Fixture Focus - Spurs (21 Sep 2016)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Gillingham FC

(League Cup Third Round)

Spurs is kicking off the League Cup campaign with hosting the League One side Gillingham.

Kane is out due to an ankle injury incurred from the Sunderland game, so we may see Janssen deputising him for this match. Pochettino could also field some youngsters in the line-up.

Gillingham FC would be missing midfielder O'Hara.

This should be a walk in the park for Spurs, barring any surprises.

COYS!

Fixture Focus - Spurs (23 Sep 2015)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal FC

(Capital One Cup, Third Round)

3 home games, 3 different competitions, within the space of 1 week. For this round, Spurs is hosting their “friendly” neighbours Arsenal for the Capital One League Cup third round tie.

Rotation of the squad is on Pochettino’s mind again. 3 games within the space of 1 week is no joke, and with the 4^th game coming up on Saturday against the invincible blue half of Manchester, he really needs to think on who to put up. Promising youngsters such as Alli may be chosen to take up the task against the Gunners.

With a not so impressive performance over the past few games, Wenger may be fielding a slightly stronger team against us, so we might be seeing some familiar names such as Walcott and Ozil starting against us.

A draw game means a replay, and this scenario is no good especially with both teams’ commitments in the domestic league and Europe. I expect there will be a conclusive result for this game.

COYS!

Fixture Focus - Spurs (1 Mar 2015)

Chelsea FC vs Tottenham Hotspur

(Capital One Cup Final)

A repeat of the 2008 final, Spurs will face Chelsea for the first cup silverware of the season.

Pochettino have 3 days to prepare the squad after the defeat at Fiorentina in Italy, and he will throw everything into this game to ensure victory, no more no less. There is no injury concerns and that means he could assemble the best formation he could think of against the likes of Chelsea.

Mourinho would have to put his rants aside and concentrate on the game against their London neighbours. Matic is out due to suspension, and Mikel is out on injury.

Although the memories of the 5-3 victory remained fresh, this game would not be the same as that one.

COYS!

Fixture Focus – Spurs (28 Jan 2015)

Sheffield United FC vs Tottenham Hotspur

(Capital One Cup, Semi Final 2^nd Leg)

We know that Chelsea is in the final of this competition. If we are through, it will be a repeat of the 2008 final, which ironically that was when we won our last silverware.

But first things first, we need to win this game. The thing that separates these two sides is just a goal that resulted from a penalty kick. Spurs are probably still in shock after the untimely exit from the FA Cup competition, which The Blades would likely to capitalise on. Underestimating the opponent would be the last thing on Pochettino’s mind now.

Sheffield United, led by a high street-cred manager Clough, is harbouring hopes of an upset, especially so after seeing what Leicester did and this match is played at their homeground, Bramall Lane.

An exciting game awaits. COYS!!!!

Fixture Focus–Spurs (Capital One QF, 18 December 2014)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle
 

Nothing will taste sweeter than revenge. And there is nothing more exciting than a cup tie at home for the fans.

There is talk that Alan Pardew will field understrength sides for cup competitions but we should take it seriously regardless. A cup win is our best hope for silverware this season and the gaffer has said he will try to field a squad that will be sufficient to take us to the semi-final. This could be worrying to be very honest.

I’m hoping that this tie is won in regular time so that players can rest for the weekend.

 

COYS!

Fixture Focus - Spurs (24 Sep 2014)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest

(Capital One League Cup 3^rd Round)

Another silverware competition which we are adept at, Spurs will play host to once legends Nottingham Forest.

Defeated at home to West Bromwich, Pochettino is fine tuning the lineup further, especially so since the North London Derby is coming around the weekend. Keeper Vorm and striker Soldado are likely to start in this game.

Pearce’s Forest are facing a string of absent players, with captain Cohen and striker Fryatt not available.

