This week I spoke to Spurs fans Kevin and Saifu from the EPL Round Table podcast on which I often represent West Ham.
Spurs sit in a lofty fifth position level with West Ham level on points but where can they realistically finish in the table?
Saifu: These next two weeks could possibly define the rest of our season. If we can grind away results against West Ham and Chelsea, I think we could have a genuine chance at cracking the top four. Losing our momentum at this point could take us out of that conversation, but a fifth place finish would still be realistic.
Which three teams do you tip for relegation this season?
Kevin: Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Sunderland.
How do you rate West Ham’s manager Slaven Bilic and his terrific start to the season?
Kevin: I think he’s done a terrific job of both player recruitment and management. Your reslts against bigger sides show that there is no fear in this team and I think that comes from the top. I wish that he and West Ham as a whole had taken their European chance more seriously, but falling out of both the Europa League and Capital One Cup has allowed you a singular focus on the Premier League that is evidenced by your place in the table.
West Ham sit in sixth place after twelve games having briefly occupied the third spot but what league position can West Ham realistically achieve this season under Bilic?
Kevin: 8th feels about right. There has been a great re-balancing of talent due to the big money coming into the league which has allowed your signing of Payet, Palace’s signing of Cabaye, Swansea’s signing of Ayew, etc. which makes this one of the most interesting/competitive season in years. The Payet injury is a blow and Leicester continue to impress, but I think Southampton/Leicester/Crystal Palace/West Ham are all fighting for those 6-10 spots.
If you could have any current West Ham player in your team who would you choose?
Kevin: Dimitri Payet. He is exactly what we needed in our midfield in the summer and I’m constantly jealous that you’ve gotten him.
Do you understand what the ‘West Ham way is’ and what it means to Hammers fans?
Kevin:Let’s be honest, every team has an “(Insert club here) way”. Identity is very important to a club, but must be balanced with ambition and results. We had Redknapp who played the “Tottenham way” then sacked him and brought in AVB who “got the results” then sacked him for Tim Sherwood who did things the “Tottenham way”, and so on. I think Bilic has struck an excellent balance at West Ham which has led to a stronger belief from the fans that you can begin pushing up the table.
Which Spurs player should we include in our Fantasy dream team?
Kevin: Rose is the play for me. He’s sitting at just 5.2, has assisted in his last 3 matches, and is locked on to be a top 10 defender by the end of the season.
Which Spurs player should West Ham players fear on Sunday?
Saifu: This season we’ve had ten different goal scorers. It’s difficult to point to one player to mark because doing so will likely expose West Ham to other attacking threats. Doubling up on Harry Kane could create space for Son, Eriksen, and Delle Ali who is currently riding on a high after his impressive international performance.
14 Supporters’ Trusts recently came together to petition the Government for a public inquiry about West Ham’s occupancy of the Olympic Stadium. Does the fact that West Ham got a good deal bother you personally as a football fan?
Kevin: 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.
How do you expect Spurs to set up against West Ham on Sunday/ Team/formation prediction?
Saifu: At this point, Pochettino’s pressing game is fairly well known. Expect us to push high up the pitch and outrun your players by a few kilometers. Lamela will be out of the squad due to accumulation, so we’ll probably see Son get his first start since his injury, playing on the right with Dembele central and Eriksen pushed out left. Dier and Ali are undroppable at this point, but we may see a late appearance by Ryan Mason. Rounding out our defense is Rose, Vertonghen, Aldeweireld, and Walker.
West Ham have beaten Spurs three times out of five matches in recent times with one draw and one loss. What is your score Prediction for Sunday?
Saifu A London Derby is always tough, but I think we can buck the trend with West Ham this weekend. With Payet out and our defense as good as it’s ever been, I think we can at least come away with a draw. If Son can find his form this match, I’d be pretty confident in a 2-1 win.
Kevin: Another fun stat, we nicked 4 points off you last season with 3 goals scored after the 80th minute. I agree with Saifu here, think 2-1 seems right though a 1-1 draw wouldn’t stun me.
Sean: As for me I would take another draw away from home but I still think we could nick this match one nil and take another White Hart Lane scalp. Come on you Irons!
My thanks to Kevin and Saifu from the EPL RoundTable podcast http://www.acast.com/eplindex
Win, Lose or Draw I will be recording the latest episode of the EPL Roundtable podcast on Sunday night with Kev and Saifu.
You can find The EPL RoundTable on Twitter at @EPLRoundTable Kevin at @KevRov