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5 Q&A’s with Tottenham reporter prior to Manchester City match

By Larry Henry

"Kelechi Iheanacho looks on after his shot on goal vs Tottenham Hotspur" (Credit to Manchester City Facebook.)
"Kelechi Iheanacho looks on after his shot on goal vs Tottenham Hotspur" (Credit to Manchester City Facebook.) /
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FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED – COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES – Image numbers (L) 624347276 and 629845764) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City meet Tottenham Hotspur on January 21, 2017 in a Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium. ***LEFT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 19: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on November 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED – COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES – Image numbers (L) 624347276 and 629845764) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City meet Tottenham Hotspur on January 21, 2017 in a Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium. ***LEFT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 19: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on November 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /


Prior to Manchester City‘s huge Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, I sat down with “Hotspur HQ” reporter Ryan Wrenn to get some answers on our upcoming competition. 

Manchester City will look to bounce back after being hammered 4-0 at Everton a week ago. Tottenham have been flying, winning seven matches in-a-row in all competitions. Harry Kane‘s hat-trick last weekend vs. West Brom sparked Spurs to a 4-0 win. Tottenham defeated Manchester City 2-0 in their first league meeting back in October, and Pep Guardiola‘s men will look to beat a top-side at the Etihad.

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To get an idea on how the current match-up is viewed from the other side, I saw down with Ryan and asked five questions about Tottenham’s season and how they believe the showdown this weekend will go.

1.) LH – This has been a great league season so far for Spurs, do you think they have all the pieces to make a serious title run?

RW – Position by position, Tottenham are the most complete team in the Premier League at the moment. There are simply no holes here. Best full-backs in the league, best center-back in Toby Alderweireld. If N’Golo Kanté wasn’t setting the standard for a great defensive midfielder at Chelsea, I think Victor Wanyama gets a lot more love. And, of course, there’s Dele Alli and Harry Kane. Whether all this adds up to a genuine title push, I’m not so sure. These players are going to get a lot of work over the next few months what with the Europa League and the F.A. Cup. If Mauricio Pochettino demands too much, too often I’m worried about another late collapse like last season.


2.) LH – Harry Kane and Dele Alli are the main players for Spurs and grab a lot of the headlines. What two players have been underrated in your eyes this season?

RW – I hinted at it above, but Victor Wanyama is easily the most underrated member of this Spurs squad. The sheer amount of space that man can cover in a match is uncanny. I doubt anyone figured he would come in and replace Eric Dier, but that’s essentially what he’s done. Which, if you saw how amazing Dier was last season, makes it all the more impressive. While I doubt anyone would think to call him underrated, I’m not sure if people appreciate just how fundamental Christian Eriksen is to Tottenham. His goals and assist speak for themselves, but his real value lies in him essentially being a water carrier. His passing and vision drives possession up the pitch, thus making Kane and Alli’s jobs much easier.

3.) LH – Are they any players or positions that need to be upgraded during this January Transfer Window?

RW – The common refrain, I think, is that Tottenham need a third striker for cover if/when Vincent Janssen continues to be a dud. That’s not wrong exactly, but it’s probably something that can wait for the summer or later.

4.) LH – Also, I feel Spurs can go all the way in the Europa League after being eliminated the last couple years. What are your feelings on their Europa League chances?

RW – This is Tottenham’s sixth consecutive appearance in the Europa League and, frankly, it’s about time the club cares enough to win it, or at least make it to the final. There’s good reason to think that this could be the year. Only Roma and Manchester United look like obstacles, and Pochettino has a deep enough squad to rotate and still be competitive.

5.) LH – Spurs have been flying lately, even more after their win over leaders and rivals Chelsea. What is your prediction for Saturday’s showdown at the Etihad?

RW – In a way I was discouraged by City’s 4-0 loss to Everton. Losses like that have a way of galvanizing a squad. Tottenham are on a great streak and a loss would hurt, but for Pep Guardiola and City a loss on Saturday might mean the difference between qualifying for the Champions League and not. That’s a strong incentive. It will be a very tough game for both sides, but I think Tottenham squeeze through with a 2-1 win.

Next: Manchester City Injury Report: 3 out & Jesus in?

Overall, a fair set of answers from Ryan, and much thanks to him for his contribution. Be sure to check out the rest of Hotspur HQ’s content ahead of his EPL top-five clash.