Tottenham predicted lineup vs Coventry - Carabao Cup
- Tottenham take on Coventry in third round of Carabao Cup on Wednesday
- Ange Postecoglou likely to give fringe squad members a chance to impress
- Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall poised to make first starts of the season
This is a manager that "always" wins something during his second season at the helm.
Ange Postecoglou was keen to remind everyone of his track record in the wake of a disappointing north London derby defeat, and Tottenham's (serious) hunt for a trophy begins on Wednesday night as they face Championship side Coventry in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Postecoglou's Spurs endured a second round exit in this competition last time out, but it must be viewed as a piece of silverware the trophy-shy club can genuinely get their hands on next February.
Wednesday's clash in Coventry is a big one for Postecoglou, but a compact schedule means he must make at least a few changes to the team which was beaten by Arsenal at the weekend. Here's how Spurs could line up for their Carabao Cup third-round tie.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Coventry (4-3-3)
GK: Guglielmo Vicario - Spurs fans can still remember Fraser Forster 'attempting' to deny Fulham's takers amid their penalty shootout exit last season.
RB: Pedro Porro - Djed Spence's absence from the Europa League squad suggests Ange is not sold on the full-back, contrary to reports which emerged over the summer. Therefore, Porro could continue in the XI.
CB: Cristian Romero - Spurs' centre-back depth is thin, so we should see Romero, partly responsible for Sunday's defeat, remain in the team. Let's hope the club don't force him to make his own way to Coventry.
CB: Radu Dragusin - Micky van de Ven's hamstrings will be preserved for the weekend, with Dragusin a more than able deputy. The Romanian international filled in for the Dutchman at St James' Park before the break.
LB: Ben Davies - Destiny Udogie should earn a breather given that Ange has the experienced Davies at his disposal. Dependable and reliable, the Welshman has entered his tenth season with the club.
CM: Archie Gray - The former Leeds starlet is surely a shoo-in to make his first start of the season on Wednesday having merely performed a couple of cameo roles to open up his Premier League career. Yves Bissouma is a likely absentee.
CM: Pape Matar Sarr - Sarr hasn't enjoyed the best of calendar years after starting last season so well, but he's a key balancing act in Tottenham's midfield and his inclusion is necessary on Wednesday.
CM: Lucas Bergvall - The young Swede enjoyed a great pre-season, and many suspected the teenager would play a big role for Spurs right away. That hasn't been the case, but there's scope for Bergvall to join Gray in making his first competitive start for the club in midweek.
RW: Dejan Kulusevski - Kulusevski was arguably Spurs' standout performer in the derby and is better suited to a more central role. However, if Ange opts to use Bergvall, he may want to partner him with his compatriot down the right flank. They should have an understanding that will allow them to freely interchange and rotate.
ST: Dominic Solanke - Richarlison's out for the visitors, so we should see Solanke continue in the team to build a little bit of rhythm after a couple of weeks out. He's still hunting for his first Tottenham goal.
LW: Wilson Odobert - Supporters do not want to see Timo Werner in Wednesday's XI, so hopefully Ange appeases the fanbase by giving Odobert the nod from the get-go. The Frenchman is adept off both flanks, entering Sunday's derby down the right.
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