Graham Roberts has urged Mauricio Pochettino to start Dele Alli in the no.10 position against Man City in the Champions League tonight.
Alli has a fractured hand but has been training with a protective cast and Pochettino confirmed that the 23-year-old would have a late fitness test ahead of the quarter-final second-leg at the Etihad.
Talking on the Jim White Show (talkSPORT, Wednesday, 10am), Roberts predicted a Spurs win and an Alli goal if he plays in the number 10 position.
“I love Dele Alli running forward,” Roberts said. “When Harry Kane’s up there he runs behind Harry and that opens up the game. He’s scored a lot of goals doing that. I’d like to see him playing at number 10 tonight but Alli can play anywhere on the pitch.
“Harry Winks is definitely out so that’s a big blow for us. But we have a good squad and I’m sure the boys will be up for it. For me, I’d like Dele Alli to play at number 10 and I think he’ll score if he does.
Roberts followed up with his emphatic prediction saying, “I’m confident that we’re going to win tonight.”
OPINION
Pochettino didn’t player Alli in the 4-0 win against Huddersfield and it could be that he’s got a plan and is saving him for tonight’s game. Alli should be able to play with his protective cast on – Jamie Vardy did it for Leicester successfully – and it would be a big boost for Tottenham if he started. Even if he doesn’t, though, Tottenham have a big chance to cause an upset tonight. The first goal is critical although any away goal for Spurs will make Man City’s task that much harder. Keeping a clean sheet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was crucial and in Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura, Pochettino has two players on top form. The loss of Harry Winks is a big blow in midfield, but Victor Wanyama came in and did a good job on Saturday and should be fine tonight. The tie is on a knife-edge and it seems odd to think that Man City haven’t been able to sell all their seats for what should be a cracking game.