Tottenham warned Carabao Cup final meaningless unless Mourinho beats Guardiola
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Tottenham have been warned their run to the Carabao Cup final will count for NOTHING unless they win it.
Former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov reckons nobody remembers the losers on cup final day.
But Berbatov, who helped Tottenham win their last trophy way back in 2008, reckons victory at Wembley could lead to even greater success.
The Bulgaria great scored in the final against Chelsea 13 years ago and has been sad to see his former club fail to win anything since.
But he reckons Jose Mourinho can use their April date with Manchester City as a springboard to more silverware.
Berbatov, now a Betfair Ambassador, said: “Spurs haven't won anything since I was there, and now this is a big test to challenge and see where they are at.
“When that whistle blows it doesn't matter how they perform, they just have to win.
“It will be a big boost for the team's winning mentality and I doubt they'd have to wait another 13 years to lift another trophy. Spurs are clearly going places.
“It's great to see Spurs in a final, and I bet everyone is happy.
“But I see teams celebrating reaching the final like they won it, even though there is still one final step to take before you lift the trophy.
“Nobody remembers who finished runners up. Spurs need to be calm and concentrated, they are in a final, but that is a couple of months away.
“Mourinho has been here many times, he knows what it takes to prepare his team for a final. Mourinho against Guardiola is going to be great TV.
“I hope it can be the moment when Spurs turn the corner and start winning trophies. We all know why Mourinho was brought in at Spurs and we all know his record.
“He's gunning for a trophy, it doesn't matter what kind or how they win it, so the League Cup is a massive opportunity for him.”
Berbatov, who also won the Premier League twice with Manchester United, also warned Spurs not to under-estimate minnows Marine this weekend.
He said: “This weekend it's the FA Cup third round, a stage of the competition that's famous for upset.
“Sometimes, if the big teams don't take this competition seriously then it can cause problems.
“If you put a weak team out, the opposition can be boosted and try everything to get through to the next round.
“Spurs travel to Merseyside to take on Marine. I can't see an upset in this one, but Mourinho's players need to concentrate and just get the job done.
“It's so important that the Spurs players don't underestimate anyone. If Spurs go there thinking that Marine will beat themselves then they will have a problem.”
- Tottenham Hotspur FC
- Manchester City FC
- Premier League
- League Cup
- Pep Guardiola
- Jose Mourinho
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