Our Tottenham Hotspur fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hoping to avoid a potential banana-skin tie against League 1 side Rochdale today.

The Premier League club comes into the tie on the back of a fantastic comeback away against Italian giants Juventus, Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping to take that mentality into Spotland as they look to dispatch Rochdale early on.

However, with the League 1 side fighting relegation, Pochettino may see it fit to blood a couple more youngsters into the team, as he looks to rest some of the Champions League team. Our fans in the bar are hoping for a good game today and a tricky away tie is always going to be to watch out for.

As Pochettino as a long history of believing in youth players, if these two players the landlord has picked give a good account of themselves then further first team minutes will be on the horizon…

Kazaiah Sterling

The 19-year-old striker is just waiting in the wings at Spurs for his chance to shine. So far this season, he’s bagged himself nine goals in 24 appearances for the Tottenham Hotspur u23’s, alongside 3 assists, proving his class.

With the red-hot form of Harry Kane, Sterling may be waiting a while to be a regular in the first team, but when given the chance, especially against League 1 opposition. Sterling should look to impress and prove to Pochettino that he can be a worthy backup for the time being.

Tashan Oakley-Boothe

The centre-midfielder is playing way above his station in the u18’s and many in the bar believe it won’t be long before he’s making waves throughout Spurs. Having won the World Cup last year with the England U17 side, he made a huge impact in that competition that got many in the game talking.

Spurs are lacking in midfield options and a little bit of something different to offer might be the making of Oakley-Boothe.