After another disappointing away performance in the Premier League, the Carabao Cup offers Tottenham a pathway to success.
Tottenham need to overcome big Carabao Cup
Ange Postecoglou’s goal is to coach Tottenham to the level of the best teams in England and of course, win trophies. Spurs have put in some imperious performances against lower and mid-table sides, but have often failed to secure results against the top teams during Ange’s tenure so far, currently leaving them 8th in the Premier League table.
The Carabao Cup, which is Tottenham’s next competitive fixture, still contains many of the best sides and presents itself as an opportunity to take that step.
In addition to their R16 opponents, Manchester City, the cup still contains many of England’s most prominent clubs, including; Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
Additionally, there are Newcastle, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Leicester, all of whom Spurs have dropped points to this season.
City at home is a fixture steeped in chaos
Of course, Manchester City presents the greatest challenge. They are still ranked #1 in Uefa’s club coefficients and are capable of dismantling anyone. However, Tottenham have a history of snatching wins against Pep’s side when playing at home.
Manchester City have only managed 2 wins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since it opened. Furthermore, only one other side who Pep Guardiola has managed against more than 5 times (Liverpool), has managed to take more points from Manchester City on average.
Although, within that, Tottenham have failed to win against Manchester City in their last three attempts. The psychological hold, Tottenham previously possessed over Pep Guardiola, may no longer be an advantage Spurs can exploit.
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So far this season, Manchester City have a steadily growing injury crisis, missing some of their most influential players and are looking more vulnerable to threats in transition. Tottenham have struggled to maintain consistent form, but have generated more goals from counterattacks than any other side and hope to have a full-strength line-up available with the potential returns of Son Heung-min and Wilson Odobert.
It is a game which has the potential to go in any direction. With both sides looking at a hectic schedule of tough Premier League matches and European away games ahead of them, it is a match-up which could be decided by whoever gives the game a greater priority.
If Spurs can get past City, the sky is the limit
It is foolish to dismiss the challenge Manchester City present, however, if Tottenham were to manage this heroic Carabao Cup feat, there is no telling how far they could go.
In spite of the wealth of imposing clubs still in the competition, Tottenham would only have to bypass another two of them to reach the final. As is the case with all competitions, you can only play who you are drawn against, so the difficulty of your cup run is the luck of the draw.
Tottenham should not shy away against difficult cup ties. They will never reach the standard of the strongest clubs if they do not test themselves against the best opponents. Each of the teams still in the Carabao have recently inflicted wounds against Tottenham and the Spurs’ players should relish the chance for vengeance in a knockout system.
Both Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, two of the Premier League’s most successful managers used the League Cup as an opportunity to instil a trophy-winning mentality amongst their teams. This could be Postecoglou’s opportunity to set Tottenham on his projected path to glory.