Ryan Mason sprung quite the surprise in terms of his Tottenham XI to take on Crystal Palace last Saturday after making some notable changes in defence.
The headline news was Eric Dier dropping down to the substitutes' bench after his struggles at the back in recent weeks, with Emerson Royal coming straight back into the team after his injury. Rather than just ease the Brazilian back into the side after his layoff, Spurs' acting head coach had no hesitation in naming Emerson in his XI and the player duly responded with a very impressive showing.
Previously always lining up in a 3-4-3 formation and very occasionally straying to 3-5-2 during Antonio Conte's Tottenham tenure, Mason demonstrated how flexible he is tactically with his plan to take on Crystal Palace. His side lined up in a 4-4-2 system when the Eagles were on the ball, before then switching to 3-4-3 when they themselves were in possession.
