Besiktas vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Game
Tottenham Hotspur and Besiktas confirmed their progress to the Europa League knockout stage a fortnight ago. Thursday's meeting between the two will decide who tops Group C.
Besiktas need to win but a draw would do for the English club. The possible reward of coming first is a kinder draw in the round of 32. However, with a busy schedule over the coming month—especially for Tottenham—this one could prove to be lower on each club's list of priorities.
Even if this is the case, there is still plenty to think about in preparation. Read on for the issues and decisions set to shape this game.
Kyle Walker's Return
1 of 3
"Great to see @kylewalker2 back in the squad for our @EuropaLeague game against @Besiktas. #COYS #UEL pic.twitter.com/gjgcyJ4uDW
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 10, 2014"
Earlier on Wednesday, Tottenham's official Twitter page confirmed Kyle Walker's availability for Thursday's match. Save for appearing in the club's North American tour this past summer, the 24-year-old has been out since March.
He played for Spurs' under-21s in a 2-1 win over Manchester City last week, then on Saturday followed that up with a further 90 minutes for a Spurs XI side in a training-ground friendly draw with Dagenham & Redbridge.
Now apparently recovered from abdominal surgery, all that is left to be decided is whether he is ready to start a comparatively sterner test out in Turkey. If so, it is an ideal opportunity for head coach Mauricio Pochettino to take a look at the defender. Especially given Spurs' mixed fortunes at right-back this season.
Vlad Chiriches recently deputised in the unfamiliar role to the best of his ability but is again injured himself. Eric Dier has shown some aptitude for the position but, at 20 years old, is still developing. Meanwhile two suspensions have made it a stuttered campaign for Kyle Naughton, the only out-and-out full-back of that trio.
Walker is comfortable enough defensively and is also a fine contributor getting forward. Tottenham's creative play under Pochettino is centrally focused but is clearly enhanced by supporting outlets getting forward down the flanks. The athletic Walker should provide a better balance to the side here.
The England international believes his absence could prove to be a blessing in disguise after little opportunity to previously take notice of his professional surroundings.
"Perhaps it was good to have to sit back and reflect not just on my game but things around me," Walker told Spurs' official website last week. "For a start, I’ve watched more football. I’ve been studying the game a lot. It’s been a big learning curve but hopefully I’ll come back more mature and with a wiser head on my shoulders."
Such studious thinking will be music to Pochettino's ears as he continues to implement his philosophy in north London.
What's Next in the Tottenham Attack?
2 of 3
Tottenham also announced on Wednesday that Emmanuel Adebayor would be absent for the time being after he had "been given permission to return home for personal reasons."
As it applies to first-team matters, Pochettino now has only two experienced strikers to call on—Harry Kane and Roberto Soldado.
Including Besiktas, Spurs have four matches in the next fortnight. Pochettino not only has to contemplate how he juggles his two strikers, but how he accordingly shapes the team around them.
Kane's generally better work of late may see him rested with a start against Swansea City on Sunday in mind. Soldado is still battling to find consistent form. He, as much as anyone, could do with getting back in action after last weekend's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
At the time of writing it had not been confirmed who was travelling out of Spurs' other attacking options—though both PremierInjuries.com and PhysioRoom.com have Andros Townsend as still out.
If the need to balance his forward resources means a return to a lone-forward proper, it will be intriguing to see who Pochettino opts to place in support.
The Argentinian has not been shy in having players pull double-duty in the space of a week. With plenty of football coming up, though, who he plays in attacking midfield in Turkey could indicate others are being prioritised for Swansea.
Keeping out Besiktas
3 of 3
A point against Besiktas last time out was not a bad one for for Tottenham considering the problems Slaven Bilic's side posed them.
Atiba Hutchinson and Gokhan Tore were lively throughout, while the clever Olcay Sahan was best not left unattended. Besiktas' biggest threat, though, was Demba Ba.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle United striker scored his side's late penalty-spot equaliser and might have netted prior to then. He tested Hugo Lloris on a couple of occasions and forced last-ditch defending from Spurs several times too.
That they let the 29-year-old get so far so often was cause for concern. Ba is out but Pochettino will be keen to any of his team-mates having similar effect.
Federico Fazio and especially Chiriches struggled to deal with Ba last time out. The latter's injury means the striker will not be allowed to give him any more nightmare material. The former is far more settled now at Spurs but could be rested for this one having been a regular in the side of late.
If that extends to his partner Jan Vertonghen too, it could mean a pairing of Eric Dier and Younes Kaboul at centre-back.
They have not played together there since the season opener with West Ham United (and that was a short-lived experience as Dier was quickly moved to right-back following Naughton's sending off).
Coming up against a confident Besiktas attack would be a considerable workout. Stopping them would be the ideal way to reiterate their centre-back credentials after falling behind in the position's pecking order of late.
