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Ange has little scope for rotation at Tamworth

Spurs travel to National League side Tamworth (12.30pm Sunday - ITV) for a third round FA Cup tie that has naturally captured the hearts and minds of not only those living in the Staffordshire town, but understandably all non-partisan fans. Everybody loves an underdog, and everybody (except Spurs fans) would love an FA Cup shock. The two clubs have not met previously.

This will be the twelfth time we have meet non-league opposition in the FA Cup, since we first won the competition as a non-league team in 1901. The last such occasion was our 5-0 win against eighth tier Marine FC four years ago. Having bought one of over 30,000 virtual tickets, I still receive updates from Marine regarding their progress. That virtual ticket scheme was created because Covid restrictions meant the game had to be played in front of no fans, except a few local residents who could see over their garden fences!

16-year-old Alfie Devine became our youngest ever scorer in that game at Marine, and in our 1-0 win over Liverpool, 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall became our youngest scorer since Devine. Alfie is currently playing on loan with Belgian side Westerlo, as is another Spurs youngster – Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic, who is yet to be seen by Spurs fans in this country. Vuskovic (18 in February) has been ever-present in Belgium's Pro League and has scored 6 goals. Devine has three goals in 14 league appearances.

Incidentally, Bergvall became our youngest scorer of a League Cup goal since a certain Gareth Bale in September 2007.

Another item of note is that in that 20-21 season when we met non-league opposition in the FA Cup, we reached the League Cup Final. Here's hoping!

Tamworth play at The Lamb Ground and won promotion last season to the National League, topping the northern section last season with 96 points from their 46 games. They currently sit in 16th place and lost last weekend 2-0 away to promotion chasing Solihull Moors. Tamworth club chairman Bob Andrews says the Lamb Ground could hold around 3,700. The pitch has an artificial surface, which offers one challenge to our team.

Ange Postecoglou has said today (Friday) that he would not risk those players returning from injury on the artificial surface. I assume therefore that Richarlison will not be seen here. Mikey Moore was on the bench on Wednesday night, as was our summer signing from South Korea - 18-year-old Yang Min-hyeok. Perhaps we will see something of one or both of them. Rodrigo Bentancur has been confirmed as a concussion victim and will be absent for two weeks.

Ange has also said there is not much room for rotation with the number of players he has available, but surely Solanke needs a rest and Will Lankshear can be given a start here. There might be a chance for a first start for Alfie Dorrington at centre-back. He has height, and Archie Gray certainly deserves a break. James Maddison and Pape Sarr return after their suspension on Wednesday night.

Tamworth's route to this stage of the FA Cup has been courtesy a fourth qualifying round win over Northern Premier League side Macclesfield before a first round win over League One Huddersfield (1-0), and a penalty shoot-out win at Burton Albion. That game was drawn 1-1 and the shoot-out ended 4-3 in Tamworth's favour.

Tamworth previously reached the third round of the FA Cup in 2012, losing 2-0 to Everton at Goodison Park, when one of the scorers was Leighton Baines, who with Seamus Coleman took temporary charge in Everton's 2-0 win on Thursday night over Peterborough after the sacking of Sean Dyche.

Tamworth have previously played in the fifth tier, but they have won back-to-back promotions this time to reach this level. Managed by Andy Peaks, their top league scorer is Dan Creaney. Four of his eight goals have been scored in added time. Tamworth's win over Huddersfield came thanks to an own goal, but in the second round, their hero was Ronan Maher whose 94th minute extra-time goal came two minutes after former Derby player Mason Bennett had given Burton the lead.

Tamworth are the lowest placed team remaining in the competition and they sit 96 places below Spurs. They have a long throw merchant - 33-year-old Tommy Tonks - whose throws can reach the middle of the goal area, so Spurs need to watch out for those!

Spurs' blend of experience and youth, coupled with all the speed and skill of the Premier League should ensure no upset here, but the locals are in dreamland. The obvious prediction is for a very comfortable win.

Only a select band of away supporters can attend the game in person. Until medical circumstances (dodgy knees!) forced me to give up my away season ticket two years ago, I was privileged to be in that select band. Now, like most of you, I'll be watching on TV, hoping for an early goal to settle the nerves and a good win!

Don't forget, there is no VAR here and no replays any more. A drawn game after 90 minutes would lead to extra-time and penalties, if required. Our match referee (for the first time this season) will be Peter Bankes.

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