5. Learn To Play Without Bale
Gareth Bales booking for diving was a blessing in disguise. Villas-Boas talked after the game about of Bale cleaning himself but at the time Bale was booked Spurs were only winning 1-0. It would have been brave, or foolish, to pick up a yellow that early, and for something so controversial. So Bale is clean for a possible quarter final tie, should Spurs progress, but it is also an opportunity for Tottenham to come up with a game plan which does not have Bales brilliance at its core. While it is extreme to say Spurs are a one man team, the Welshman has been key to Spurs good form in 2013. It is not like AVB does not have options. Lennon may be available for the Inter game but it could be risky to play him in what should be a comfortable game. Lewis Holtby has impressed the fans with his work rate and touch, despite not really excelling, and this could be a prime opportunity to play him in his favoured central role. Spurs could change formation from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2, look to sit deep and hit on the counter, or numerous others tactics that differ from the norm. It is not often you get to experiment in competitive fixtures but with a couple of key men out, this could be a prime opportunity for Spurs to try out a few Plan Bs.