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Tottenham projected starting XI v Hull: Expect loads of Spurs changes

By Rucker Haringey

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Moussa Sissoko of Tottenham Hotspur and Michael Carrick of Manchester United compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on December 11, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Moussa Sissoko of Tottenham Hotspur and Michael Carrick of Manchester United compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on December 11, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 07: Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier applauds the fans at full time of the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and PFC CSKA Moskva at Wembley Stadium on December 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Craig Mercer – CameraSport via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 07: Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier applauds the fans at full time of the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and PFC CSKA Moskva at Wembley Stadium on December 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Craig Mercer – CameraSport via Getty Images) /

The Defensive Midfield

Some Tottenham fans wanted to see Eric Dier in the starting XI against Manchester United, but Pochettino made the right call by leaving him on the bench. His play this season just hasn’t been good enough to push either Victor Wanyama or Mousa Dembele out of the starting lineup.

Unfortunately, Dembele’s injury means Dier will need to rejoin the starting XI. Frankly, I wanted to see Dier in the lineup even if the Belgian midfielder hadn’t suffered an injury at Old Trafford. The English international isn’t going to regain his form by sitting on the bench. He needs some playing time to shake off the cobwebs.

Dier will get that opportunity against Hull. They are a perfect opponent for him to find some confidence. Expect him to get a full 90 minutes against the Tigers.

The other spot in the starting XI should come down to a choice between Victor Wanyama and Harry Winks. The safe play would be to partner Wanyama with Dier. Again, Pochettino is going to make the bold choice here. He’ll go with Winks to partner with Dier in order to form a well-balanced midfield. Starting Wanyama and Dier would be to negative and besides, the talented Kenyan deserves a rest.

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