What are the worst excuses for sporting failure you've ever heard? Manchester United's grey kits?

Well, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has come up with a new one - the White Hart Lane pitch is too small at 100m long and 67m wide (it is the third smallest in the league!).

Pochettino said:, external "Our style means we need a bigger place to play because we play a positional game and it's true that White Hart Lane is a little bit tight. It's better for the opponent.

"For example, on Sunday, Newcastle play deep, same with West Brom and Liverpool, and it was difficult for us. We need time to adapt in our new set-up and understand out position better on the pitch."

Conor McLoughlin:, external Good to see Newcastle make so many changes to their starting XI, their fans must be clean sick of winning trophies these days.

Diego the Alter Ego:, external Got no idea what Pardew is going with that line-up. Dummett is going to get torn apart at centre back.

There's an interesting article on the Stoke Sentinel website today, in which ex-Saints and Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham asks why Stoke don't produce the same amount of young players as Southampton do through their academy. His answer? Geography.

"Southampton have no local competition when signing new players, whereas Stoke have got around three or four clubs they have to compete with to sign just one player," says Higginbotham., external

"Stoke have been unfortunate to miss out on some players in the past. Look at James Wilson at Manchester United. He's one of their hottest prospects, and he is from Stoke-on-Trent."

Thoughts? Is it as simple as location?

Jermaine Jenas
Former Tottenham midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"First and foremost, Ryan Taylor is a great story and a side people don't realise, everyone just talks about these players being on so much money. Those moments in the gym where you're on your own and the team is playing are dark moments.

"That first tackle, whether he likes it or not, it will be in his head. Hopefully he has done enough in training. He would have had to go into training and take some hits just to get his mental side right before he goes into games."

Image source, Getty Images

Glen Tuner:, external Spurs to win 3-0 tonight and a home tie in next round, preferably a lower league team, and we might sneak into Semi's

Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

"It is fantastic to see Ryan Taylor back from injury. You hope, for him on a personal level, this evening goes well. We saw how long it took Aaron Ramsey to overcome his long-term injury but hopefully it will all go well for him tonight."

It's derby week in Manchester, which means a lot of City fans have already began turning their focus to the weekend visit of United. But could that work in Newcastle's favour tonight?

Amid all the excitement of derby week, Ian Charters, from Cheadle in Greater Manchester, has done the unthinkable and put his seven-month-old son Eddie's allegiance up for auction.

The father, from Cheadle, Greater Manchester, is inviting bidders to choose either Manchester City or Manchester United for the youngster - with the proceeds going to charity.

As part of the deal Ian says he will even buy Eddie a shirt and take him to matches.

It's also League Cup night in Scotland. Can Celtic join Rangers in the next round? Find out here.

Svein Erik Gjelseng:, external I fear for Newcastle tonight. What on earth is Pardew thinking picking a side like that against City? Does he want the sack?

Image source, Getty Images

If the atmosphere is good at the Etihad tonight, it might be because City supporters are making a concerted effort to improve the matchday experience within the ground. A fans group has asked for the club to help them turn the stadium into a Maine Road-style mass of colour and noise in future.

A statement from the group, printed in the Manchester Evening News, added:, external "The support is there but it is a mainly local, working class support and even though our prices may be cheap compared to Arsenal or Chelsea, getting the ticket prices right is key to getting enthusiastic passionate fans into the ground.

"School playgrounds in Manchester are turning Blue again and it should be easy for these supporters to access the stadium especially if there are empty seats. We need the stands full at kick off time so we can make the displays work!"

The game at White Hart Lane has been delayed by 15 minutes because of traffic congestion. 8pm now. Radio commentary on Sports Extra will now begin at 19:45, with 15 minutes build-up to the match.

Danny: I've studied the Toon's line-up for a good five minutes and still have absolutely no idea what formation we're going for. Full backs everywhere.

Here's the line-up again: Elliot, Janmaat, Coloccini, Dummett, Haidara, Colback, Ryan Taylor, Abeid, Obertan, Armstrong, Aarons.

Image source, AP

Heading into tonight's match, Newcastle have been linked with a January loan move for ex-Spurs striker Jermain Defoe - but that's all news to the man himself.

Speaking in the Newcastle Chronicle, Defoe said:, external "I was at home seeing other things - like 'Jermain Defoe might be going to Newcastle'. I'm thinking: 'What? That's news to me.' It was mad.

"If a new club wants you they speak to your agent or the club you're at. As a player you're often in the dark."

If Newcastle do swoop, they might need to knock Harry Redknapp out of the way. Defoe added: "I remember speaking to Harry months ago and he said: 'Yeah, in the off-season you're going to come train and play for us and score goals.'"

Jatin Vaja:, external Is the draw for quarter-finals after the final whistle?

It certainly is, Jatin. Stay tuned and you'll see it here.

Image source, EPA

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini: "We have not had the results we wanted in the last two games, now we're playing the first of three home matches. We're just thinking of what we must do today. We have to try to be attacking, but be solid and defending well.

"We have to put out the best team we think can win this game. We play on Sunday against Manchester United so Yaya Toure and David Silva have time to recover - there's no reason why they can't play.

"Newcastle are always a difficult team, they always play with 100% intensity. We must concentrate defensively and offensively try to break down eight or nine men behind the ball."

Donald from Belfast: Strong side from City but only four first-team starters. Let's not get carried away about Saturday. Will still have enough to beat Utd.

Holders Manchester City make seven changes as they look to move a step closer to retaining the trophy. Most of them come at the back as Willy Caballero replaces Joe Hart in goal, with Bacary Sagna, Martin Demichelis and Aleksandar Kolarov coming into his defence. England midfielder James Milner, Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho and Montenegro forward Stevan Jovetic also start as Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri have to be content with places on the bench.

Newcastle also make half a dozen changes to the side which beat Tottenham at the weekend. But, unlike City, they are unable to bring in a host of established international stars. Talented teenagers Adam Armstrong and Rolando Aarons again earn League Cup starts, while goalkeeper Rob Elliot, defender Massadio Haidara and midfielders Ryan Taylor, Mehdi Abeid are also brought in.