When Brighton dominated and ultimately defeated Spurs at the Amex in October, there was a genuine feeling that it was the nadir of Mauricio Pochettino’s reign. Tottenham welcome the Seagulls in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, coming off the back of possibly Jose Mourinho’s own nadir in his nascent tenure. What Spurs served up against Chelsea on Sunday matched the worst of Pochettino and such cluelessness won’t be tolerated for too long by the Spurs faithful.
Spurs need only look at their North London neighbours for an example of what happens to unfocused teams against Graham Potter’s slick football. Arsenal were completely outplayed at home by Brighton and justifiably lost 2-1. In truth, its hard to see such a result being replicated away at Spurs. Mourinho may have his faults, but the pragmatist in him has always delivered against teams in the bottom half, especially at home. Heung-Min Son’s suspension will be felt, but I think his absence for three games gives Mourinho the chance to work on some alternative systems as well as players, with the midfield in particular needing some serious reconfiguration. It is this facet that I will be focusing on in this game.