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Danny Murphy has seen enough of Tottenham Hotspur to believe that they can set their objectives very high this season.

Spurs have surprised most people with the start they have made to the campaign, with Thomas Frank not taking long to put his imprint on the side.

Frank has said that he will not pay any attention to the Premier League table for now, but Tottenham fans will certainly be delighted to see their side in third place after having to endure a difficult 2024-25 campaign domestically.

Spurs failed to pick up all three points at the Amex Stadium, but Murphy saw further evidence at the Amex Stadium that this Tottenham team is a transformed one this season.

Danny Murphy says Tottenham should be aiming for a top-four finish

Despite their impressive start to the season, Tottenham have only been given an 18.26 per cent chance of qualifying for the Champions League by Opta’s Supercomputer.

However, Murphy has remarked that Frank’s men certainly passed the eye-test with how organised they were against Brighton despite throwing bodies forward.

The former Spurs midfielder suggested that the Lilywhites should be setting their sights on a top-four finish.

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The pundit said (via BBC Sport): “Players taking responsibility is what a manager wants to see. They were still getting men in the box and were brave enough to get on the ball,” he said.

“It was structured, it wasn’t chaotic, it was really well done. This team are so fit and well organised. They just kept going and really limited Brighton to very few chances, which is difficult when you’re throwing men forward.

“They got their rewards, and they deserved a win. Top four have to be their ambition. They have got a really good squad and competition for places.”

Thomas Frank has already spelt out Tottenham’s ambitions

Before the start of the season, Frank made it clear that he wants Tottenham to be competitive on all four fronts.

The Dane pointed out that it is something that Spurs have not managed to do in 2019. He certainly has set the tone at the start of the season and has not been shy of rotating his squad.

What has been pleasing so far is that the 51-year-old has got performances out of the team even while rotating his squad, which was not the case under his predecessor.

Thomas Frank may be enjoying an encouraging start at Tottenham, but he cannot afford to take the Carabao Cup lightly, as it offers both a realistic chance at silverware and a valuable opportunity to keep his squad sharp across a long season.

Tottenham Hotspur are now set to turn their attention to the Carabao Cup this midweek after featuring in both the Premier League and Champions League in the past few weeks.

Thomas Frank’s side has given a good account of themselves with their performances in the Champions League and Premier League, showing promise under the new manager in what is already shaping up to be a demanding season.

An opening day win in the Champions League was the perfect way for Tottenham to mark their return to Europe’s premier competition, while three wins, one draw and a defeat, leaving them in third place, is a solid enough start to life under Frank in the Premier League.

It is expected to be a long season for Tottenham, and in the early stages, Spurs’ focus has to be on staying in all competitions, including the Carabao Cup.

For many fans, the Carabao Cup is often looked down on and seen as a lesser trophy, and while it does not compare to the more prestigious honours on offer, Tottenham must still take the competition seriously for a number of reasons.

Why Frank cannot ignore the Carabao Cup with Tottenham

Spurs need to build on their Europa League success from last season by winning more silverware to maintain a winning mentality within the club, as no supporter would want to wait another 17 years for the next major trophy.

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The Carabao Cup presents the perfect opportunity for Frank and his players to do just that, as the chances of going all the way in this competition are far greater when compared to the Champions League or a Premier League title push, with the FA Cup another demanding route that will bring its own challenges.

Last season, an injury-hit Tottenham side came close to the final in the Carabao Cup, even beating Liverpool in the first leg of the semi-final before losing on aggregate, and one would believe that if Frank’s team remain fit and prioritise the tournament, they stand a genuine chance of going further and perhaps lifting the trophy outright.

Frank’s personal motivation in the Carabao Cup

Another reason why Frank should be careful not to overlook the Carabao Cup would be for a more personal reason.

The Dane has yet to win a major trophy in his career, and while that did not prevent him from landing a top job at Tottenham, winning silverware, even if it is the Carabao Cup, would no doubt calm a few nerves and help build much-needed trust with the club’s supporters.

The final of the competition falls in the middle of the season, and regardless of Tottenham’s situation at that stage, a cup win would provide both the players and the manager with an extra lift, reinforcing belief and momentum that could prove crucial later in the campaign.

Tottenham fans are debating which front three Thomas Frank should field against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup, and the consensus among the Spurs faithful is clear.

