Tottenham’s FA Cup game against Middlesbrough started Jose Mourinho’s quest for a domestic trophy at his new club, and it’s clear from the line-up he’s desperate to win Spurs’ first piece of silverware since the League Cup in 2008. The likes of Heung-min Son, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen all started, and fans were split about the manager’s approach.
[freshpress-poll id=”270748″]
In January last year, after their second cup defeat in four days, Mauricio Pochettino said that winning trophies only “builds egos” and the club should focus on getting top four. Spurs have reached the semi-finals twice in the last four years but haven’t won the competition since 1991.
The club’s official Twitter account posted the news of the starting line-up on Twitter, which didn’t include any player who had made less than five Premier League appearances this season. Some replied to show they were pleased at how seriously Mourinho was taking the cup, but others weren’t happy with the lack of youngsters involved.
#THFC: Gazzaniga, Aurier, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen (C), Sessegnon, Winks, Eriksen, Lucas, Dele, Son.
📲 @WilliamHill latest (18+)https://t.co/1qzzT9O0FA #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/GGNB3L7mkB
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) 5 January 2020
Some of them were pleased with the strength of the starting 11:
Don’t think as club we’re in the postion to be giving youngsters game time, need to actually attempt to win a trophy
— Sam Myford (@SamMyford1) 5 January 2020
Strong team! Glad. FA Cup matters. #COYS 👊🏼
— Kas ⚽️ (@kdunks83) 5 January 2020
What is wrong with people? We need a strong team for this match.Why rest players when our next match is at the weekend
— Juliet Lubega (@ucragirl) 5 January 2020
Although some would have preferred to see a more inexperienced side:
He’s gone strong here, would of liked to see Skipp, Lo Celso and 🦜 but COYS!
— Marc Arnott (@Marc_Arns10) 5 January 2020
No Parrott no party
— Mayank (@mayank_spurs) 5 January 2020
Lads were not playing liverpool today
— Liam O’ 🇮🇪 (@TanguyNdembele) 5 January 2020
Weirdly strong, would’ve liked to see more youth in the team but COYS💙
— James (@MourasAjaxMagic) 5 January 2020
Tottenham fans, who would you like to have seen start against Middlesborough on Sunday?
