Image source, Getty Images

Trust-building exercises. We've all been there. Stood on a table with your office colleagues crowded round ready to catch you as you fall. 

Well, Mauricio Pochettino takes a different approach to his bonding methods. According to Swansea's Jack Cork,, external who played under Poch at Southampton, the Argentine adds a bit of a William Tell theme, getting players to push a plastic arrow to each others throats until it breaks. Sounds fun. In a sort of Saw films kind of way.

Well, whatever method Mauricio he uses, it is clearly working. All hail Pochettino and his wacky, wonderful ways. 

Urgh...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea's form is going in the opposite direction to Tottenham. They are without a win in their last three league games, having started the season with an unbeaten four-match run. They are also struggling with the distribution of goals throughout the team - only three players have scored a Premier League goal for the Swans this season, although one of them is Bafetimbi Gomis, who has four.

Image source, EPA

Tottenham'scharge up the tablehas gone somewhat unnoticed amongst some of the other narratives in play in the Premier League currently (Chelsea's meltdown, Rodgers' teetering tenure, Arsenal's wobbles, etc). Mauricio Pochettino will be more than happy with that, though. But they won't stay under the radar for long if they keep it up. They have won the last three, are unbeaten in six and will move into the top four with a win in Wales.

Image source, PA

You might remember that Tottenham won their last game 4-1. Manchester City certainly do.

One of their stars in that game (and indeed all season) was Dele Alli. The former MK Dons midfielder has been rewarded for his fine form this campaign with an England call-up. The following fact is a small insight into why he has received such rave reviews and recognition...

Alli run further than any other Spurs player in each of their last two Premier League games, and against Manchester City he covered 13.4km - the second furthest of any Premier League player in a game this season.

I don't think I've run that far this year.

Tottenhammake one change from the side that beat Manchester City 4-1 in their last league game. Forward Son Heung-min suffered a foot injury in that game at White Hart Lane and so Nacer Chadli starts. Ben Davies is up against his ex-employers.

Tottenham starting XI: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Alli, Dier, Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela, Kane.

Subs: Vorm, Trippier, Wimmer, Carroll, Dembele, Townsend, Clinton.

Image source, BBC Sport

Swansea make two changes from the 3-0 loss at Southampton. The first is in defence, where Angel Rangel replaces former Spurs man Kyle Naughton. The second sees Jefferson Montero replace Jack Cork in midfield. Gylfi Sigurdsson faces his former club.

Swansea starting XI: Fabianski, Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor, Ki, Shelvey, Ayew, Sigurdsson, Montero, Gomis.

Subs: Nordfeldt, Tabanou, Bartley, Cork, Barrow, Routledge, Eder.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Today's game at the Liberty Stadium is, of course, not really about national pride, it is about three important points between two teams with aspirations that lie in the top half of the Premier League table. Tottenham currently reside there and Swansea want in. In fact, a win would not only strengthen Spurs' top-half place, it could move them into the top ruddy four.

Image source, Reuters

It would be fair to say that Wales have had a sporting edge over England in recent weeks.

Whether you place any value on the official Fifa rankings or not, it currently has Wales in eighth place, two above their next-door neighbours. The dragon is also roaring in the current Rugby World Cup, soaring to the quarter-finals while St George limps away, sporting some nasty, humiliating burns and chuntering bitterly under his breath about needing a new sword.

Today sees another clash between representatives of the two nations. Will Swansea strike another blow for Wales or will Tottenham salvage a bit of pride for England?