Thomas Frank would hope to begin his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur by finally securing silverware, something that has eluded him so far in his managerial career.

The Dane has yet to win a major honour, but with him now leading Tottenham, there is belief that he can change that narrative, particularly given the squad depth at his disposal.

Spurs are competing on all fronts this season, having made a bright start in both the Premier League and Champions League. Still, with the Carabao Cup about to begin, Frank will want to get his first taste of knockout football at Tottenham off to a winning start.

Tottenham fans name preferred front three vs Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster Rovers will arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday, and with games coming thick and fast, Frank is expected to rotate his squad ahead of the weekend’s Premier League fixture.

Supporters have wasted no time making their feelings known, with many calling for a completely reshuffled attack in the Carabao Cup. The general sentiment is that it is the perfect time for certain players to get minutes under their belts.

One fan said when asked about their preferred trio: “Tel, Muani, Johnson makes a lot of sense.” Another echoed the thought, writing: “Tel, Kolo-Muani, Johnson.”

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The responses kept flooding in and followed a similar pattern, with one commenting: “Kolo Muani, Tel, Johnson. Some Spurs fans saying start Scarlett but no time for players like Scarlett who, let us be honest, will never make it as a top-level player.”

Another posted: “Johnson, Tel, Odobert. Let us not take the piss.” A further supporter suggested: “My front three is Johnson, Kolo Muani and Odobert but this is my lineup for Doncaster tomorrow.” A final fan wrote: “Tel, Kolo, Johnson with Odobert in the 10 before being rotated with Williams-Barnett.”.

Thomas Frank must rotate Spurs squad

Frank will know he needs to use his squad if Tottenham are to avoid injuries, and Wednesday looks like one of those nights where rotation becomes essential.

Several players have already featured in every game so far this season, with Mohammed Kudus, Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro among those who have started each match, and they are expected to be rested.

Tel in particular needs minutes, especially after his omission from the Champions League squad, while Brennan Johnson has not played much recently.

Randal Kolo Muani is also still finding his rhythm, and Wednesday provides a useful opportunity for him to build fitness and sharpness.

Tottenham fans have already seen two different starts under two different managers, with Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank both tasked with leading Spurs back into the top four, but which of the two enjoyed the stronger opening as Tottenham boss?

Tottenham Hotspur have had a revolving door of managers over the past two decades, with former chairman Daniel Levy responsible for sacking as many as 15 during his reign.

This summer, it was the turn of Ange Postecoglou, who, despite guiding Spurs into Europe, was dismissed after just two seasons in charge, despite guiding Tottenham to Europa League glory.

In his place came Thomas Frank, the 51-year-old former Brentford boss, who was given the reins ahead of this campaign. He has already made a bright start to life in north London, with Tottenham sitting in third place after five Premier League games.

The question, however, is how Frank’s early progress measures up against the start made by Postecoglou in his debut season as Spurs manager.

Ange Postecoglou vs Thomas Frank Tottenham starts compared

Plenty of Tottenham fans will remember that Ange Postecoglou hit the ground running in the Premier League, and his side looked well-drilled and exciting in the opening weeks of his first season in charge.

The Australian managed to collect 13 points from his first five league matches, winning four, drawing one, scoring 13 goals and conceding five, a run that had Spurs sitting inside the top two.

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Thomas Frank, meanwhile, has earned 10 points from his first five games, placing Spurs in third, with only Arsenal and Liverpool sitting higher in the table.

His record is less explosive in attack as Spurs have managed ten goals so far, but stronger defensively, with three clean sheets and only three goals conceded.

Can Thomas Frank deliver more than Ange Postecoglou?

It is fair to say that Ange Postecoglou’s opening spell felt like a honeymoon period, yet fans will also recall how quickly things unravelled once injuries struck after the tenth matchday, with Spurs sliding down the table and eventually finishing fifth, a position that denied them Champions League football.

Thomas Frank will be desperate to avoid a repeat of that trajectory, and while he sits three points behind Postecoglou’s benchmark after five games, there is every reason to believe that Spurs are better equipped this time to sustain a campaign.

Tottenham have backed their new boss in the market, strengthening depth across the pitch, and unlike Postecoglou, Frank should not have to worry about an injury crisis derailing his plans, at least not to the same damaging extent.

