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Thomas Frank is set to field a strong Tottenham XI in the Carabao Cup clash against Doncaster Rovers, although the manager has hinted that some youngsters may be given a place on the bench.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Carabao Cup campaign gets underway this Wednesday, with League One side Doncaster Rovers travelling to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It will be a tie Thomas Frank knows his side must approach with the right mentality, as the new Spurs boss looks to lay down a marker in the competition.
With Tottenham aiming to compete on multiple fronts this season, the Carabao Cup presents another opportunity to keep silverware hopes alive, particularly after their Europa League success last term.
Thomas Frank wants a strong Tottenham team against Doncaster Rovers
Frank has yet to claim a major trophy in his managerial career, and he knows full well that going deep into this competition would provide a real chance to finally deliver silverware.
The Tottenham boss has now stressed that Spurs will not be taking Doncaster lightly and admitted there will be some rotation, but the priority remains victory.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Frank told the club’s official channel: “We are really looking forward to it. We will do everything we can to win it. Naturally there will be a little bit of rotation.
‘They have Grant McCann who I know very well. I faced him in the Championship. We need to play at our highest level and get into the next round.”
When asked about Tottenham’s approach to the Carabao Cup this season, Frank was very clear about his intentions: “We need to take one game at a time. It is about winning the next one. There is no reason to speak about what may happen in the future.”
He also reflected on lessons from past cup campaigns, pointing to how unpredictable knockout football can be: “It definitely taught me everything is possible. We went in very focused and very aware of what could happen. Gillingham, we put a very strong team out there.
“Football, anything can happen. It is a low-scoring game. Doncaster are doing well in League One. We need to be on it.”
Spurs boss Thomas Frank hints at bench places for youngsters
Frank also recognises that squad depth will play a crucial role across the season, and while he insists his starting line-ups will always be strong, he admitted there may be room for young players to feature from the bench.
Explaining his approach to cup competitions, Frank said: “It is a balance. I would like us to compete in all four tournaments across the year. If you are going to do that, you need to pick the right team all the time.
“I think every time we put a team out there it is super strong. We need to hit that perfect number of players that rotate and a strong team. It will be a strong team tomorrow.”
He also revealed that opportunities could arise for academy talents who have impressed in youth football: “I think it will be a great opportunity to have some of the young ones on the bench.
“It is a privilege to be able to give someone a debut. Obviously, they have to show it in U18s, U21s, national team and with us to get the opportunity.”
Tottenham fans have been calling for several youngsters to be given a chance in the Carabao Cup all week, and this would be music to the ears of those fans.
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