Home » Opinion: Winning just the Carabao Cup is an acceptable outcome this season for Tottenham

Opinion: Winning just the Carabao Cup is an acceptable outcome this season for Tottenham

By Bruce Grove -

Tottenham has made a fine start to this campaign and it looks very much like this is the season that we may finally end our wait for a trophy.

The fine form of the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min is set to get the club back inside the top four at the very least this season.

Jose Mourinho has been appointed to help us win silverware, and we are still in the running for at least four trophies.

While it will be amazing to win all the trophies that we’re competing in, that is being unrealistic and a more realistic thing to do would be to choose one or two trophies and focus on winning them.

As a fan, I truly don’t mind winning any of the Carabao Cup, Premier League, Europa League or the FA Cup, I just want another trophy in our cabinet and I think that the likes of Kane and Son deserve trophies for their efforts.

Winning just the Carabao Cup, where we are in the quarter-finals, is not exactly the ideal trophy one would want this season but it is better than nothing and could be a catalyst for us to kick on and win further trophies. Success breeds success and winning becomes a habit.

Obviously, winning the Premier League title is the perfect scenario, the Europa League would be great and the FA Cup is nice but right now, any trophy will do, even if it is just the Carabao Cup and that for me, would be an acceptable end of the season.

Oh, and top four as well.

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East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  England Mike

Thin squads get flogged to death what with finishing in the top 4 and a run to a European final.

Thin because we didn’t make a signing for over a whole flipping year, plus our net spend was 17th and our wage bill was 7th.

It seems Poch’s detractors tend to have a blind spot to the reality of the resources he was working with. How convenient…

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  England Mike

Thin squads get flogged to death what with finishing in the top 4 and a run to a European final.

Thin because we didn’t make a signing for over a whole flipping year, plus our net spend was 17th and our wage bill was 7th.

It seems Poch’s detractors tend to have a blind spot to the reality of the resources he was working with. How convenient…

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  England Mike

Thin squads get flogged to death what with finishing in the top 4 and a run to a European final.

Thin because we didn’t make a signing for over a whole flipping year, plus our net spend was 17th and our wage bill was 7th.

It seems Poch’s detractors tend to have a blind spot to the reality of the resources he was working with. How convenient…

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago

I guess you’re right about that like you were about Tanguy?

You’re just ramping up the anti-Poch rhetoric because every time he’s praised for something he did it’s taken as a dig at Jose.
The past is the past, it can’t be changed but the future is yet to be written.

Poch did incredibly well on the 17th highest net spend and the 7th highest wage bill in the league. If you’re in denial about that I can’t help you, these are just facts.

Jose is no mug, he knows what he’s doing but was sacked from his last two jobs remember so the guy isn’t without his flaws. Even if you think he is nothing but the messiah…

With the relative backing he’s had to thicken the squad that was desperately needed, I think we will probably win something this season. I also think with similar backing Poch would have won something too. Opinions eh?

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

What wheels falling off? We’re up there with the best of everything. So we didn’t make the champions league in one out of how many seasons recently. We’ll be back next year. Were poch sacked straight after the CL final we would’ve. “Wheels falling off” yeah right. We have a great squad and a great manager (not to mention the rest of it all.

Cabspur
Cabspur
3 years ago
Reply to  SpursGoliath

It doesn’t matter what we think it’s what our defenders think and the opposition . A couple of 1-0 wins when we score in the first quarter would be hell for us but great for our boys to bury that nightmare.

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago

God knows how you can even begin to compare the two managers. Savile row to NEXT. poch is off the rail. I don’t think poch should take on a big job just yet. I think he thinks the same.

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago
Reply to  DannyG

Ndom and dembelle. Imagine having them two in the team. Our team is better now. Poch had the team singing as one stage though (albeit the same old tune)

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago
Reply to  England Mike

No “telling that poch ever did was good enough to come to anything tangible at Tottenham. They all stopped listening to him in the end. Some of his coaching staff were very much disliked (by many of the youngsters. MANY. glad to see the back of’m. They stick together the younger ones. Nothing bad said about poch (just that he should control his staff. Fkin bully’s. Fk the lot of’m. Grown men bullying boys. Khunts

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  England Mike

In his last season after not being backed with the wheels well and truly falling off the Levy wagon? He didn’t throw it, the team was just stale.

