OPINION
It’s that time of the season when managers have to balance resting the players that need the rest with not slipping on a potential banana skin.
Tottenham looked exhausted against Wolves but then sharp as a tack against Cardiff, but we expect Mauricio Pochettino to make wholsesale changes for the FA Cup game away to League 2 outfit Tranmere on Friday – seven, in fact from the side that won 3-0.
The FA Cup would be a much bigger cup to win than the league cup, but both pale into insignificance behind the league and the Champions League. The chances of winning one of those two are slim though.
That’s the dilemma for Pochettino but he’s never really been a manager who will put out a youth team in the cup.
Some positions are nailed on. We can’t imagine Harry Kane not getting a rest. He never wants it but he needs it and Fernando Llorente should come in on Friday.
Son Heung-min is on fire at the moment and he’s also off after the game against Man United. He can play on Friday and United, and get his ‘rest’ in the Asian Cup.
Lucas Moura didn’t play against Cardiff and should start Friday alongside Moussa Sissoko.
Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks can handle the midfield, while we can’t even imagine what the Tottenham fans will say if Kyle Walker-Peters doesn’t start.
Ben Davies should come in on the other flank, Juan Foyth can step up for Toby Alderweireld and Paulo Gazzaniga should get another chance to show that he’s ready to take the gloves off Hugo Lloris.
This is the side we expect Pochettino to put out and beat Tranmere on Friday night:
