If any Spurs players were watching Jose Mourinho lay out his tactical blueprint on Monday, a few of them could have been forgiven for shifting in their seats a little uncomfortably. In response to a question about whether Mourinho would continue to switch between a back three and a back four, Mourinho said: “Look, if you want to know what I wanted to do here, you look to my first game — against West Ham. That’s the way I thought I was going to develop the team. Defend with a back four, attack with a back three.”



He went on to explain that his preference for a back four is dependent on Ben Davies, who has been injured since the 75th minute of that West Ham game, but who we can expect to see straight back in the team once he’s fit again at the end of the month.



With Serge Aurier expected to continue as an attacking right-back to allow Davies to become a third central defender when Spurs are in possession, that leaves two centre-back spots...