Spurs under 21’s versus Colchester United: (match preview)

(This photograph is from Tottenham Hotspur FC).

It’s win or bust for our young development side in this season Leasing.com trophy. Wayne Burnett’s side need to realistically beat league two side Colchester United when they face them at the Colchester Community Stadium on Tuesday, to stand any chance of getting out of their group. Our development side have not won a competitive game since August and their recent form has left them struggling in the PL2. Spurs only narrowly lost 2-1 to league one side Ipswich Town in their opening group game in this competition, and they’ll be filled with confidence going into tomorrow’s encounter with Colchester United knowing what they achieved in that Ipswich game, where they played some really good football for spells in the game. League two side Colchester United who are managed by John McGreal, famously defeated our first team in the Carabao cup only a couple of weeks ago, so there is some added incentive for Wayne Burnett’s side ahead of tomorrow’s game. The oppositions sit in eight place in the league two table, having picked up 19 points from their opening 12 league games. Some of the Colchester players to look out for tomorrow night include (I expect them to play a weakened side) physical forwards Frank Nouble, Luke Norris and Theo Robinson. In addition speedy wing back Cohen Bramall could cause problems down Tottenham’s right hand side, while centre halves Luke Prosser and Tom Eastman are other players to look out for. This will be a game all about physicality and skill, and which will come up on top. If Colchester do rest a number of first team players which I expect that they will, Spurs’ skilful and technically gifted players could definitely expose some weakness in the league two sides defence. However, this is going to be a very tough game for Burnett’s youngsters who could be missing a couple of players due to the ongoing international break. Players such as Paris Maghoma, Japhet Tanganga and Troy Parrott are all unlikely to feature which is a massive disadvantage for Spurs. I do however, believe in Spurs’ ability to overcome Colchester United. My in-depth match report of tomorrow’s game should be out some time on Wednesday evening.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Whiteman, Lyons-Foster, Eyoma, Binks, Hinds, White, Bowden (c), Markanday, Oakley-Boothe, Tracey, Richards.

Subs from: De Bie, Okedina, Dinzeyi, Cirkin, Shashoua, Pochettino , Etete.

Injured/unavailable: Jeremie Mukendi. 

Doubtful: Maxwell Statham, Maximus Tainio, Japhet Tanganga, Paris Maghoma, Enock Asante, Troy Parrott.

Previous meeting: N/A.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Colchester’s physical centre forward Frank Nouble, who has scored three goals from 12 appearances for the league two side so far this season.