Tottenham Hotspur host Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and the tie should provide some squad players with first-team opportunities.

Tottenham Hotspur will kick off their Carabao Cup campaign on Wednesday and Doncaster are the team who will make the journey to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs will be eyeing a return to winning ways after being held to a 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend. Thomas Frank is likely to make some changes from the team which played in the Premier League, providing rotation players with the opportunity to shine.

Here are the five players to watch in Tottenham’s League Cup third round.

Antonin Kinsky is likely to start for Tottenham

Antonin Kinsky is yet to play for Spurs this season. It comes as no surprise that he has not started a league game, but he was also left out of the lineup which faced Villarreal in the Champions League.

Kinsky will probably start against Doncaster and he has a point to prove. Guglielmo Vicario is not going to be benched unless Tottenham’s second choice goalkeeper does something special. Therefore, he must show what he can do on Wednesday.

Doncaster might not be expected to threaten much, but Grimsby’s win over Manchester United has shown that top tier teams must be prepared for anything. Kinsky may be called into action and it would do him a world of good to make some saves and earn himself a clean sheet.

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Randal Kolo Muani could be handed his first Spurs start

Randal Kolo Muani missed Tottenham’s visit to Brighton due to a dead leg, but he will be hoping to be fit for the Doncaster match. Frank is hopeful that Muani will be available on Wednesday and he could make his first Tottenham start.

It will be very interesting to watch Muani this season, because it is not yet known whether he will become the first, second or even third choice striker at Tottenham. Dominic Solanke has already fallen behind Richarlison in the pecking order, while the Brazilian does not have the best record when it comes to staying consistent and free from injuries.

Muani averaged one goal every two matches in Serie A during the first half of the calendar year, so he obviously offers an attacking threat. Starting against Doncaster would be a great opportunity, especially since they conceded three goals to Wigan Athletic during their last trip on the road.

Brennan Johnson may return to the Tottenham first-team

Brennan Johnson has appeared in every Spurs game this season except for the UEFA Super Cup. However, he has not been named in the starting lineup since the 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth before the international break.

This is a harsh reality for Johnson, who scored in Tottenham’s opening two Premier League fixtures. On top of this, he was playing on the left wing which is not his natural side.

Mohammed Kudus has not scored a goal for Spurs and yet he is clearly favoured over Johnson. The Welshman must keep banging in the goals, but he also needs to be active in Tottenham’s attacking moves. Too often Johnson seems to be invisible and only shows up during certain points of the match and this needs to change if he is to compete with Kudus.

Kevin Danso must show he is first-team quality

Cristian Romero is always going to start Premier League matches when he is available, but Danso is surely too good a player to be spending every game sat on the bench.

The centre-back should get an opportunity against Doncaster and he needs to assert dominance in defence. Tottenham could well play a high line and look to take the game to their Carabao Cup opponents, so Danso’s passing and long balls will be tested, as well as his defending.

Frank is likely to make the Champions League a priority, but Spurs do have some favourable matches against teams they should be beating. It would be good for Danso to be playing in these fixtures, but he must earn his place.

Luca Williams-Barnett has been on fire

Luca Williams-Barnett recently scored a 39 minute hat-trick for Tottenham u21s and Spurs supporters are eager to see him make his senior debut against Doncaster. At 16 years old, he is one of the club’s most promising prospects.

Williams-Barnett already has four goals and two assists in four Premier League 2 appearances. In addition to this, he has registered a goal and assist in the UEFA Youth League and the EFL Trophy after one match in each competition.

Frank will surely select at least a few academy players in his matchday squad and Williams-Barnett has to be included. Everyone in the stadium will be watching on with bated breath waiting to witness the talent get his first taste of senior football and based on his record, maybe even a goal.

Tottenham will look to bounce back from their draw at Brighton with a strong response in the Carabao Cup, as Thomas Frank prepares to shuffle his pack for the clash against Doncaster Rovers. Let’s take a look at our predicted Tottenham XI to face Doncaster.

Following their 2-2 draw at the Amex Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur’s attention now turns to the Carabao Cup, where they take on League One side Doncaster Rovers.

Tottenham were semi-finalists in this competition last time out, and they will aim to go a few steps further this season. Still, they must first take care of business against Doncaster at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

This tie also provides Frank with the opportunity to rotate his squad, allowing several players yet to feature in his Tottenham side this season to get some valuable minutes.

