“An excuse for players to go somewhere else” – Redknapp on what Spurs must change

Tottenham Hotspur’s eleven year wait for silverware looked set to continue for another season when they were knocked out of both domestic cup competitions within the space of four days.

The disappointment of a penalty shoot-out defeat to rivals Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final was followed by a toothless performance in the FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace.

Tottenham’s only hopes of lifting a trophy this season are reliant on either winning the Premier League or Champions League.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp admits that while Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham Hotspur are a good fit for one another, it is imperative that a club of their caliber win trophies.

Redknapp had a stint with Spurs during his playing career and believes that the longer the trophy cabinet drought continues, it gives players the excuse to leave North London to go and win major honours elsewhere.

Tottenham’s last trophy came in 2008, following an extra-time win against Chelsea in the League Cup.

He told Sky Sports: “It fits, not just for the manager, but for the owner. If you’ve got an owner who is not keen on spending the big wages, and a manager keen on bringing young players into the equation… Some managers will say: ‘I need players, numbers around me to thicken up the squad.’

“It doesn’t always work, but because you’ve got a manager who they trust and love so much, it shows you what you can achieve. He’s of the opinion: ‘Unless they’re better than what I’ve got, why sign them?’

“It’s important for this club to be winning trophies. Every year that goes by it feels like a wasted opportunity and an excuse for players to go somewhere else.”

Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Have something to tell us about this article? Let us know