An Opportunity Missed

It is never nice to lose to a rival. Even less so, at home. But it is not the loss itself that was so galling about Spurs' 3rd-round exit in the League Cup – being out of what is arguably the Club's least-valued competition may actually have its benefits as the season goes on – but the fact remains that we were sent into the game with one hand tied behind our back from the start.

Article by Will Driscoll

Follow e-Spurs on Twitter - CLICK HERE

'Like' e-Spurs on Facebook - CLICK HERE

Federico Fazio, who many will wish never to see again in a Spurs shirt, had not played a competitive game for months; he has never played one with Wimmer, his centre-back partner for the evening. And this, in front of Vorm, also without recent competitive matches to his name. Against Arsenal – a game that means more to most fans than any other, and, as I firmly believe, more than the one against an oil-rich club from Manchester that will come on Saturday, which was presumably the reason for the manager's heavy handed rotation. To me, the selection amounted to Pochettino dismissing this game's importance, and I am surprised that, as an ex-player who is very familiar with the intensity of derbies from his time in South America, he could approach this game with such indifference.

If it had been a Carlisle or Hull team we faced, I'd have accepted such heavy rotation and even an early-round exit, but you do not play a weakened side against your rivals – no matter what the competition. For the players, a win would have been an incomparable moral boost, a fourth straight victory, and one, again, Against Arsenal; the cheers of supporters ringing long in their ears. Off the pitch, the supporters would have got to cheer long and hard, a fanbase truly lifted going into a busy run of games.

*We are looking for Spurs fans as writers. Interested? Contact us here for info*

Instead, a second-string team concedes a pair of goals, both the result of poor defending, and we lose a derby game that presented a huge opportunity to really kick-start our season. Lose to Moneybags City on Sat – as no team should feel ashamed to do – and we're back to consecutive defeats, and the hype, the buzz, the raw lung-bursting passion I heard ringing around the entire ground Wednesday night could fade once more. This could have a more detrimental effect in the weeks to come than Jan Vertonghen or Lloris having slightly tired legs.

I will back my team, and that includes the manager. But to treat a North-London Derby with such obvious disregard will remain a large black mark against Pochettino for me; and represents an opportunity truly missed.

© e-Media Group 2015 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of @e_media_group

Share on Google Plus