Tottenham fans are calling for squad rotation in the Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool amid the club’s Premier League struggles and ongoing fitness concerns.
Tottenham Hotspur will turn their attention to the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night after their struggles in the Premier League this season.
The Lilywhites remain without a win in the English top flight and are yet to score a goal, but their fortunes in the Carabao Cup are very different.
Last time out in the competition, Spurs secured a 5-0 win over Championship side Charlton Athletic, a result that booked their place in round three against Premier League opposition Liverpool.
Tottenham supporters respond to Roberto De Zerbi’s rotation plans
Ahead of Tuesday’s clash, Roberto De Zerbi has hinted he will “play with all other players” against Liverpool.
He said: “I do not know. Now we play on Tuesday in Liverpool, and we play with all other players, but it will be a very important match for us. We can improve playing in the games, we can improve during the week. I think Rodrigo Bentancur, he came late after the World Cup, and he is crucial for us. And I did not want to change him today, but I thought maybe he finished his energy in that moment of the game.
“Sandro Tonali, for example, played better in the second half. Robertson, JP van Hecke, they stayed directly for the first period of the pre-season. Micky van de Ven suffered an injury in Australia. Domi Solanke, the same. Maddison, the same. Savio and Marmoush, they came 10 days ago. Mateus Fernandes suffered an injury in Australia. He lost 15 days, and it is not so quick.”
These comments have now reached Tottenham fans, who have not wasted any time in sharing their reactions. Many supporters seem to agree with the manager’s stance, while others were left baffled by the thought of him rotating.
The Tottenham fans commented:
- “How are players like Senesi, Bergvall etc going to get any game time if they do not play games? Keep the spine and add in a few of the players who have hardly played… that is the right call.”
- “Yes, let us risk some of our first eleven getting injured when we are still looking for our first league win.”
- “Last time I checked De Zerbi was the Tottenham manager. Other players need an opportunity to get fit and minutes. Senesi for one. Chill your beans.”
- “That is great news, but after the average performance against Everton it is unlikely that they will come away with a win.”
- “I think it is because we are managing so many fitness issues in the squad and the huge spotlight that has been put on our club around injuries. We will definitely rotate and some players are still a long way away from 90 minutes.”
- “Use these games to get Kudus and Madders fit, Kulu when he is ready to start coming on, use LWB and play Gray in his normal position and if we go out so what. We cannot have another season where we finish anywhere near relegation and think we will go far in the cups.. 2/2.”
- “We should play an even stronger side than we did against Everton. Play exactly the same line-up but start Udogie and Porro.
- If we lose on Tuesday, one game a week until January and a lot of unhappy Tottenham players. If we win and get an easier draw next round, then play Dubra, Sinesi, Lucas etc.”
- “Nothing to do with throwing cups, our full strength would not lay a glove on Pool.”
- “Tosin and Senesi need games at some point. Kudus could start, Tel is our only LW option (RDZ wants right footers LW). Bergvall with a new deal needs minutes. Fernandes, Bentancur and Solanke are not 100 percent fit. Why not give players a chance to show they should start in the league?”
Spurs must strike the right balance in the Carabao Cup
It is obviously a team sport, and De Zerbi needs to get the balance of team selection right as he manages the fitness of his players.
There are still injured players returning who need minutes in their legs as they build up match fitness. Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison are two who are yet to start, and Tuesday could well offer that opportunity.
The full-back position is also not at full strength with Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie not fit, which naturally forces the manager’s hand. Regardless, Tottenham will need to compete no matter the squad put out.
- READ MORE: Every Tottenham Carabao Cup third round result in the past decade, including one shock defeat