TROPHIES WILL DEFINE POCH STARS
TODAY, KICK-OFF 4PM Thorstvedt urges ‘incredible’ Spurs boss to give cup real go DJKFDHHGHJJHFSDFKGJKGF-
CRYSTAL PALACE SPURS
But Erik Thorstvedt (right top), who was between the posts at Wembley back in 1991, believes this year’s competition could provide supporters with a welcome return to cup glory days.
This afternoon’s clash against Crystal Palace comes at a critical stage in Tottenham’s season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men were bundled out of the Carabao Cup by Chelsea on penalties at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.
And while they are still within touching distance of Manchester City and Liverpool in the title race, the absence of Harry Kane (right bottom) and Dele Alli through injury until March means they face an uphill task to continue to keep up the pace.
But the Norwegian believes the FA Cup could still provide some domestic cheer – and end a generation of underachievement in the tournament.
“It has been far too long,” said Thorstvedt. “When I was playing, Spurs were seen as a cup team – a club capable of competing in the FA Cup every season, but not one with the steely backbone to last a whole league campaign.
“I don’t think that’s the case any more. That win against Fulham last weekend, with an injury-time winner, would have been exactly the sort of game Spurs would have drawn or even lost in the past. “But this is a side that never gives up, never stops running and never stops believing – and a lot of that is down to the manager. “Yes, Spurs have a lot of injuries but the belief that the manager gives these players means that everyone who comes into the side believes they belong there. “A lot of managers criticise the resources they’ve got when players are out injured but you’ll never hear Pochettino do that. “The way he carries himself in front of the media is a lesson that others should follow. The signals he gives out to the fans and his own players are incredible.
“It’s too easy to think about yourself and your own job when you’re a manager, but he doesn’t do that.
“The way he handles everything is amazing.”
Whether Pochettino harbours frustration privately is another matter.
The club’s lack of transfer activity last summer and in the current window mean that resources are stretched.
The absence of Kane, their talisman domestically and in Europe, means that Spurs face a battle to see off competition from Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United to seal a place in next season’s Champions League through their league finish.
But winning some silverware would be the biggest sign yet that the north Londoners are ready to challenge for honours on a regular basis moving forward.
First up, though, is a significant obstacle in the form of Crystal Palace.
“Palace away is a difficult match because Roy Hodgson is a good organiser of a team and sometimes they’re very difficult to break down,” said Thorstvedt.
“But I think Spurs will put out a side that’s well capable of beating them.
“Getting into the top four is like winning a trophy in modern football, but lifting a cup at Wembley is something you can’t put a price on.”
Chelsea have denied them that chance in the Carabao Cup. Pochettino will be out to ensure Palace don’t follow their lead this afternoon.