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5 things Tottenham must do to advance against Gent

By Rucker Haringey

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Harry Kane and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur speak during Tottenham Hotspur Press Conference at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground on February 22, 2017 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
ENFIELD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Harry Kane and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur speak during Tottenham Hotspur Press Conference at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground on February 22, 2017 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /
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GENT, BELGIUM – FEBRUARY 15: Goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur speaks the media during the Press Conference held at the Ghelamco Arena stadium on February 15, 2017 in Gent, Belgium. KAA Gent will play Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League match on the February 16, 2017. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
GENT, BELGIUM – FEBRUARY 15: Goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur speaks the media during the Press Conference held at the Ghelamco Arena stadium on February 15, 2017 in Gent, Belgium. KAA Gent will play Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League match on the February 16, 2017. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

2. Keep a clean sheet

It may seem very obvious, but keeping a clean sheet is the easiest way for Spurs to advance. If they give up a goal to Gent, it’s going to require Tottenham to score three goals to win. That type of pressure could be too much for such a young squad.

If I were Pochettino, I’d start Hugo Lloris in this match. I know Vorm performed well at Gent, but this is too important a match to start anything less than your best keeper. Spurs number one is clearly their French captain.

Fortunately, Pochettino will also have Jan Vertonghen at his disposal this time out. The talented Belgian missed the away fixture, but is fully fit now. Count on the gaffer trotting he and Alderweireld out in his starting XI for this match.

Keeping the ball out of the back of the net is all going to be about Tottenham’s defense remaining switched on for the full 90 minutes. Gent are going to be most dangerous on the counter, one lapse in concentration could be fatal for Spurs’ Europa League title hopes.

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