A Tottenham Hotspur starting XI can be a deceptive thing. Recent precedent in the use of specific players and conventional wisdom in how certain opponents should be approached can make you examine manager Mauricio Pochettino's selections simplistically.
His team for the early October win over Manchester City was one such example. Tottenham's social media team listed Dele Alli as playing in central midfield proper. Up against Pep Guardiola's vibrant attacking outfit, a switch back to a more cautious 4-2-3-1 after weeks using something closer to 4-1-4-1 seemed a reasonable call and assumption.