Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester United means they’re probably out of title race… but Mauricio Pochettino really needs a trophy
Boss' decision to play weakened side in Carabao Cup against West Ham has backfired spectacularly following defeat
YES, IT IS early, but you could argue that Spurs’ defeat at Old Trafford has already put them out of the title race.
Eight points behind this Manchester City side is something to make up. Put simply, City would have to lose at least three games and right now they don’t look like losing one.
I can’t see Manchester United slipping up in the way they did at Huddersfield many more times either.
Which makes Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to play an under-strength side in the Carabao Cup look an even greater misjudgment than it did at the time.
I don’t doubt he will probably do the same in the FA Cup as well.
Yet he only has to look at recent history to realise what these competitions mean in the development of a team.
We are always being told what a great young Spurs side this is, but they need to win something.
City might now be looking at bigger things but they got the club’s winning mentality initially from their 2011 FA Cup win.
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The League Cup was also the springboard in both of Jose Mourinho’s terms at Chelsea.
Twice at Stamford Bridge he went on to win the League in the same season after the League Cup had been won.
Last season after lifting it again, this time with Manchester United, his side went on to win the Europa League as well.
Success has a habit of breeding success and, despite all the plaudits for Pochettino, he is going to need some.