Let’s see how Thomas Frank could line up this midweek against Doncaster Rovers.

Predicted Tottenham XI vs Doncaster Rovers

Goalkeeper – Antonin Kinsky: Guglielmo Vicario had a howler when trying to deal with Brighton’s second goal during the weekend, and could very well be rested here with Kinsky expected to step in.

Right-back – Djed Spence: The England international was dropped to the bench in the Brighton fixture, but he may return to the starting XI this time, with Pedro Porro handed a rest.

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Centre-back – Cristian Romero: While there may be a reshuffle in defence on Wednesday, Romero is still expected to start against Doncaster.

Centre-back – Kevin Danso: It could be a first start for Danso this midweek, with Micky van de Ven likely dropping to the bench to give the Dutchman some much-needed rest.

Left-back – Ben Davies: Another first start could be on the cards for Wales international Ben Davies, who may slot in at left-back in place of Destiny Udogie.

Pivot midfielder – Archie Gray: Frank has already spoken of his desire to give Gray more game time, and this Carabao Cup tie could provide the perfect opportunity for the youngster to play in his preferred midfield role.

Pivot midfielder – Pape Matar Sarr: The Senegal international has impressed so far this season, and having sat out the Brighton clash, he is expected to make a return to the starting XI.

Centre midfielder – Lucas Bergvall: The Swede is enjoying fine form and could be handed a start in a more advanced midfield position.

Left midfielder – Xavi Simons: Simons is still being eased into life in England, but this midweek tie against Doncaster could be another chance for him to start from the off.

Striker – Mathys Tel: Randal Kolo Muani is tipped to return from his dead leg injury ahead of this cup tie and could provide another option for Frank, although it remains to be seen if he is fit enough to start.

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to get their Carabao Cup campaign underway with a win at home to Doncaster, as Thomas Frank’s side aim to build on their recent form and make progress in another competition. Here’s how to watch the clash between Tottenham and Doncaster.

Tottenham Hotspur now shift focus towards the Carabao Cup, following a hectic week that included both Champions League and Premier League fixtures.

It is a change of pace, but an important one, with the club keen to make their mark in this competition after going deep in it last season.

The north London side will want to start their journey strongly, especially after their semi-final run last time out, and the Doncaster tie presents a real opportunity to settle into the rhythm of the cup early on.

For Thomas Frank, this game offers a valuable chance to rotate his squad, with several players pushing for minutes after a busy schedule.

When and where is the game?

Tottenham will face Doncaster at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, with kick-off set for 19:45 (UK time).

How to watch Tottenham vs Doncaster in the UK

Supporters in the UK will be able to watch Tottenham vs Doncaster live on television through Sky Sports+.

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Tottenham and Doncaster team news

Thomas Frank will have to make do without James Maddison, Radu Dragusin and Dejan Kulusevski, as all three remain sidelined.

There is a chance of a return for Kota Takai and Dominic Solanke, who have resumed training, although their involvement is not yet certain.

Randal Kolo Muani, who picked up a dead leg, could feature after Frank confirmed his recovery is progressing, while Yves Bissouma is still unavailable.

Doncaster, in contrast, has a clean bill of health and no injuries to contend with ahead of this fixture.

Spurs Web prediction for Tottenham vs Doncaster

Spurs enter this cup tie in decent form, with two wins from their last three matches and a hard-fought draw in their most recent Premier League outing.

Doncaster, however, has struggled, losing their last two games, and this will only make their trip to north London more daunting.

With home advantage and momentum behind them, Tottenham should have too much quality for their League One opponents, and it could turn into a comfortable evening for the Lilywhites.

A former Premier League star has told Tottenham Hotspur that they have a midfielder in their squad who could fetch a bigger fee than the one Declan Rice did a couple of years ago.

Some pundits have been impressed with Tottenham’s midfield depth, which has allowed Thomas Frank to rotate between various options so far this season.

One man who initially found himself on the bench has really come to the fore over the last three matches and made himself nearly undroppable.

We are, of course, talking about Lucas Bergvall, who swept all of Tottenham’s end-of-season awards last term and has carried on from where he left off at the start of this campaign.

