Free midweeks are a thing of the past for Thomas Frank, who must deal with a considerably tougher schedule compared to when he was impressing on the sidelines for Brentford.
The first month of the new season is always a slow-burner, but the fixtures have started to arrive thick and fast after the September international break.
While many were complimentary of the talent the club brought in over the summer, some suggested that not enough personnel were added to ensure Frank can compete on multiple fronts during his first season at the helm. Before he left his role as executive chairman earlier this month, Daniel Levy said it was our inability to challenge across all competitions that led to Ange Postecoglou being let go, despite guiding the club to its first major trophy in 17 years.
Thus, squad rotation is going to be absolutely imperative for Frank in Year 1, and he's got a chance to offer some of his cornerstones respite in midweek as we take on League One side Doncaster in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Here are four players who must be rested on Wednesday night.
1. Pedro Porro
The Spanish right-back was a mainstay during our run to Europa League glory last term, and Porro has started all six games of Frank's tenure so far.
The manager values Porro's influence in the build-up and capacity to create from deeper zones, with the alternative, Djed Spence, supplying superior ball-carrying but distinctly inferior distribution. Spence may well get the nod on Wednesday after his absence from the starting XI at the weekend, but it'll be the first time we've seen the England international start on the right side of defence this term.
Porro was barely given a breather at the Amex, but generally dealt with the one-on-one threat of dribbling scholar Kaoru Mitoma well, amid an excellent start to the season. He's one of the very few who's avoided a major injury setback over the past couple of years, which is pretty impressive given how much he's been relied upon.
He's earned himself a midweek rest.
2. Cristian Romero & Micky van de Ven
The collapse of Ange largely boiled down to the injuries sustained to Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven under his stewardship. However, it was the former manager's all-or-nothing ideals that doubtless contributed to their fitness woes.
While Frank's man-to-man press often demands plenty of his two centre-backs, they've been thrust into far fewer emergency defensive sequences that require sprints. Overall, the injury outlook is much rosier for these two, and the boss desperately needs both available for much of his debut season.
While Kevin Danso is an able deputy and Ben Davies will be reliable until he claims his pension, there are a few more unknowns deeper in the Spurs centre-back depth chart. Radu Drăgușin suffered a long-term knee injury in January, while summer addition Kota Takai is yet to play because of a foot injury.
We may have left ourselves short at the position, so Frank can afford to take no risks with his excellent starting duo. Wrap them up in cotton wool until Saturday night.
3. Mohammed Kudus
Only Romero (450) has played more Premier League minutes than Mohammed Kudus (439) among Spurs' outfielders at the start of 2025/26. The Ghanaian also played the entirety of our Champions League victory over Villarreal.
He's been excellent at the start of his Spurs career, ubiquitously performing down the right and often manifesting as the sole creative presence in a team that has been reliant on stellar off-ball work and set-pieces.
Xavi Simons' integration will help diversify the attack and reduce the burden on Kudus, and we saw a glimpse of just how good the Dutchman is during his cameo off the bench at Brighton on Saturday. Kudus was impressive again, recording two assists, and he's another who'll surely sit out in midweek. Frank has so far been reluctant to trust the alternatives, but we could see Brennan Johnson start down the right against the League One outfit.
4. Richarlison
Many supporters are hesitant to label Richarlison as 'the man'. While we can appreciate his nose for goal and character, the Brazilian simply isn't reliable enough physically or technically to be the undisputed starter.
However, for now, he's an important piece. Dominic Solanke isn't yet ready to return from an ankle injury, but the English forward will be back before the October break. Moreover, Randal Kolo Muani has endured a slow start to his loan spell, appearing just once off the bench and missing Saturday's draw because of a 'dead leg'.
If Kolo Muani isn't able to shake off his knock in time for this cup tie, Frank will likely turn to Mathys Tel up top, because I don't see him using Richarlison again, given that he's started five of Spurs' six outings this term.