FA Cup provides new lease on life for Tottenham

The FA Cup this season represents so much more for Jose Mourinho and his Tottenham side, who are seeking desperately for a silver lining in a season mired in adversity. 

Mourinho again stated how badly he wants to win a trophy this season. And if we’re honest with each ourselves, the FA Cup offers the last avenue to do so. Some will say Spurs are lucky to be a part of the fifth round, as the north London side has scratched and clawed their way through the previous two rounds, winning both on replays.

If you dig a little deeper, Tottenham, other than an impressive 2-0 at home over Manchester City on Feb. 2, haven’t compelled or truly deserved to win since their 5-0 thrashing of Burnley on Dec. 7.

That’s not to say they haven’t shown resilience and character, both of which were on abundant display in their next fixture, a dogged 2-1 away to Wolves on Dec. 15. With a string of poor performances since, Tottenham are surely overdue for a wondrous outing, one that reminds us of better days not so long ago.

Mourinho’s men will have to conjure up at least two spectacular outings to have any chance of winning this year’s version of the FA Cup. Sure, they might be able to sneak past Norwich with a flawed, unconvincing performance, but mediocrity will no longer suffice thereafter.

While Tottenham’s injury troubles won’t magically disappear for their FA Cup run, hopefully we’ll see a change of spirit, a resurgence of sort. Mourinho is renowned for his ability to win the FA Cup, so maybe, just maybe, Spurs will prove wrong the countless naysayers and unexpectedly, against most odds, win the FA Cup.

Based on historical context, and Mourinho’s propensity to perplex, surprise and frustrate all at once, it would be a fitting end to an otherwise sullen and gloomy campaign.