After add-ons were activated, Tottenham paid just £15.7m to sign Bergvall from Djurgardens, but they are told he is worth a whole lot more now.

Pundit says Lucas Bergvall is worth £110m to Tottenham

According to reports, Barcelona are still ruing the fact that Tottenham beat them to Bergvall’s signature 18 months ago, and one can understand why.

The teenager appears to be a generational talent, and a former West Ham midfielder, Martin Allen, has claimed that the Swede is worth more than the £105m that Arsenal paid to sign Declan Rice from West Ham in 20223.

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When asked how much Bergvall is worth, Allen told Tottenham News: “At the age that he’s at, you’ve got to remember what Declan Rice and many, many years at West Ham, he went for £105m a couple of years ago.

“With him, there’s no way I’d sell him for less than £110m, no way. For me, he’s a better player than Rice, because he scores goals, and Declan’s not great at scoring goals. Top, top quality player. Yeah, and I will put him around about that £110m bracket, he’s that good, in my opinion.”

Bergvall continues to win admirers with each outing

Bergvall’s numbers suggest that he is already among the best in the Premier League, and there is good reason to think that the 19-year-old is nowhere close to his ceiling just yet.

Thomas Frank has revealed that he sometimes has to tell Bergvall to run less, given the enthusiasm, engine and drive that the teenager possesses.

As Tottenham Hotspur continue to dream of bringing Harry Kane back to the club, a new report has explained what conditions have to be met to prise the striker away from the Allianz Arena next summer.

It has been reported over recent months that Kane wants to return to the Premier League next summer after the 2026 World Cup.

The Lilywhites would hold an advantage if the 32-year-old does decide to leave Bavaria, as Tottenham added a first refusal clause when they sold Kane to Bayern, thus giving them the right to match any accepted bid for the centre-forward.

At Spurs Web, we have extensively covered that Kane’s contract at Bayern has a release clause which will drop with each transfer window, and a new report has now shed light on how much the clause would be worth next summer.

How much would Tottenham have to pay to sign Harry Kane next summer?

According to a report in BILD, the striker can leave the Allianz Arena next summer for £57m as per the clause in his contract.

However, the outlet explains that for that clause to be triggered, the Tottenham legend must inform Bayern of his intention to leave before the end of the winter transfer window.

We might thus know in four months whether Kane is seriously considering an exit from the Bundesliga giants at the end of this season.

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What Kane is thinking about his future

Over the last week, sources in Spain have suggested that Barcelona are now eyeing a move for Kane next summer.

Additionally, it has been reported that while the Bayern star is staying silent on his future, sources close to Kane believe that he wants to be competing at the highest level for major trophies.

That means that for Tottenham to have any chance of re-signing their record goalscorer next summer, they need to be going toe-to-toe with the best sides in the Premier League and across Europe.

Tottenham Hotspur were ready to spend big on Savinho in the summer, and a new report has revealed whether we can expect the Lilywhites to go back in for the Manchester City star in January.

Tottenham tried until the final days of the summer window to land Savinho, but in the end, they were unable to get a deal for the Man City star over the line.

According to reports, Savinho was keen on joining Spurs, but Pep Guardiola’s men refused to sanction an exit for the Brazilian.

After missing out on the 21-year-old, Tottenham secured Randal Kolo Muani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in a deadline day deal, but it turns out that they are continuing to keep an eye on the City star.

Tottenham could test Man City’s resolve to keep Savinho in January

Journalist Dean Jones has said that Tottenham’s interest in the former Girona man has not gone away despite their failed summer move.

He pointed out that the winger has not been playing much despite Guardiola’s insistence on keeping him, and he backed the Lilywhites to reignite their interest in the attacker in January.

Jones told TEAMtalk: “Spurs are still keeping an eye on Savinho, knowing that he wanted the move in the summer. His minutes recently are not very convincing at City. Guardiola told him he wants him to stay, but Savinho needs to see how he fits in.

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“The next couple of matches should bring more game time for him and will be a better chance to assess where he is at – but it is the case that Tottenham would revisit in January if they saw the chance to do so.”

Tottenham have identified a Savinho alternative

It has been reported over recent days that Tottenham have identified Sevilla’s Ruben Vargas as an alternative to Savinho.

According to some sources, Spurs are currently leading Aston Villa in the race to sign Vargas, who could be allowed to leave Seville in January.