England Mike
England Mike
3 years ago
Reply to  Tappaspur

Tell that to the players like Poch did .

England Mike
England Mike
3 years ago

That was because he flogged them to death on the training with the inevitable blow out towards the end of each season.

England Mike
England Mike
3 years ago
Reply to  MiT

Excellently put.

England Mike
England Mike
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Colchester ?

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago

He ain’t Tottenham.

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago

He shoulda played Marcus more but he couldn’t handle his attitude (after calling him messi) not playing a quality young player coz he’s a bit naughty. Nonsense ting

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago

We got sussed out. Can’t keep playing the same style.

Steve KillerCushion Williams
Steve KillerCushion Williams
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

He wanted to address Uniteds issues, but he was blocked and refused multiple players and given players he didnt want! Everyone knows what happened at Manure apart from you… Youre like a snob who refuses to listen, expect everyone to agree with you and your love of Botch or else your slating them! …. Try reading up what happened at Manure if you really dont know….. EASTY OUT

Steve KillerCushion Williams
Steve KillerCushion Williams
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Nonsense…. Maureens tactics are deep and have proven success….. Far deeper than Botchs…… In Maureens first year at united he won 3 trophies. With players arguably not as good as ours….. I have reservations about Botchs tactics. The one trick pony, high press or die.. Won him sweet fcuk all……. Gotta hand it to you, you spout nonsense every time i hear you..

Steve KillerCushion Williams
Steve KillerCushion Williams
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

🤣 Botch chose to have a thin squad year after year after year… He admitted himself on countless seasons that he was very happy with the squad. He chose to keep small squads. He said he didnt want January signings (when we desperately needed them)……. When the hell are you going to shut up about your precious Botch? Hes been gone over a year now! Get over the loser…….. Looks like I was wrong about Tanguys mentality. Hold my hands up there. Fair shout to the lad, I’ve been rooting for him ever since the window shut and hes been playing…. Well then Mr Moanalot, so you think Botch had large squads? That is nonsense you hypocryte…. EASTY OUT

Steve KillerCushion Williams
Steve KillerCushion Williams
3 years ago
Reply to  Tappaspur

Raneri got the better of Pochs best team. Leicester beating us to the league was embarrassing.. Botchs team were never competitive towards the end of each season. When it really counts… I don’t think it was overtraining like many do. It was because his squads were so small. No strength in depth.

Eddie
Eddie
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

It would be be great if winning the Ropey and getting top 4 meant that both the chavs and the a*se miss out on the Ropey and/or the CL.

CowSpurs
CowSpurs
3 years ago
Reply to  DannyG

Do me a favour, we have won 2 leagues out of 5! Hardly stellar is it? It should be 4 wins, but it isn’t. Those 4 dropped points, and we will drop more, will prove costly. By your reckoning we have to win the league. Top 4 is a realistic target.

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago
Reply to  MiT

Yeah but if he didn’t choose to prioritize the stadium we wouldn’t be able to pay Kane son ndom these big wages or José. For me it was all worth it. We’re set for lif€. Levy used poch brilliantly.

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Fk poch!

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

“The league cup is a waste of resources? Tell that to young fans who’ve not witnessed their club win anything. It’s a jolly up on the manor. You’re totally missing the point. THE COMMUNITY WANT A CUP. what do you care about our community anyway

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Nonsense.

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago
Reply to  MiT

Poch is just a bang average manager. He ain’t as special as many are making out. “He got us believing again” I never stopped believing,

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Jose pep klopp woulda won something here under the same circumstances. Rodgers. Bielsa. Santo probably would’ve too. Poch had a cracking set of players once. Should’ve done much better. Poch had quality. One billion pound team at one stage.

