Tottenham vs. Brighton: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Cup Game
Tottenham Hotspur host Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday.
Brighton's 10-match winless run in the Championships puts Tottenham's own two-game losing skid into perspective. Beating Premier League opponents in the midst of it might seem like a big ask, but the Seagulls could relish the break from their own league troubles.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is likely to make a number of changes but will be just as keen for his team to get a win ahead of Sunday's trip to Aston Villa, not to mention get a step closer to a possible piece of silverware.
Over the following pages, the key issues and decisions that will shape the midweek League Cup clash are examined.
Kane Seeks to Force Pochettino's Hand
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Harry Kane's hat-trick against Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League last week was not enough to force him into his head coach's Premier League starting XI, though he did get 28 minutes off the bench in the loss to Newcastle United.
Unable to get Tottenham back into that game, Kane is likely to be fielded from the start against Brighton. His goal in the previous round vs. Nottingham Forest is one of seven to his name so far in 2014-15, the other six coming in the Europa League.
Even considering for some of the less-challenging sides sprinkled among Spurs' cup opponents, it is a good return for the 21-year-old. He leads the scoring charts for his team and has displayed an impressive range in his finishing.
In league games, Spurs have occasionally sparkled in attack—against Southampton, for periods versus Manchester City and Newcastle United—but have only scored 11 goals.
In the striker department, some sympathy can be afforded to Roberto Soldado who has not had a run of games. But then, he has not forced the issue in his cup appearances like Kane has.
With Emmanuel Adebayor battling for consistency himself, another positive performance from Kane on Wednesday might just convince Pochettino it is his time.
Vorm Looks to Impress with Europa League Chance Forthcoming
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Michel Vorm has been restricted to just 90 minutes of football—against Forest in the Capital One Cup third round—since joining Tottenham this past summer. Despite the lack of action, the goalkeeper has retained a positive attitude.
"I've just played the one game so far and Hugo [Lloris] is doing amazingly, and we're working well together," the Dutchman told Spurs' official website earlier this month.
"I'm 30 years old now, almost 31, but I still like to learn and I still want to be a better goalkeeper. I definitely feel I'm always improving."
With a second start at home to Brighton likely, Vorm will be keen to show he is not stagnating sitting on the bench.
Lloris has somewhat surprisingly been preferred in the Europa League up until now, but following his sending off in the Asteras Tripolis win, Vorm will be required for the return trip to Greece.
Starting with Brighton, he has a chance to prove he should at least be the main man for Spurs' cup games. The Frenchman is first choice for the Premier League, but Vorm would surely appreciate a greater opportunity to keep him on his toes.
Who Else Will Feature out of Tottenham's Fringe Men?
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Kane and Vorm are not the only ones who will be keen to make their mark. Also set to feature are a number of men who have been in and out of matchday squads over the course of the season.
These fringe players have been allotted varying amounts of time as the deputies to the predominant first-choice starting XI—coming in for these cup games, as well as taking turns filling spots on the bench.
After two consecutive league losses, those who start in the Capital One Cup have a notable chance to convince their head coach why they should be playing ahead of others, in the same way Nacer Chadli and Ryan Mason have done over the course of the campaign.
Benjamin Stambouli and Mousa Dembele will hope to do enough to break into the midfield alongside the in-form Mason. Paulinho—who Pochettino told ESPN Brasil, via Sky Sports, would not be leaving on loan—could be involved in some midfield permutation too.
If Kane and Soldado are utilised up front, it could mean one space between Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend. The former got on against Newcastle having mostly been behind his younger team-mate in recent weeks.
Ben Davies is a certainty at left-back. Pochettino's centre-back options are less certain given the way he has switched things up there. Vlad Chiriches and Federico Fazio would seem the logical starters; the Romanian especially could do with a run-out having not played last week's Europa League game.
Can Hyypia's Team Help Him off the Hot Seat?
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Brighton's aforementioned poor record has led to talk about manager Sami Hyypia's job, though the Finn told BBC Sport there has been no discussion with the club's hierarchy.
"Nobody has said anything else to me and we haven't talked about the situation a lot," Hyypia said after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Rotheram United. "I think it is an unnecessary conversation."
Goalkeeper David Stockdale was keen to back his boss, too, telling the same website: "We believe in the manager and what he does. I'm sure we'll come through it."
An improved defensive performance will definitely be required against Spurs.
Rotheram's Alex Revell was too easily allowed through by the Seagulls defence when he scored the equaliser on the weekend. Granted that much space, the likes of Kane and Soldado could have a field day.
Still, with minimal expectations to win at White Hart Lane, the lack of pressure could work in freeing up Brighton. Hyypia would certainly appreciate his team recording a result that gets him off the hot seat for the next week or two.
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