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Tottenham projected starting XI at Watford: Expect a formation change from Pochettino

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on October 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on October 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
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DORTMUND, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 21: Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur (not pictured) scored their sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur at Signal Iduna Park on November 21, 2017 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 21: Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur (not pictured) scored their sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur at Signal Iduna Park on November 21, 2017 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /

Defensive midfielder-Harry Winks

I’m not nearly as big a fan of the young Englishman as many of you on social media appear to be, but his return is definitely welcome news for Tottenham. In Winks’ absence the midfield has looked slow and ponderous. His return to the starting XI should allow Pochettino’s side to increase its tempo significantly.

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This prediction is a bit of a gamble considering Pochettino’s preference to bring players back into the lineup more slowly. It won’t shock me if Winks starts this match on the bench, but his skill set is precisely what Spurs have been missing lately. As such, I can see Pochettino throwing him right back into the starting XI.

Defensive midfielder-Eric Dier

Dier should consider himself very lucky to be in the squad this week. If Mousa Dembele was fit enough to start two matches in a row he’d certainly be my choice. Dier’s atrocious performance against Leicester merits him being dropped from the squad altogether.

Unfortunately, Pochettino doesn’t have that option. Unless he wants to slide Dele Alli or Christian Eriksen back into the defensive midfield, he has to trot Dier out there again. That doesn’t seem like a reasonable strategy against Watford. Dier gets one more chance to prove he’s deserving of a spot in the starting XI.

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