Cabspur
Cabspur
3 years ago
Reply to  MiT

Agree MiT a much fairer assessment ,poch is getting utterly ripped for his weakness in certain area’s we people hated him it seems. He got rid of of many demons we had not beating chelski man u for 20 years etc so wasn’t a total loser and of course top 4. I love the optimism by most and feel it myself but time will tell . After the Everton game I was not confident those late signing’s have really boosted the team something the previous inexperienced COACH never got . Maureen has a great opportunity to win the league ,who looks much better than spurs ? No one really let’s go do it.

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  Dan

Dembele wasn’t around for the last two and a half seasons of Pochettino’s time as manager. Donna Cullen told us that Skipp and Amos would be promoted to the first team instead of signings, remember?

All managers need quality to be successful, Poch did more with less than most… He wasn’t backed.

Dan
Dan
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Dembele ……the key to poch’s success

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  DannyG

😂

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  MiT

I agree with much of what you say. Mourinho carries a lot of clout so you don’t employ him and not try and go with his experience and knowledge.

My only slight concern is our defending and the way we do it. Everyone is putting it down to the personnel he’s inherited. I just feel that it’s the way he relies more on sitting and blocking the opponent deep. It seems to happen even when we are on top in games and we lose the initiative somehow.

We have now failed to beat Newcastle, Everton and the Spammers at home.and it seems that we aren’t keeping up the attacking intensity enough at the right moments.

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  SpursGoliath

Neither am I, I just get a bit tired of this perception that we weren’t truly competitive in spirit until Jose’s arrival. The squad wasn’t deep enough in quality but you don’t finish top 4 every season and beat Real Madrid if you lack determination and resolve. In fact it’s tye biggest load of bo**ocks I’ve ever heard, especially when you consider our budget.

MiT
MiT
3 years ago
Reply to  James McKevitt

Scheduled for Gdansk, Poland. However, we will see how all of that goes.

SpursGoliath
SpursGoliath
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

It didn’t feel spursy to me because it seemed a result from a degree of arrogance rather than a degree of fear.

I’m not worried about us this season.

MiT
MiT
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

I trust Mourinho’s ability to guide this squad to successful results, and ultimately to topping some competitions. He has his finger on the pulse of the squad, he recognises the players who are problems, don’t fit, ot don’t give the required effort, and he actually wields the influence to get Daniel Levy to do something about it.

In my view, what happened against West Ham was very tangible, very preventable. Mourinho caused that result by substituting players who were a poor combination for executing the task of controlling and closing out the match. I believe he will not let that happen again.

I will not forget Pochettino’s efforts under difficult, nearly impossible conditions. Consistent Champions League qualifications, and even a CL Final… under a chairman who chose for several seasons on end to prioritise a stadium build over squad quality on the pitch. Spurs persevered over 2 seasons away from home, with little squad reinforcement (none for several windows,) wantaway players, and practically no bench.

Pochettino will be remembered fondly by fans years from now, and hopefully will be recognised for keeping the squad in places that were lofty considering their conditions and lack of support.

But that was then, and this is now. Mourinho has the belief of his squad and of his chairman. He now has a strong, deep squad, and he is proven to know how to win competitions when he is properly supported.

Cabspur
Cabspur
3 years ago
Reply to  CowSpurs

My thoughts currently ,improved squad and happy but will judge after 5 more games .
The league is there to be won though for sure.

Cabspur
Cabspur
3 years ago

Would sacrifice the cups for the league😉

Cabspur
Cabspur
3 years ago
Reply to  Differentgravy

I agree not the best team but close but defo a much improved squad ,really have to stop losing 3.0 leads though ,,like no more from now. Strangely I think of these early cup games have given the squad time to get to know each other and get match fit faster whilst being managed well by Maureen regarding rest and rotation.

DannyG
DannyG
3 years ago
Reply to  CowSpurs

Son and Kane are better players now than under Poch. We have Bale. We have between NDombele and Hoijberg everything we had from Dembele. I’ll say it again, our team is better now than under Poch.

DannyG
DannyG
3 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Of course not.

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  CowSpurs

Is he a defensive mastermind these days? Can he even get the players to defend like that anymore?

