Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino was too quick to dismiss the importance of the Carabao Cup.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino made no secret that the Carabao Cup was at the bottom of his priorities this season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Argentine feigned interest in the domestic cup competitions while making it clear the Premier League or Champions League are the trophies he really wants.
Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat to West Ham United knocked the Carabao Cup off the agenda but should be seen as a missed opportunity for Spurs.
While they have been the best team in England over the past two seasons, the path to winning major silverware is usually taken in baby steps.
In the two seasons before lifting his first Premier League title as Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson led the Red Devils to FA Cup and then League Cup glory.
Before becoming European champions for the first time in 2012, Chelsea established themselves as a domestic force with three league titles and five FA or League Cup wins.
Even with Sheikh Mansour’s millions, Manchester City needed an FA Cup success to give them the belief to end their 54-year title drought.
That is the only thing missing from this wonderful Spurs side; belief they can win, not just compete for, major honours. The only way to do that is by winning the smaller ones first.
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