Thu 03 January 2019, 16:00
Tottenham HotspurAs we prepare to step into FA Cup action for the first time this season, Mauricio Pochettino has described the competition as ‘magic’.
The manager and players certainly had a taste of that magic last season when we faced League One teams AFC Wimbledon and Rochdale and Newport of League Two. We were taken to replays by both Newport and Rochdale before progressing to the semi-finals, where we lost out to Manchester United.
We kick-off our 2019 campaign with another of those romantic FA Cup ties at League Two Tranmere Rovers in the third round on Friday night (7.45pm).
Wirral-based Rovers are play-off contenders and currently ninth in League Two. They’ve had to come through replays in the first (Oxford City) and second (Southport) rounds to reach this stage.
Anything can happen... That is why people say it’s magic and after six years in England, I understand why
Mauricio said: “Anything can happen and that’s why we know very well that it’s going to be a tough game against Tranmere.
“Last season against Newport and Rochdale, we needed replays at Wembley and those games were so tough. That happens in this competition, the FA Cup. That is why people say it’s magic and after six years in England, I understand why.
“We need to be competitive, thinking that we came from a very tough period too and we need to try to pick the best starting 11 to be fresh and compete at our best.
“We are going to give rest to some players who need to rest, that’s the plan, because to play four games in 10 days is so difficult and we need to manage some players who have played a lot. This is a game to be right in how we’re going to mix the players to keep our level and perform in the way we want.”