He’s been a great manager but much of Utd’s issues were down to defensive problems under him. I back him to sort it out but it’s an issue and one that failed to go away in his last job…

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  England Mike

Well, it was common knowledge that ‘St Totteringhams Day’ and ‘Spursy’ was very much a thing before Poch. Where have you been for the last 5 years? Under a rock? 3-3 against the Spamners was about as ‘Spursy’ a result I’ve seen for ages. 😂

Throwing it away from winning positions? Didn’t happen often under Poch…

MiT
MiT
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonathan Hurst

Every match is pretty much the same. Perhaps a little bit of surface familiarity, and obviously a non-travel day, but other than that, there really is no Home Advantage to speak of.

Add to that – when player’s truly take on a hard-ass mentality, they relish winning at the other squad’s patch.

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  DannyG

Was Jose trying to ‘throw’ the cup game we lost at home to Norwich last season?

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago
Reply to  CowSpurs

Totally agree. The midfield and especially the forward line looks deep and formidable while we have a midfield enforcer again for the first time in about two years.

The defending was also an issue for Jose at Utd. I hope I’m wrong because this season is a very good chance to win something.

The way Jose likes his teams to defend and control the game doesn’t seem to suit present day defenders particularly well. I’m not just being ‘down on Jose’ but it has been one of the reasons why I have my reservations about his tactics.

Retired defenders who work as pundits say “what’s happened to the art of defending?”. The fact is that the game isn’t really played that way at any top level anymore. Academy’s and team coaches at the younger age groups haven’t been coaching their defenders that way for years now. All about playing higher up and sweeper keepers etc.

Look at who wins big now, Liverpool, Bayern, Citeh. They all play on the front foot and further up. It might not be a massive issue but until we stop inviting pressure we can’t handle then we might not get where we need to this season.

England Mike
England Mike
3 years ago

The Poch mentality still exists for some, but thankfully not in the players, Mourinho has had to transform that weak and pathetic state of mind that has plagued the club for five years or so. He fights on all fronts , so there is no need to think we’ll be sacrificing one for another, the very fact we’ll be trying in each competition is enough for me, so any trophy will do thank you very much.

CowSpurs
CowSpurs
3 years ago
Reply to  DannyG

Our starting 11, with Lloris, Walker, Rose, Jan, Tobes, Dembele, Eriksen, Son, Dele, Kane (plus one other) was far better than what we have now. We have a better squad now and hopefully the second string can save the legs of our players who will be needed to be fresh for the big games. I agree about Poch not being bothered by the FA Cup or League Cup, but I liked the bravado that the League and Ch Lg were priorities. Few Spurs managers have ever had that perspective. Our defence does worry me, this is something even the great defensive mastermind that is Jose has not been able to fix.

James McKevitt
James McKevitt
3 years ago

If the Europa League Final is on the continent, unlikely there will be many fans at it, unless a vaccine delivers us all. Hopefully we would have some fans at an FA or League Cup final.

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago

What manager ‘chooses’ to have an ‘ultra thin squad’? Are you just going to keep making this stuff up to try and decry the only manger since Bill Nic to get us in the top four positions in the league four seasons running?

Tanguy should have been sold too according to you. Gotta hand it it to you, you’re certainly a reliable source of nonsense…

James McKevitt
James McKevitt
3 years ago
Reply to  Tappaspur

Domestic double and top four, mainly because of our proud FA Cup history, a win is long overdue. Plus I’d hope there would be be fans there, travel to a Europa League Final will likely still be not allowed.

East Stand
East Stand
3 years ago

The League Cup is a waste of time and resources. Winning the Ropey would be good but only if we finished top 4 as well. Yes, you qualify for the Champions League via it but it’s too risky to pin everything on it.

Besides top four would at the very least put us back where Pochettino had us for four years running, so at least we will have consolidated our status as a top 4 club.

mikey hughes
mikey hughes
3 years ago

We’re in it to win it, that’s everything we’re in. Aim high.

