It all comes down to tonight for Tottenham Hotspur.
Ange Postecoglou’s side might be coming towards their worst domestic campaign in a generation and sit 16th in the Premier League, but much of that will be forgotten if they can get to the Europa League final.
However, for that to happen, the North Londoners need to make the most of their 3-1 lead from the first leg and progress against FK Bodo/Glimt tonight.
That said, it won’t be an easy task, and following another dire display over the weekend, Ange must make several changes to the startling lineup, like dropping Wilson Odobert and one of their future superstars.
Why Postecoglou must drop Odobert
Now, there may be some of you scratching your heads and wondering why the manager would want to drop arguably one of the few players who looked good on Sunday and a man whose goal ensured that the loss column didn’t tick over to 20.
Well, the simple answer, which is partly down to his injury problems, is that he’s yet to prove he can be a reliable source of goals.
For example, the strike against the Hammers was just his third for the club in 18 appearances across all competitions, and the other two came in a single game, at home to AZ Alkmaar.
Therefore, in a game that could come down to incredibly fine margins, the manager should have his most prolific player starting in his preferred position: Brennan Johnson.
The Welsh international might still divide opinion among fans and pundits alike, but his numbers speak for themselves when it comes to a game like this.
Appearances
47
Minutes
3077′
Goals
17
Assists
7
Goal Involvements per Match
0.51
Minutes per Goal Involvement
128.20′
For example, in 47 appearances this term, the former “frightening” winger, as dubbed by content creator HLTCO, has scored 17 goals and provided six assists, which comes out to a pretty impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.95 games.
Finally, it was Johnson who opened the scoring in the first leg, so he’s more than earned his place back in the side, as has another star from the home leg, which means dropping a future superstar.
The future Spurs star Ange must drop
While a few players should probably be dropped based on Sunday’s game, the starter in question was middling at best against the Hammers and took the place of one of the stars of last Thursday: Archie Gray.
Now, it has to be said that the Englishman is simply not a right-back, with respected analyst Ben Mattinson going as far as calling him a “future £100m cm,” so an underwhelming performance at full-back is nothing to be alarmed about for the long term.
However, with journalist Alasdair Gold awarding him just a 6/10 match rating and writing that he ‘didn’t do much wrong while not particularly shining either,’ he also shouldn’t keep his place in the team.
We say this because Postecoglou can’t afford to have players coasting in a game as crucial as tonight, especially not when he can replace them with others who can make a big difference, like Pedro Porro.
The Spanish right-back was arguably one of the best players in the first leg, with his lung-busting runs and exceptional passes making life impossible for the Norwegian champions.
In fact, it was his pinpoint, accurate cross that led to James Maddison scoring the North Londoners’ second on the night.
Moreover, while the former Sporting CP ace has been criticised for some questionable defending in the past, he was solid when it really mattered that night and entirely deserving of the 9/10 match rating he received from Gold at full-time.
Ultimately, in a game like tonight, when there might not be too many chances for his side to score, Postecoglou has to start Porro and Johnson, as the former has the ability to craft chances, and the latter can finish them.
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