This week I spoke to American Spurs fan Kevin DeVries from the EPL Roundtable podcast.
1) Can Spurs win the Premier League title this season?
Can we? Yes. Will we? Probably not. Spurs have overachieved a bit in the league with 6 consecutive wins while Arsenal have won just 2 of their last 7. Assuming both sides regress to the mean it will be very close between both North London clubs. Leicester may continue their fairytale season, but missing Kante for a few weeks will put quite a dent in their title chances.
2) Which three teams do you think will suffer relegation this season?
Aston Villa, Norwich, and Newcastle.
3) How do you rate West Ham’s manager Slaven Bilic and his first season in charge of a Premier league team?
I think he’s done a terrific job. While I disagreed with his approach to the Europa League, there’s no doubting that the lack of fixture congestion has allowed you to play your best, well best fit, eleven exclusively in the Premier League. He has handled injuries well and prevented the second half malaise that has occurred in years past.
4) West Ham sit in sixth place after briefly occupying third but what league position can West Ham realistically achieve this season under Bilic?
Funnily enough, you were in exactly sixth the last time we played! At that time I said you’d do well to finish 8th, but you have shown to be one of the more consistent sides in the Premier League. It would be harsh if you missed out on a spot in Europe.
5) If you could have any current West Ham player in your team who would you choose and who would you replace to slot them in to your first team?
We spoke about the on the EPL Round Table and I said I’d take Payet as he brings his teammates up to his level as opposed to Eriksen who plays his game regardless of what’s going on around him. If I were to go with a non-obvious answer? Probably Michail Antonio as we have a surprising lack of pace on the wings.
6) What is Spurs Achilles heel?
Health. Jan Vertonghen has been our only major injury this season, but if Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen, Eric Dier, Toby Alderweireld, or Hugo Lloris picked up a serious injury we would quickly drop out of the title race and potentially drop from the top 4.
7) 14 Supporters’ Trusts came together to petition the Government for a public inquiry about West Ham’s occupancy of the Olympic Stadium but does the fact that West Ham got a good deal bother you personally as a football fan?
Obviously it is an unpopular decision to allow West Ham to use the Olympic ground for a fraction of what a new stadium would’ve cost and, as many clubs are currently dealing with expansion/new stadium projects, that causes animosity. As a Tottenham fan I’m glad West Ham won the bid which will allow Tottenham to stay in North London.
8) How do you expect Spurs to setup against West Ham on Wednesday/ Team/formation prediction?
We will be rolling out manager Mauricio Pochettino’s beloved 4-2-3-1 as always. It looks as though both Mousa Dembele and Dele Alli will both be missing out, so our midfield will have a very different look to it. I’d guess: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Dier, Mason; Son, Eriksen, Chadli;Kane.
10) West Ham have not lost at home since August last year, What is your score Prediction for Wednesday?
Our only Premier League away loss happened match week 1 against Manchester United, so we both have hefty streaks on the line here. I’m going to go with a 2-1 win to Tottenham.
My thanks to Kev and my prediction I will go for 1-0 win with Spurs going down to ten men.
You can find Kev on twitter @Kevrov and my podcast @EPLRoundTable, you can also find my writings at TheEaglesBeak.com and PlayTogga.com