Playing for 90
Fansided

Tottenham must start Erik Lamela against Watford

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Harry Kane (R) of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring the opening goal with Erik Lamela during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City at White Hart Lane on December 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Harry Kane (R) of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring the opening goal with Erik Lamela during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City at White Hart Lane on December 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Watford’s physical roster demands that Tottenham put Erik Lamela in the starting 11

There’s been a great deal of discussion on what formation Mauricio Pochettino should employ for Tottenham against Watford tomorrow. I’m much more interested in the personnel he selects to play in the match. Specifically, I think Erik Lamela has to make his return to the starting 11 tomorrow.

Watford will come into White Hart Lane with a roster designed to physically intimidate Spurs. From Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney up top, back to Etienne Capoue in the middle of the park, the Hornets are loaded with physical players. Tottenham must match that toughness if they intend to get three points from the match.

Erik Lamela might not be the first player you think of on Tottenham’s roster when you’re looking for tough guys, but he’s perfect to play against Watford. The nasty side of his game is perfect to combat the physicality Watford will try to employ. Spurs will need his nasty edge to be at their best.

More from Playing for 90

Of course, Lamela starting means that one of Tottenham’s other talented attackers has to be removed from the lineup. I think this would be a good match to sit Son Heung-Min. The South Korean star is more physical than most give him credit for, but I think he’d find himself crowded out of the midfield in this match-up.

At the moment, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen are must-starts in Tottenham’s attacking four. That leaves two open spots for consideration. If fit, Dele Alli claims one of those two spots. That leaves the last of the four up to Lamela, Son and possibly even Nacer Chadli.

More from Premier League

Chadli has been hot so I could see him getting the nod, but I think that would be a mistake by Pochettino. The action of this match will be fast and furious to begin with and that pace doesn’t favor the more plodding Chadli. It is, however, perfect for Lamela’s frenetic style.

Don’t mistake my advocacy for starting Lamela as some sort of defensive set-up. On the contrary, I think playing Lamela instead of Son or Chadli will give Spurs quite a bit more possession. I also think it makes the squad more dangerous on the counter-attack. When the inclusion of a player makes you more dangerous with and without the ball, it’s a good sign you should start him.

Related Story: 5 Tottenham alternatives to Harry Kane

Lamela is the right choice to start the game, but certainly will be a candidate not to finish it. I’d be surprised if he didn’t pick up a yellow card somewhere along the way given the contentious match we can expect. He needs to start to help set the tone for Tottenham, but he can be subbed off for Son or Chadli to offer something different as the game progresses.

Tottenham will look to extend its excellent run of form against Watford at White Hart Lane tomorrow. I just hope the starting 11 includes Erik Lamela to combat the bruising style of Watford.

Home/Premier League