(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Slaven Bilic has a Cheik Kouyate decision to make as we head for White Hart Lane and an appointment with Spurs this evening.
ClaretandHugh understands that with Mark Noble unavailable through suspension the big man is likely to be pushed forward into midfield with James Collins, Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna forming the back three.
Michail Anotonio and Aaron Cresswell will adopt the wing back roles with Pedro Obiang and Manu Lanzini in midfield behind Dimi Payet and Andre Ayew.
However, Bilic is a manager who can spring a surprise and with Diafra Sakho definitely in the squad it wouldn’t be wise to rule out ENTIRELY the possibilty of him starting, unlikely though it may seem.
Edmilson Fernandes is also avaialble to him as part of the squad and there is also the chance he could start him in midfield with Kouyate remaining at the back although that would give the team a lightweight look.
Our starting X1: Adrian, Reid, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Antonio, Kouyate, Lanzini Obiang, Payet Ayew
I hope Antonio isn’t wing back Rose will crucify him, Fernandes should be in the team at right wing back. My team would be Adrian Cresswell, Reid Ogbonna Kouyate Fernandes, Obiang, Payet, Lanzini. With either Ayew and Antonio or Sakho up top, I would use Lanzini in a deeper than normal role.