A brace from Pavlyuchenko, sandwiched between a neat header from Modric, was enough to see Spurs sneak past a depleted but plucky Wigan performance at the Lane.
An important result for us fantasy managers this – we just need a result in the Southampton vs United tie on Sunday to seal the first double fixture gameweek of the season…
Team lineups first then and Spurs opted for a 4-4-2 with both Bent and Pavlyuchenko starting up front. Modric earned a central midfield role. Jenas missed out with a calf injury, Lennon was rested to the bench, allowing O’Hara to come in on the left, while Bale got a start behind him at left-back with Assou-Ekotto suspended. That starting lineup was disrupted somewhat by an injury to Bent after half-an-hour. He was replaced by Campbell after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury.
Steve Bruce was hampered by injuries and suspensions so made an array of changes to his confident and in-form Wigan side. Cattermole was serving a one-match ban, so Brown started against his former club. Kirkland’s groin injury handed a start to Kingson in goal, while Zaki and Heskey both missed out with with injuries. Camara was paired with Kapo up front then, while De Ridder started out wide with Taylor rested to the bench. Figueroa also got a rest, with Kilbane starting at left-back.
The scoreline flattered Spurs to be honest but Pavlyuchenko enjoyed his best night in a Spurs shirt. He ran tirelessly and took his chances well. With Bent seemingly still troubled with an injury, the Russian is set for a prolonged run in the side and could certainly be worth considering given Tottenham’s fixtures in the short-term. Modric also stood out in a central midfield role. A shift back to 4-5-1 is surely on the cards for next weekend however, when these two sides meet again at the JJB. Both Pavlyuchenko and Modric offer decent differential purchases but personally, I’m still wary of Tottenham’s struggle for goals – as I say, tonight’s scoreline did flatter them somewhat.
A couple of other points to note in terms of future team selections. Edman made a return to action from the Wigan bench tonight and he will now challenge Figueroa for the left-back spot going into January. Figueroa has a been a staple budget purchase in fantasy terms but will now have to fend off the Swede for the shirt. Figueroa also took a bang to his knee on his arrival as a late sub but looked okay and completed the match. Ryan Taylor was also rested to the bench and De Ridder looked lively in short spells. I’d still expect Taylor to start next weekend given the importance of his set-piece delivery.
Wigan players may now face a double fixture if there’s a winner in Sunday’s cup tie between Southampton and Man United. A result either way there will see Wigan travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday January 14 – giving us the opportunity to double up on points from Wigan and United players this gameweek.