Carabao Cup preview: Who should Tottenham start against Fulham?

Tottenham is set to face Fulham tomorrow in the second round of the Carabao Cup, and don’t expect this version of Spurs to take it lightly. 

From our first three outings this campaign, onlookers can safely conclude one thing: Ange ball works.

Our dominance in possession against Brentford and clean sheets against Manchester United and Bournemouth have filled supporters with excitement and hope.

However, it’s still hard to predict exactly how the team will fare moving forward.

Last season’s early success, followed by a disappointing eighth-place finish, is a prime example of the unpredictability accompanying a season-spanning 10 months, especially under new management.

Supporters are aware of how imperative it is that Spurs continue to develop the squad around these new tactics to solidify further what was built during the preseason and hopefully give the team a chance at long-term success.

However, Ange has a tough decision to make in west London on Tuesday.

While opinions on starting your best players in the early stages of domestic cups are often controversial, most elite clubs tend to err on the side of caution, giving their top players limited minutes.

Given the current situation for Spurs, in which specific areas (e.g., the number 9) are limited because of a lack of squad depth, it could be a risk pushing first-team players. Tottenham played on Saturday and has another two matches in five days, making it three in a week.

While there will always be the risk of injury when pushing players to perform at the highest caliber multiple times a week, Ange needs to balance the ambition of winning a cup with the unrelenting pressure of performing at an elite level in the league.

Postecoglou needs to find a way to continue competing at the highest level in the Carabao and FA Cups, not only to give the team more time to adjust to his tactics but to work towards a long-awaited piece of silverware.

So far, the new skipper’s decision-making has been calculated, sound, and unerring, and supporters have ample reason to believe he’ll unerringly make the right calls.

Nevertheless, he still has to decide what starting 11 to go with against Fulham.

Ange will probably start a mix of his preferred starting 11 and a handful of players in desperate need of more match time, like Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic, Emerson Royal, Davinson Sanchez, Pierre Hojbjerg, Giovani Lo Celso, and Ben Davies.