These 2 clubs have gone a long way in cup competitions, stringing numerous trophies among them. Though Forest may be considered a has-been, but for historical significance this is a match worth to watch.

COYS! 

Fixture Focus–Spurs (Capital One Cup, 31 October 2013)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Hull City FC

This is Spurs vs Hull part deux!

Hull made it tough for us last Sunday and we only won because of a penalty even though we had almost 70% possession. I expect similar tactics from them today again with a 5-4-1 formation designed to frustrate the home side.

Spurs will field a fairly strong side as AVB has publicly made the war cry that we will want to win trophies. He is expected to ring the changes with a number of first team players given a well-earned rest. Hugo Lloris, Michael Dawson, Paulinho, Sandro, Andros Townsend and Roberto Soldado are among those likely to be given a breather.

Defender Danny Rose remains out with a toe problem while Younes Kaboul is also struggling to overcome an abductor injury. Midfielder Etienne Capoue is not yet ready to return as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury so Lewis Holtby could play in a deeper role. Youngster Zeki Fryers is a doubt with a groin injury but he might be risked at left-back, while Brad Freidel, Erik Lamela, Nacer Chadli and Jermaine Defoe are expected to start.

Given Hull’s excellent start to the season, I expect this to be a slim win for us again.

Fixture Focus–Spurs (Capital One Cup, 25 September 2013)

Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur

Just barely 48 hours after a tough victory over Cardiff City on Sunday evening, our boys travel to Villa Park to kick off our Capital One Cup campaign this season.

Paul Lambert has been forced to rest several players who have featured thus far in the Barclays Premier League, the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor, Christian Benteke, Fabian Delph and Antonio Luna all looking likely to miss out. But he assures the fans that they will go out and try to get a result.

It is the same for AVB.  “This is an impossible game for us to play, but hopefully our team spirit and motivation can get us through,” he said. “It (the Capital One Cup) is not our absolute number one priority but I don’t think we have been given a fair chance to play in this competition this year.

I honestly think that fringe players will feature as we do have to face Chelsea on Saturday. Expect Harry Kane to get a start and Holtby to feature as well. We should also see Vlad Chiriches in defence as well.

The quality is there for us to win this against a weakened Villa team.

Fixture Focus - Spurs (31 Oct 2012)

Norwich City FC vs Tottenham Hotspur

(Capital One Cup Fourth Round)

For our third away game in a row, Spurs will be travelling to Carrow Road, home of Norwich City FC, to fight it out for a spot in the next round of the Capital One Cup competition.

And also being the third away game in 7 days, though AVB will treat every game seriously, he is likely to make some changes on the players heading for the team bus. Dawson and Sigurdsson are expected to start, with probably the usual benchers such as Townsend, Livermore and Naughton given a chance at the line-up. Dembele could not make it back in time in full fitness for this game.

Former ex-Spurs man and current Norwich manager Hughton will want his team to continue their good form recently, after a victory over our neighbours and a draw with Villa. However, he may be making some changes to his usual line-up as well, with Jackson or Morison covering for Holt, and Snodgrass (who scored the equaliser against us at the Lane almost 2 months ago) will come back from injury to start in this game.

Let the game begin! COYS!

Fixture Focus - Spurs (26 Sep 2012)

Carlisle United FC vs Tottenham Hotspur

(League Cup 3rd Round)

Spurs will be travelling away to Brunton Park, home of Carlisle United, in the newly-renamed Capital One Cup 3rd round clash.

Like the other top EPL teams, AVB will likely field a few non-first teamers for this game, which means Townsend and Caulker are likely to start. Regulars such as Dawson and Huddlestone are also likely to be on the starting lineup.

League One side Carlisle United will instead be putting their whole first team into this game, led by the attacker Cadamarteri. Loanee from Huddersfield Town Higginbotham will be in as well. Midfielder Thirlwell and defender Livesey took knocks in the previous game but should be able to start.

Expect a Spurs victory. COYS!