Likely Lads will switch to face Spurs in Lane

DAVID MOYES is contemplating a defensive rejig at Tottenham today as he braces himself for a white-hot reaction from Mauricio Pochettino’s men to their Wembley let-down.

Sunderland boss Moyes believes Spurs will be right at home on their return to White Hart Lane after the setback of Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League defeat by Monaco at the national stadium.

Spurs have switched Champions League matches to Wembley due to a reduced capacity at the Lane during building work on their new ground.

Moyes, without a league victory and with only one point from four games since taking charge, admits he is considering a switch of his own – to three at the back.

It comes on the back of the 3-0 hammering Sunderland took at the hands of his former club Everton on Monday.

That could mean a first Sunderland league start for Jason Denayer, on from Manchester City, who came on as a sub against Everton.

Moyes said: “Yes, I’ve thought about three at the back. But no team has won the Premier League playing three at the back.

“It’s not a system which many coaches would say, ‘This is the way I’m playing’. It’s not a constant at the highest level.

“You could throw it in for one game, though.

“We’ll need to look at doing it at different times for different reasons.

“This could be that sort of game, it’s certainly worth discussing.

“But we don’t want to make too many changes.

“We’ve had to because of injuries, so we’re trying to be a bit more consistent, although form will dictate that.’’

Moyes fears this fixture presents an even greater danger for secondbottom Sunderland as Spurs head back to base.

He said: “I think it does because there’s the closeness of the supporters to the pitch and I think it helps them.

“But I have to say, for Tottenham to get near enough 85,000 fans to go to Wembley is a great achievement.”

Moyes is maintaining faith with England Under-21 keeper Jordan Pickford as a stand-in for injured Vito Mannone.

Pickford, 22, was at fault with Southampton’s late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s before the international break, but bore no blame for the Everton collapse as his defence fell apart after Romelu Lukaku’s secondhalf hat-trick.

Moyes has told Pickford to follow the example of England keeper Joe Hart, saying: “Jordan needs to continue to up his level, he needs to continue to change his body and his frame.

“But he’s got real potential to become a first-class goalkeeper.”