in his willingness to foul and hack, only with footballing skills to boot.

Mauricio-Dele Alli needs to show maturity and keep calm| Express

Seriously, think it over before recording a karaoke version of Bieber. I don't care if he makes grown up music now.

Mauricio-We need to learn from last year| Mirror

The ebbs and flows of total confidence to complete doubt I'm experiencing while writing this can't be good for my central nervous system.

Clint Dempsey tears CONCACAF a new one| SB Nation Lookit

That game shirt actually went up in value after his alteration.