3. The 4-3-3 Might Not Be Inevitable
Following the purchases of Paulinho and Nacer Chadli in particular, it was widely expected that Spurs' aim was to play a 4-3-3 formation with a midfield trio of Paulinho, Sandro and Mousa Dembele playing behind a forward three of Gareth Bale, Soldado and Chadli. Pre-season appears to have thrown a spanner in the works on that front. Most of the build-up to the upcoming campaign has seen Spurs operating with last season's 4-2-3-1 and, if any match was going to include the 4-3-3, you'd think this would have been the one to change. Obviously it remains to be seen whether or not Spurs will walk out next Sunday at Selhurst Park with a 4-3-3 formation set in place, but all the signs say otherwise at the moment.