CowSpurs
CowSpurs
3 years ago

If we were putting teams like Newcastle and West Ham to bed I would agree. Blowing 3-0 leads is far from acceptable, we have to sort that out because if they can punish us so can far better teams, and of course anything can happen in one off Cup games. Being realistic, apart from Stoke and Brentford there are 6 teams capable of winning, but only City and Arsenal have form in winning and one of those are going home. By Dec 21 teams will be showing more consistency. We should beat Stoke so a Newcastle semi would be ideal. Otherwise we will have 2 tough games. The squad is bigger than past years, but the defence has too many question marks for me to be confident.

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago

No one out there to be feared. Can do the lot of’m.

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago

Plus we can then boast twice as many European pots as arsenal🌚 4-2

Steve KillerCushion Williams
Steve KillerCushion Williams
3 years ago
Reply to  CowSpurs

It’s early days, but in one transfer window we suddenly have strength in depth. I believe our squad now is stronger than at any point under Botchy.. He chose to have an ultra thin squad repeatedly. If he wasn’t happy then he shouldn’t have kept confirming that he was very happy… With all the top clubs faltering in the midst of the pandemic, titles are there for the taking.. As long as we have no serious injuries to key players then we have to be in the mix. We are surely one of the favourites to win the league cup. Last eight after beating the chavs. The ropey league also top 3 favorites. The fa cup would be nice as James mentioned. The Prem would be the toughest to win but even that is smelling like that Leicester winning year. The Scouse were faltering before thay lost Van Dijk. Both Manchester clubs are stuttering. The chavs and the gooners seemingly have good players and squads, but both are flakier than us at the back. I would dare to say we are dark horses to win the prem. To dare is to do.

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago
Reply to  James McKevitt

Domestic double and top four or Europa cup winners and top four?

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago

Top four and a double. 🌚

Tappaspur
Tappaspur
3 years ago
Reply to  DannyG

I can sense it too.

Lilywhite without the II
Lilywhite without the II
3 years ago

Winning the Europa would be my priority…a European cup and guaranteed CL….this is winnable depending on who the drop down teams are..

DannyG
DannyG
3 years ago

🤪

Lilywhite without the II
Lilywhite without the II
3 years ago
Reply to  DannyG

thats what I told my driving instructor

DannyG
DannyG
3 years ago

Exactly. No need to sacrifice anything.

DannyG
DannyG
3 years ago

I hate this talk of “concentrating on winning one” – it’s nonsense. You try you level best to win every game you play. The more competitions you’re in, the more chance you’ll win one. Every game is important. Win them all, or at least leave nothing behind trying. “Concentrating” is for losers.

Lilywhite without the II
Lilywhite without the II
3 years ago
Reply to  DannyG

ffs!

DannyG
DannyG
3 years ago
Reply to  CowSpurs

We’re much better placed to win something than we were under Poch for sure. Reason being Mourinho won’t throw cup games, he tries to win every game. Also we have an incredible forward line. Players are better than under Poch. We’re going to win something for sure. Don’t worry, it’s going to happen.

James McKevitt
James McKevitt
3 years ago

The FA Cup if I could choose, but hopefully with fans present and a parade to celebrate with fans again.

CowSpurs
CowSpurs
3 years ago

“looks very much like this is the season that we may finally end our wait for a trophy”. Some statement that. Of course I want to win a trophy but why are we in a better state right now than when we were with Poch? Yes, we beat Utd but that was twixt between 2 draws v a very poor Newcastle and a spawny West Spam. Being like that is hardly an indicator that we are ready to win a trophy but part and parcel of being a Spurs fan. Anyone remember Redschapps losing to Portsmouth in the semi? When we get some consistency and start beating both the cannon fodder and getting results against the other big 5 I will think differently.

Differentgravy
Differentgravy
3 years ago

It’s gonna be a weird season, the league isn’t out of the question….

Steve KillerCushion Williams
Steve KillerCushion Williams
3 years ago

We have the squad now to fight on all fronts. We focus on winning them all… Top four plus a pot or two would be great. I can see us winning any of the three cups.

Jonathan Hurst
Jonathan Hurst
3 years ago

Agreed mostly although home form makes me question the fine start lol

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