Tottenham Hotspur progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers. The match provided opportunities for squad players and youngsters to gain valuable experience. However, the game also highlighted some potential concerns for Spurs squad depth. A debut was handed out to a promising academy player Luca Williams-Barnett.
Tottenham Hotspur debut for academy star Luca Williams-Barnett
Tottenham Hotspur fans had been eager to see academy star Luca Williams-Barnett feature against Doncaster Rovers. The sixteen-year-old got his chance, coming off the bench for his boyhood club. Williams-Barnett’s inclusion on the bench suggested that Frank had been monitoring his progress, after the teenager scored six goals and provided four assists in just six youth-level matches.
Williams-Barnett entered the game in the 87th minute, marking his first senior appearance for Tottenham Hotspur. This debut made him Tottenham Hotspur’s 900th legacy number holder. Supporters will hope to see him involved more often in the Carabao Cup and potentially in future league fixtures.
Joao Palhinha fills in at centre-back
The Tottenham Hotspur teamsheet included a surprise: Joao Palhinha at centre-back. Many expected Palhinha to be rested alongside Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Mohammed Kudus. However, he had to play in an unfamiliar role. He played the full ninety minutes, showcasing Tottenham Hotspur’s current lack of depth in defence.
Palhinha performed adequately in the role, fulfilling the requirements. However, his deployment at centre-back indicates concerns about squad depth, particularly with Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin and Takai not fully fit. This situation requires monitoring from Frank, although it isn’t yet a cause for panic.
Pedro Porro wears the Tottenham Hotspur armband
Thomas Frank previously named Cristian Romero as club captain, following the departure of Heung-min Son. However, the rest of the leadership group remained unconfirmed. Pedro Porro captained the team against Doncaster Rovers. This suggests Frank views him as a leader within the squad moving forward.
Porro wearing the armband ahead of more experienced players like Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur is notable. It indicates that the Spaniard has earned the manager’s trust. He could play an important role in the dressing room dynamic this season at Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Carabao Cup victory provided valuable insights into the squad’s depth and emerging talents. While the debut of Luca Williams-Barnett offered a glimpse into the future, the makeshift defence highlighted current limitations. It remains to be seen how Frank will address these challenges as Tottenham Hotspur progress in the competition.
