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Tottenham boss considering shocking FA Cup decision

By Rucker Haringey

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 674036840 and 942986596) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur meet in a Emirates FA Cup Semi Final on April 21. 2018 at Wembley in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on April 27, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Bet365 Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 674036840 and 942986596) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur meet in a Emirates FA Cup Semi Final on April 21. 2018 at Wembley in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on April 27, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Bet365 Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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Could Michel Vorm really start for Tottenham?

Mauricio Pochettino has built up a ton of goodwill with Spurs fans, but he could erase it all with one erratic decision on Saturday. If Tottenham start Michel Vorm ahead of Hugo Lloris against Manchester United, Spurs fans might actually riot.

Per reputable journalist Ben Pearce, that is a distinct possibility. He asked Pochettino about his plans ahead of this weekend’s massive clash and the Spurs boss declined to name a starting keeper. It’s up to you whether or not to believe Pochettino is still deciding which keeper to start or if he’s just playing coy with the media.

Call me crazy, but I could see Pochettino giving Vorm the nod. Firstly, Vorm has played all of the club’s other FA Cup competitions. There’s something harsh about dropping him from the side after he’s played such an integral role in getting Tottenham to this stage in the competition.

There’s also the small matter of Lloris’ erratic form of late. The Frenchman is still one of the top keepers in Europe in my opinion, but there’s no denying his recent drop in form. One mental error against United this weekend could see Spurs crashing out of their last chance of the season to end their trophy drought.

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Giving Vorm the nod in such a massive fixture could also help Spurs retain his services beyond this season. It’s no secret he’d like to leave this summer to become a first choice keeper somewhere else.

Perhaps trusting him with one of Tottenham’s most important matches of the season would be enough to keep him for another season or two.

Despite all those arguments to the contrary, you should still expect Lloris to start against United this weekend. No matter how much credit Vorm deserves for helping Spurs get this far, it’s Lloris that deserves credit for sticking with the club during some real lean years. Sitting him on such an important day would be a poor reward for his service to the club.

It’s not a lock though. Pochettino has a different way of thinking about things than most fans. It shouldn’t be an absolute shock if he sticks with Vorm on Saturday.

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