Oh fuck..You really want to know? Better put on some earmuffs.
IMO Dembele in the final third is key. Regardless who plays, Dembele should be used in the final third as a nailed on right sided AM.
We almost can't go wrong with any team we put out as long as Poch does not overload the team with lightweight players or put our a slow starting 11.
My opinion will be as unpopular as ever but I think Eriksen, and Son should be subs. If everyone was fit, this would be my starting 11:
------------------Kane-----------------
--Bentaleb----Mason----Dembele--
------Alli----------------Dier-----------
Davies--Jan-----Toby-----Walker
-----------------Lloris-------------------
The reason I say Dembele is key is he would not leave Trippier or Walker isolated like Townsned or Lamela did and ruin his defensive game. Eriksen does the same to Rose. I would not play Chadli in this instance because that leaves too much work for Alli.
I may be 100% wrong, but I am convinced Bentaleb, Alli, Mason and Dembele would be killers as AM's long term.
The only thing I worry about is pace. Which is why I'm glad we got the signings we did as Song and Njie on the ball are pacy so we can sprinkle it in among us when it's not going our way. That is why I am glad we have Rose, Walker etc who have pace in spades.
IMO Kane has been suffering because Eriksen, Chadli and Lamela often lose the ball in the final third. If we were in Europe constantly I would go Song, Eriksen, Lamela etc. But if I wanted to win the prem, I'd play the above team all season and eventually I think they will be world beaters.
This:
------------------Kane-----------------
--Bentaleb----Mason----Dembele--
------Alli----------------Dier-----------
Would IMO fucking murder Eriksen, Lamela, Song, Njie etc if they went head to head.
Lots have written off Bentaleb. IMO he will come back like a man possessed. What I am worried about is Poch will do a Dembele again and keep playing these stallions out of position as sad DM's.
These are serious players players. I still think Eriksen, Lamela, Son etc are mavericks, which makes them perfect super strong backup.
The back line would stay the same because it's the best defensive unit I've seen in a Spurs shirt in years.
I did want to put Rose in my starting 11 in Bentlebs place but his crossing...His passing and through balls...He has not given me a single crumb of evidence he improved from last season, he's gone backwards.
So the key to my opinion: When we make a change...We make a fucking change. Son and Eriksen for Bentleb and Dembele. That's trying to change something. Not more Townsend for Lennon.
I can't agree with your team proposal, but I do agree with some of your thoughts, or at least find them interesting.
I love the idea of Dembele as one of our AMs. That helps us so much in our defensive game, in our ball retention, and in dominating games. For partly the same reason, I think that both Bentaleb and, in particular, Mason are interesting alternatives.
Lamela, Eriksen and Townsend have all at times been disastrously bad defensively, and they've all also lost the ball in dangerous situations that have directly lead to conceded goals on numerous occasions.
At least one of Dembele, Mason and Bentaleb would make our pressing game much better, as they are miles better at winning the ball. Although, I have to add, it seems that Eriksen and, even more so, Lamela has improved that part of their game.
Your mistake, however, is the same as Poch made, as I pointed out ahead of the United game: The balance isn't quite right.
If the AMs, CMs/DMs and the full backs are all chosen for what they bring defensively, it's going to be hard to score goals.
Personally I do not want to see a defensive Spurs, going for 1-0s.
If our AMs are more defensive than usual, it is even more important with offensive contributions from full backs and from at least one CM.
Rose must be our LB, imo. Walker needs to be more offensive. Alli or Mason should be alongside a more defensive midfielder, and provide runs into and around the box. Then at least one of Eriksen, Lamela and Son should be in the team. If Son, then we'd need another creative playmaker type player in there, like Bentaleb.
I wouldn't mind seeing:
Lloris
Walker - Toby - Jan - Rose
Dier - Alli
Dembele - Bentaleb - Son
Kane
For example. I think we have a very versatile, exciting group of players, and that we have some millions possible well functioning lineups. But it's important to balance the lineup, and not only focus on the defensive or on dominating possession. We need goals too.