Thursday, February 16, 2017

Tottenham Hotspur opinion: Pochettino needs to recognise cup competitions are special to fans

Tottenham Hotspur FC new

Spurs __have had some glorious triumphs in cup competitions and supporters would love to enjoy a few more during Mauricio Pochettino's rein, as Sean Cook (@TalkingTHFC) writes...

We're in an era now where the glitz and glamour of the Premier League is at an all-time high. 

With prize money almost too good to be true, and with the potential to play Champions League football the following season, it's clear why top clubs are prioritising English football's elite competition.

Tottenham collected a staggering £95,222,320 in prize money last term, with their 21 TV appearances topping up the £22,363,290 fee for finishing third. 

It's fair to say Spurs __have been in a position to compete for the league this season. Despite Chelsea threatening to run away with the title, Mauricio Pochettino's side are among six sides who remain in the mix – according to some observers – to take Leicester's crown. 

The defeat to Liverpool, however, sounded serious alarm bells for the club. The title has realistically gone, and top four now is the priority. 

If the loss wasn't painful enough, the record it continued was even more of a damaging blow. Pochettino has won just one away game against the top six during his three seasons at White Hart Lane. 

To be taken seriously as title contenders, that is simply not good enough.

With no away games remaining against the top six this season, where can Spurs begin to repair their reputation among the elite?

The answer lies in two competitions fans of the north London club hold dear. 

In the all-time record list for FA Cup wins, Tottenham Hotspur sit third with eight triumphs. After all, some of our fondest memories of the club come from games in this historic competition. 

'That' David Ginola goal against Barnsley in 1999, the Gazza free-kick against Arsenal in 1991, and of course Ricky Villa's goal against Man City in 1981; perhaps the greatest the competition has ever seen.

But why was the last FA Cup success a staggering 26 years ago? 

The answer? The Premier League. 

The years following the win against Forest at Wembley happen to coincide with the launch of what was originally the FA Premier League, thus diverting Spurs' attention to other goals.

While the Premier League was detracting from the FA Cup's appeal, at the same time on the continental stage UEFA's Champions League – revamped from the old European Cup – had a similar tarnishing effect on Europe's secondary competition.

As a result, the Europa League – formerly the UEFA Cup – came to be held in a dismissive regard by the White Hart Lane faithful. 

Tottenham have claimed the prize twice, and the 1984 win over Anderlecht is one of the greatest nights in the club's history.

With fixtures against Gent and Fulham up next, it would be difficult to write Spurs off in each of the competitions.

Mauricio Pochettino needs to acknowledge that, to be taken seriously as a top club, they must start winning trophies. This group of players are particularly desperate for silverware. 

Don't get me wrong, top four is without a doubt our priority. To have come so close in the title race and to finish below fourth would be a serious problem. 

Without silverware, without Champions League and without a strong record against other top clubs, Spurs could be in for a battle to keep players this summer. 

The fans would love nothing more than to win trophies with the Argentine, and now is the time to do it. 

Bring back those glory glory nights, Mauricio. We're desperate.