Dugout Discussion

Bale makes first league start of season alongside well-owned Kane and Son

After scoring a late winner against Brighton last Sunday, Gareth Bale (£9.5m) is set to make his first league start for Tottenham Hotspur since returning to north London.

The man on loan from Real Madrid will star in a fearsome front three alongside Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Son Heung-min (£9.6m) – the season’s two highest FPL scorers – with Matt Doherty (£5.8m) and Sergio Reguilon (£5.6m) retaining their spots at full-back.

Bale replaces Erik Lamela (£5.8m) in head coach Jose Mourinho’s only change from the 2-1 win over the Seagulls, which gave Spurs their first home win of the season.

It’s a different story for them on the road though, winning all three away matches at a combined score of 12-3. The many managers who have captained either Kane or Son this weekend will be expecting to repeat this 4-1 average against a winless side currently sat in 18th place.

Kane scored his 200th Spurs goal in Thursday night’s Europa League win over Ludogorets and has a superb record against today’s opponents West Bromwich Albion, netting seven times in seven matches.

This slow start to the season has put Slaven Bilic under pressure and his reaction is to make three changes from their 2-0 defeat at previously winless Fulham.

Matheus Pereira (£5.9m) and Grady Diangana (£5.5m) starred in the Baggies’ promotion push but both make way in an apparent switch to 5-4-1.

Branislav Ivanovic (£4.5m) is the third man to miss out, as he and Pereira have returned positive coronavirus tests ahead of the international break.

In their places come Callum Robinson (£5.5m), Kyle Bartley (£4.5m) and Dara O’Shea (£4.3m), with the latter two playing their first minutes since completing all of West Brom’s first four games.

Robinson scored twice in Gameweek 3’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Chelsea and Bilic is counting on both he and Karlan Grant (£5.9m) to provide the goals that could save his job.

West Brom are undefeated in their last three home clashes with Spurs.


WEST BROMWICH ALBION XI (5-4-1): Johnstone; Furlong, Bartley, Ajayi, O’Shea, Townsend; Krovinovic, Livermore, Gallagher, Robinson; Grant.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI (4-3-3): Lloris; Doherty, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Ndombele, Sissoko; Bale, Son, Kane

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1,497 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Brest are winning 2-0 against Lille.

    I love it when Brest get on top.

    1. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Boom

    2. Clam. ☘️
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Missed the goals... Brest must've nipped ahead.

      1. Clam. ☘️
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Read recently that Umtiti might retire at Brest actually.

    3. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They're big in France I hear

    4. evilfish
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Do they play with two up top?

  2. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pereira and Ivanovic tested positive and out of the squad for the record. Do we think more is coming on the IB and during the festive period?

  3. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Even as I pressed confirm on giving Kane the armband, I knew he’d blank. But the fear of FOMO propelled me

    Baaaaaa

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      the fear of the fear of missing out?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Touché....

        The fear of MO would have been confusing 😀

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hahaha good one zilla

      3. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Rekt... RIP in peace Don Kloppeone

    2. sandman58
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Quit whinging
      Only played half an hour

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Do you take everything you read seriously?

    3. Geenn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

  4. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    @ Bemba...get your OMG dusted off and start using it please.....

    1. BIG BOY BRUNO
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes please

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Son and Kane, not Bale just to be clear 😉

      2. BIG BOY BRUNO
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        My first request:

        OMG Kane

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      e.g. OMG Grant?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        *Ahearne-Grant

  5. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    There was a Commnity article few weeks back about teams having diff wayy of playing, and he called them Perfectionist, Predator or Talisman.

    Love that article. Wonder how's his research is going

  6. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Spurs are poor so far. Need to bring in Lo Celso at half time to being about creativity.

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They need midfielders that can keep the ball...

      Ndombele and Sissoko's passing has been poor and they can't link defense and attack.

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Poor choice from Mourinho in that midfield.

