The importance of our summer signings

MIDDLESBROUGH vs SPURS

Moussa Dembele, Danny Rose and Eric Dier are unavailable which shows the sensibility in not playing Victor Wanyama on Wednesday as some had suggested.

When picking teams you have to be mindful of the games coming up and rotate the squad. It was an ideal game to play Tom Carroll and a nice touch to give him the captains armband when Christian Eriksen went off for a rest, having sat out the previous Premier League game against Sunderland.

Carroll isn't among the subs so the captaincy just gives him that extra little bit of thanks.

Our subs bench today sees Georges-Kevin N'Koudou sitting there after a very encouraging 30 minutes against Gillingham that for me showed he is a better prospect than Clinton Njie, who needs plenty of football to develop.

Son was rested against Gillingham and comes back in while Lamela played, is rested for this game, although he may come on of course, but will probably start against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

Wanyama reverts to his proper position, the Eric Dier role, as opposed to the link role Dele Alli is going to play today. Sissoko retains his place after a successful start last week and we see Janssen as our lone striker.

Three of our summer purchases start and the side still has a strong look about it.

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