Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino dismisses domestic cup competitions as he calls on his stars to focus on Premier League: 'Wigan won the FA Cup... where is Wigan now?'
- Tottenham face Barnsley in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday
- However, manager Mauricio Pochettino thinks club should be aiming higher
- Argentine has called on his team to focus on top flight and Champions League
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino insists the club should be aiming for the biggest prizes in the Premier League and Champions League rather than settling for success in the domestic cup competitions.
Tottenham launch their Carabao Cup campaign at home to Barnsley on Tuesday evening. For all Tottenham's vast progress under Pochettino, the club are still to lift a trophy since winning the competition with Juande Ramos as manager in 2008.
Pochettino accepts a cup win would lift the fans but insists the pressure is on Spurs to aim even higher.
Mauricio Pochettino has urged his Tottenham players to aim higher than the Carabao Cup
Pochettino said: 'The pressure is to win the Premier League or Champions League. They are the two big trophies. I'd love to win a cup for our fans but Tottenham must build a project for the Premier League and Champions League.
'If we forget those two, it's a big mistake. For a big team to win trophies, it means the Premier League or Champions League. Wigan won the FA Cup. Where is Wigan now? League One. That is the most important example.'
Tottenham will make changes to their team against Barnsley, with Spanish forward Fernando Llorente set for a first start since signing from Swansea at the end of the transfer window.
Georges-Kevin N'Koudou and Harry Winks are also set to return after spells out with injury.
Pochettino also intends to hand a debut to Tashan Oakley-Boothe. The 17-year-old midfielder featured several times on Spurs' pre-season tour and was also named on the bench.
Harry Winks is due to come back into the side for their cup clash against Barnsley on Tuesday
Young playmaker Marcus Edwards, who Pochettino has previously likened to a young Lionel Messi, will not be involved though.
Edwards has recently impressed for Tottenham's youth sides against Manchester United and in the UEFA Youth League as Tottenham's Under 19s defeated Borussia Dortmund 4-0 last week.
Pochettino insists he is not yet ready for a first-team return after featuring for 15 minutes in a 5-0 win over Gillingham last September: 'Last season was difficult for him (Marcus). He was injured and had an operation. It was tough for him and he dropped a little bit. Now he's feeling his confidence again.
'He played well against United and in the Youth League. He needs to build more his physical condition and it's better in the Under-23 team. It's a situation we have under control. We are looking after him.'
Pochettino also intends to hand a debut to 17-year-old Tashan Oakley-Boothe
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