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs getting pinned on their own half these last 10mins or so. Still earlyish days but WBA growing in confidence

  7. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Why West Bromwich wearing yellow shirts?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs stole their shirts last night

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They want to look like Canaries, but failed. They will concede soon, no worry.

  8. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Kane to Richarlison short term punt? Good or risky?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good, I am doing it together with Zaha > Bruno [C]

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This a joke?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not a joke

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      considering

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I am considering too. Antonio not being fit might change that

  9. Party time
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kane playing the overlapping centre back role

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        😀

      2. JJO
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        More like sweeper

      3. Clam. ☘️
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Libero

    • Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Needs a WBA goal to catalyse TOT to score

    • ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      spurs look completely off the pace, west brom controlling it last 5 mins

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Who knew in a game of football the other team would have the audacity to do something.

        1. built_this_city
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          😀

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Impact of Bale?

      3. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Lacks a creative mid

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Disagree. Liverpool have been coping fine for years without one.

          Spurs' creativity should be coming from Kane and the fullbacks, just like Liverpool.

          1. Royal5
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Well it's not working. That's for sure.

    • Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sissoko > Lo Celso at ht

    • JJO
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs are home team?
      That team in stripes?

    • Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Europe matches must be catching up with Spurs.

    • Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs not scoring here

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Crystal ball?

    • FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dangerous free kick for WBA upcoming. We can see the first goal

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Grant looking sharp and ready

    • Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kane vs Cardiff v2

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He was at home back than

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Looks that way, Kane YC soon to confirm?

    • SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Worth noting that Spurs were poor vs Burnley and Brighton

    • Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      These are the types of games in which Kane tends to disappoints to be fair

        1. BIG BOY BRUNO
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Ah memories, I capped him that day (of course), seem to recall he’d just had his first child

        2. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Check out lateriser's 'upside chasing' articles instead of coming here with 1 match 😆 😆

    • ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Jose needs to learn that long balls don't work against every team

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Tony Pullis disagrees

    • FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Take Bale out asap, or put him back as LB!!!

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This, need Le Celso and Moura

    • built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I used to think Bemba Da was a little kid but hes been on this website for 10 years

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He still lives in his mum’s basement though.

    • Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Its a good thing i went Che Adams captain over Kane or Son

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Lol

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          7 > 2

    • Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      First time I captain Kane he blanks. Great.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You do know the game isn’t over right?

      2. BIG BOY BRUNO
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Oh Fudgy

    • built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kane (C) FAIL

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ditto so far

      2. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Oh dear

    • g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The Bale effect?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Definitely. It's a thing. Zidane knew it

      2. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        yes.. he is destroying Kane and Son

    • FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      70% ball possession for WBA last 5 minutes and one more corner upcoming. WBA all over the place and dominating atm

      1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Good for counter attacking Spurs

    • Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mou should have started Lo Celso. Ndombele doing nothing

      1. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        and sub Bale asap

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        And use Bale as a impact sub or as a LB, this way he is disrupting the team

    • FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      So tired of hearing all of these "Kane (C) fail" and "Son (C)" fail. There is more than an hour left people calm down

      1. built_this_city
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        hes not getting naything

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Spurs fail

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Irbox fail

      3. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        New around here?

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Nope, I'm just tired of people moaning and whining after 30 minutes of play.

      4. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I'll be back soon

      5. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Is it your first time here on a matchday? Personally I don't mind, it is fun and adds to the I told you so game later on 😉

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Fun?
          Pathetic and tiresome more like.

      6. Londongeezaa
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Kane (c) major fail. My season is ruined. I’m off to have a little cry.

      7. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I agree it's ridiculous. They're not playing a Sunday league team and should be winning 7-0

      8. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This..oh wait

      9. threeputt
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        and counting.......

    • Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kane and Son captain fail

      1. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        100%

      2. built_this_city
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        +1

      3. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        60 mins left of game, relax lol

        1. Jam0sh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          😀