Mauricio Pochettino has been criticised following Spurs’ 2-1 loss to Manchester United.
Former Tottenham Hotspur winger Matthew Etherington has told TalkSPORT that Mauricio Pochettino should have started Hugo Lloris and Toby Alderweireld on Saturday evening against Manchester United.
Spurs failed to go one step closer to quietening their doubters, as Jose Mourinho’s side knocked them out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win at Wembley. Pochettino’s wait for a trophy goes on.
Pochettino decided to play Michel Vorm in goal, after the Dutchman has started between the sticks in every FA Cup game prior to Saturday’s clash. Alderweireld remains down the pecking order as his contract situation remains far from sorted.
But Etherington believes 15-time Holland international Vorm should have been on the bench, and reckons Alderweireld should have partnered Vertonghen at the back – which would mean Davinson Sanchez would have dropped out.
“Lloris, for me, should have played. [David] De Gea was in there for the big semi-final at Wembley, the big occasion,” Etherington said. “And Alderweireld as well, again, he’s just come back from injury but he’s their best defender along with Vertonghen – you play your best players in your biggest games.
“[Alderweireld] has been brilliant for Spurs. Yesterday was the perfect game to chuck him in, even though there is politics going on outside the football pitch, just chuck him in.”
Frenchman Lloris has been criticised of late for his form this season, but 21-year-old Colombia international Sanchez has starred in his first season in English football – forming a fearsome partnership with Alderweireld at the back.
Critics will continue to suggest that Spurs need to win a trophy under Pochettino in order for the Argentine’s spell in north London to be considered a success, but that will have to wait another year.
Instead, they must focus on keeping Chelsea at bay to finish in the top four of the Champions League, as they face Watford on Monday night in the Premier League.
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