Tottenham fans in the Transfer Tavern took a blow to their pride last night after West Ham overturned a 2 goal deficit to reach the quarter finals of the Caraboa Cup.

The Caraboa cup represented Tottenham’s best opportunity to add some silverware to their trophy cabinet during this campaign, and they will be bitterly disappointed to crash out of the competition after leading 2 nil at the interval. Back to back wins at home in the Premier League against Bournemouth and Liverpool had the Spurs fans believing they had put their Wembley hoodoo to rest, but their second-half performance suggests Pochettino’s side still need to adapt to their temporary surroundings. One does get the feeling that Spurs would never have lost this game under the lights at White Hart Lane.

The Spurs contingent on the bar here are hoping that the complacency their side demonstrated in the second half will be firmly stamped out by Pochettino on the training ground, as they prepare to face Manchester United in a mouth-watering fixture at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has completed some fantastic business for the club over the years and has established a reputation as a negotiator who ensures every transfer deal is made in the best financial interests of the club.

With the season well underway, Levy will now be working with Pochettino to identify the areas in which the squad could benefit from improvement in January to ensure the club will challenge for silverware.

In both the past two seasons, Tottenham came agonisngly close to claiming the top prize in English football and everyone involved with the club will be desperate to make it third time lucky this round.

The Tottenham hierarchy should be targeting these three players in January to boost their title bid.

Riyad Mahrez

For any avid follower of the Premier League, Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez requires little introduction.

Mahrez was an inspiration throughout Leicester’s remarkable title-winning 2015/2016 season where he racked up 17 goals and 10 assists from 37 appearances.

He is truly a devastating prospect when he is on top form.

The Algerian winger possesses a natural gift to dance through defences at will with astute balance, agility and pace which make him almost impossible to defend against.

With the likes of Kane, Eriksen and Son around him, he would undoubtedly excel in a Tottenham shirt.

If Tottenham are to land Mahrez, they would be signing a proven Premier League talent, with the mentally to stay strong and produce his best performances when the stakes are high at the business end of the season.

Faouzi Ghoulam

Although the majority of the Tottenham hierarchy and fan base would be gutted to see the back of Danny Rose in January, they may need to prepare for that eventuality by looking across Europe for replacements.

With only Ben Davies the only other recognised left-back in the first-team squad, a replacement for Rose would be a necessity in January.

Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam who enters the final 6 months of his contract in January, would be a pragmatic signing in the event that Rose leaves the club.

With Napoli conscious of losing him for free in the summer, they may be willing to consider a price well below his true value and enable Tottenham to replace Rose with an attractive surplus leftover for further investments.

Justin Kluivert

The Ajax academy has a prestigious history of producing some of the finest talents in Europe.

Tottenham stars Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen both learnt their trade playing in the Dutch giants’ academy and have gone on to enjoy excellent careers in the Premier League.

Right-winger Justin Kluivert, son of Dutch legend Patrick, is one of the latest talents to emerge from the academy this year.

At just 18-years old Kluivert has already been introduced to the first-team in the Dutch capital, and considering his family background, he looks destined to set Europe alight in the future.

Tottenham should be monitoring this hot-prospect before Europe’s heavyweights make an offer Ajax cannot refuse.