As an American Tottenham Hotspur supporter, who was not yet married to the club in 2007/08, I have never seen the League Cup as more than a nuisance. Sure, the two finals (and even two semifinals) losses over the past decade were annoying, but in general I would rather focus attention on any random Premier League fixture than a cup tie.
However, Wednesday feels like an important moment for Ange “I always win things in my second year” Postecoglou. This season has not started well — four points through four weeks — and it is not as if last season ended super well either. Though Postecoglou tanked the Second Round tie last year against Fulham, he may have no choice but to give it an honest go against Coventry City on Wednesday if he is going to stand behind his claim.
Third Round: Coventry City vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Date: Wednesday, September 18
Time: 3:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm UK
Location: Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry
TV: Paramount+ (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)
Luckily for Postecoglou, Spurs have drawn a Championship side for their first League Cup contest. Coventry has won just one in five in the league, though did beat fellow second-tier mates Bristol City and Oxford United to progress in this competition. Tottenham has fallen to lower sides before, but there is a sizable gap in quality between these opponents.
Since Coventry left the top flight, the clubs have met three times this century in cup competitions, all early on in their respective tournament. Tottenham won all three by a combined 8-0, so hopefully that trend continues, even if it has been 11 years since the teams have shared the pitch.
Showing one’s hand
With all due respect to the hosts, the most interesting part of this match will happen off the pitch. How Postecoglou chooses his lineup will say a ton about how he views this competition, his side’s trajectory, and the form of many of his regulars. His post-match comments Sunday clearly indicate he is still feeling very confident, but actions speak much louder than words.
It is not my goal to predict lineups here, but my personal preference would be to rotate the essentials without playing a complete second XI. Players like the entire back four, Heung-Min Son, and former Coventry youth product James Maddison need the rest, but otherwise select some first-choice attackers and show some desire. Postecoglou’s honeymoon period is on the way out, and dropping this one would do him no favors.
Opponent invariant
The second-most interesting part of Wednesday evening’s clash also has less to due with Coventry and more how the Spurs attack looks. Regardless of who actually sees the pitch, Tottenham is going to enjoy a ton of possession — if this is true against top teams in the Premier League, it will certainly be the case against inferior sides. Turning that possession into something meaningful, though, remains elusive.
It sounds overly simple, but to me it all comes down to positioning in movement. Spurs are so stale with the ball in the final third, with no one making runs or getting into dangerous areas. It seems like all the best chances come off counters or situations when players are charging down the flanks; once the low block is set up, it is game over. Coventry should provide 90 minutes of practice for this underperforming Tottenham attack, and more struggles midweek will only serve to exacerbate this issue.