The Carabao Cup always presents a unique puzzle for managers of Premier League clubs. On one hand, it’s a fantastic chance to win a trophy and bring silverware to the fans.
On the other hand, the busy schedule means you have to think carefully about your team selection, especially when you’re facing a team from a lower division.
For Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank, this is the exact situation he finds himself in as his team prepares to host Doncaster Rovers.
The key is to find the right balance between fielding a team strong enough to win the game and giving some of his key players a well-deserved rest.
This match comes after a very busy and successful period for Spurs. They have just played three games in a week, managing to win two and draw one without losing.
Several players were involved in all of those matches, and with another important Premier League game against Wolves coming up this weekend, it’s clear that changes are necessary.
Frank himself has already confirmed that goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky will get his chance to start in goal.
This is a common move in cup games, giving the second-choice keeper valuable playing time. The team will also be without a couple of players due to injury, like Randal Kolo Muani and Ben Davies.
There is some good news on the injury front, though. Striker Dominic Solanke, who was previously ruled out, has returned to training.
Another new signing, Kota Takai, who hasn’t featured yet due to a foot problem, is also back with the squad. This means one of them could be a surprise name on the bench, which would be a boost for the team’s options.
There’s also a decision to be made about defender Radu Dragusin, who is finally back in training after a long-term injury. Frank will have to decide if this game comes too soon for him or if he’s ready for a few minutes.
Because of the need to rest players and the current injuries, we are likely to see a very different Tottenham lineup compared to the one that played in the league last weekend.
It’s expected that as many as eight changes could be made to the starting eleven. This is a great opportunity for players who have been waiting for their chance to shine.
We will probably see starts for exciting winger Xavi Simons, full-back Djed Spence, and midfielder Pape Matar Sarr. Attackers Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel are also likely to come into the team to add fresh energy to the front line.
One of the bigger questions is who will play in the center of defense. With the need to rest the usual starters, Cristian Romero might play alongside new signing Kevin Danso, perhaps with an agreement that each only plays 45 minutes to share the load.
Another, more surprising, option could be to play young Archie Gray in that position. This game is also a perfect chance to include some of the club’s most promising young talents.
Two sixteen-year-olds, Jun’ai Byfield and Luca Williams-Barnett, have been training with the first team and were left out of the youth team’s last match, which suggests they might be involved in the squad against Doncaster.
Putting all this together, the team Thomas Frank sends out is likely to look quite familiar in its shape but very different in its personnel.
We can expect a formation with four defenders, three midfielders, and three attackers. The predicted lineup could see Kinsky in goal; a defense of Spence, Romero, Danso, and Udogie; a midfield trio of Sarr, Gray, and Simons; and an attacking line of Johnson, Tel, and Odobert.
This team has a great mix of experienced players, new signings eager to impress, and young talent. While it’s a changed side, it should still have more than enough quality to overcome a determined Doncaster Rovers team and progress to the next round of the competition.
