Fan favourites return as Poch rings changes – this Tottenham XI will cruise past Rochdale

Fan favourites return as Poch rings changes – this Tottenham XI will cruise past Rochdale

David Woods

Dave is a huge Leeds fan and ardent disciple of Bielsa ball. A career in print magazines that included editing PC Zone, launching PokerPlayer and redesigning The Big Issue has finally led Dave to writing about the love of his life, Leeds United. It’s been a tough 2020 but the single scariest moment was the first quarter of the game against Man City. Rodrigo will be the saviour this season.

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Mauricio Pochettino has got the luxury of a full squad to select his starting XI from for the fifth-round FA Cup tie away at Rochdale on Sunday.
However, he still has some big decisions to make with the right balance needed after his side's exertions in Turin on Tuesday night.
The 2-2 draw against Juventus was another feather in the cap for Pochettino after a brilliant Champions League campaign.
However, despite being the favourites to progress through to the quarter finals of the competition, it's still going to be a push to go on and win it.
Their best shot at the trophy that will get pundits off his back and possibly convince the big-name stars that their future lies at Tottenham is the FA Cup.
Rochdale shouldn't pose much of a problem.
They're rock-bottom of League One with just five wins from 28 games, however Pochettino knows that to a certain extent the form book goes out of the window in the FA Cup – just look at the shock League Two Newport gave his side in the last round.
So his task is to pick the side that will get past Rochdale at the first attempt – another replay is the last thing he needs – while resting the players he needs for the Premier League and the Champions League.
Bearing all this in mind, Football Insider names the best possible Tottenham starting XI against Rochdale, which includes a recall for a fan favourite who fans have been urging him to start over the past few weeks.
Click below to see who is expected to start in goal and defence


Michel Vorm (Goalkeeper) - Vorm has played in all of Tottenham's FA Cup games so far and he's the right man for the job on Sunday.
Kyle Walker-Peters (Right-back) - After a loan move to Southampton fell through in January, Walker-Peters deserves as many chances to get a run-out as possible. This is the perfect game for him and he's a player the fans want to see more of.
Toby Alderweireld (Centre-back) - Alderweireld was left out of the Champions League squad after making his return to the Tottenham side, but a run-out against League One opposition is the perfect way for him to bring his fitness back up.
Juan Foyth (Centre-back) - One of the standout performers from the last game against Newport and fans will be excited to see him in action again on Sunday.
Danny Rose (Left-back) - It's looking more and more likely that Rose will leave in the summer but Ben Davies needs a rest and it's time for the now-second-choice left-back to step in.
Click below to see who is expected to start in midfield


Victor Wanyama (Central midfield) - Scored a fantastic goal against Liverpool as he comes back from injury and this will be the ideal chance to give him some more game time. The depth in the Tottenham squad is immense at the moment and Wanyama's presence here proves it.
Harry Winks (Central midfield) - Fan favourite Winks was left out of the squad to face Juventus and seemed to be fuming – liking a Tweet from a Spurs fan asking why he had been left out. He won't be left out on Sunday.
Click below to see who is expected to start in attack


Erik Lamela (Attacking midfield) - Tottenham are pondering exercising their option on Lamela for another year and after his performance against Juventus it seems likely that they'll do it.
Lucas Moura (Attacking midfield) - Tottenham fans have only seen a cameo from their new man so far but this will be the reason they'll be glued to this game. It's a fantastic opportunity for him to make his mark at his new club.
Son Heung-Min (Attacking midfield) - Son was desperately unlucky to lose his place to Lamela in the game against Juventus after Pochettino said that his teammate had the experience to play at the Allianz Stadium. Son has been a standout performer for Spurs this season and Rochdale won't fancy playing against him.
Fernando Llorente (Striker) - Last chance saloon? In all reality that ship has probably already sailed after a dismal season for the former Swansea man. He couldn't score in two outings against League Two opposition – now he has to do it against a defence from a league up.
In other Tottenham news, Tottenham striker Kane sends heartfelt Twitter message to Ryan Mason after early retirement
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