OPINION
Tottenham are likely to make two changes to their starting XI for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Cardiff City.
Left-back Danny Rose and central midfielder Eric Dier are in line for recalls after being omitted for Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona.
Both omissions raised eyebrows, with Rose showing signs of a return to his form of 2016 in recent matches while Dier has been a mainstay of the starting XI during Mauricio Pochettino’s reign and has started virtually all the marquee fixtures in the past.
It can’t be said that their replacements thrived. Ben Davies barely got past the forward line as he was pegged back by Lionel Messi’s artistry and the domination of the Barcelona attack.
As for Victor Wanyama, who was handed only his second start of the season, he looked off the pace in central midfield following extensive knee problems.
“They’re suffering, they really are,” Jenas said of Wanyama and central midfield ally Harry Winks during BT Sport’s live coverage of the match. “They’re not allowing Tottenham to play the way they want to, those two.
“Wanyama and Winks wouldn’t get into Tottenham’s team for a Premier League match, never mind against Barcelona.
“To be fair, they’re not hiding. But they’re looking for fitness and it’s not really working for them.”
Wanyama, 27, is likely to make way for Dier, while Rose comes in for Davies against a side in which his dynamic play on the left flank could pay real dividends.
Pochettino is unlikely to make widespread changes as Spurs cannot call upon Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen and Serge Aurier, who have all been ruled out until after the international break.