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There wasn’t too much wrong with Tottenham’s performance against Manchester City on Tuesday night, but the context which surrounded the fixture left Ange Postecoglou seething.
The desire of a big chunk of supporters to see a Spurs defeat in order to ruin Arsenal’s title chances was a concept Postecoglou couldn’t quite compute and his rather strong reaction to the consensus fan feeling may have left a bitter taste.
Nevertheless, after losing on Tuesday, the Lilywhites have a job to do at Bramall Lane. Chelsea’s impressive run means a defeat to the league’s worst team would likely see them relinquish fifth spot to the Blues.
With a Europa League spot on the line, Sunday’s clash is a big one for the visitors. Here’s the starting lineup Postecoglou could pick at Bramall Lane.
GK: Guglielmo Vicario – The Italian tried his utmost to frustrate City on Tuesday but Vicario’s defences were eventually breached by Erling Haaland.
RB: Pedro Porro – It’s been a long season for Porro, with the Spaniard rarely enjoying any respite. No Spurs outfielder has played more Premier League minutes than the right-back (3,017) this season.
CB: Cristian Romero – Romero was spotted enjoying a rather friendly interaction with Pep Guardiola post-match on Tuesday. A potential Man City target, or was Guardiola merely thanking the Argentine for losing a 50/50 with Phil Foden?
CB: Radu Dragusin – The January arrival impressed for the most part against City and should be included in the starting XI again on Sunday.
LB: Micky van de Ven – Van de Ven has experience at left-back from his Volendam days and Spurs’ backline functioned as well as it has in weeks with the Dutchman performing a more traditional full-back role.
CM: Rodrigo Bentancur – Bentancur certainly left his mark at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday. Just check one of the seats in the home dugout. Postecoglou must have quite liked Bentancur’s rage considering the discourse surrounding Spurs potentially ‘throwing’ the game.
CM: Pape Matar Sarr – Sarr is unlikely to fulfil the false nine role again against Sheffield Utd. The midfielder did as well as he could in an unfamiliar position and is clearly one of the players Postecoglou will aim to build his team around.
CM: James Maddison – It’s been a struggle for the Englishman down the stretch, although there have been glimmers of early-season Maddison in Spurs’ recent two outings.
RW: Dejan Kulusevski – The goal-shy Kulusevski added plenty of impetus off the bench against City and Postecoglou will likely reward him with a start at Bramall Lane.
ST: Son Heung-min – The South Korean cemented himself as a Lilywhite icon by missing a gilt-edged one-on-one at the death which could have won Arsenal the Premier League title. Son leads Spurs’ scoring charts this season with 17 league goals.
LW: Brennan Johnson – Johnson has alternated between the two flanks in recent weeks. With Kulusevski potentially coming back in, Johnson should switch over to the left for the final game of the season.
