Can Tottenham Hotspur win the Carling Cup Final?

No

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by Matt Kramer

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The Carling Cup final represents the first realistic chance of a major piece of silverware for Tottenham Hotspur since their 2-1 Carling Cup final defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers in the 2001/02 season's corresponding game.
Spurs have been playing well in recent weeks, there is no doubt about that, however, I feel that new boss Juande Ramos has not had the time to mould the team to his liking, therefore it is Martin Jol's side playing under Ramos' tactics and decisions. Beating Arsenal to get to the final was a great result in itself for the players and fans alike, yet one would feel somewhat sceptical about their chances of pulling something very special, which it will no doubt need to be, out of the bag against stern opposition in the form of Avram Grant's high-flying Chelsea.

Their strongest starting eleven, consisting of big names such as Jermaine Jenas, Ledley King, Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane to name a few look a side that should stand some chance of winning this year's trophy, but when compared to Chelsea's big guns including the likes of Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, their chances look considerably slimmer.

Having replaced Paul Robinson in goal in recent weeks, Radek Cerny, wearing number 12, has been in the form of his career. A decent shot-stopper, albeit prone to mistakes, he will probably have the un-enviable task of keeping out Chelsea's front men, and the rest of the team in fact, with Chelsea's numerous goal-scoring options all over the pitch.
The back four, assuming there is no injury problems before hand, will more than likely be Pascal Chimbonda at right back, captain Ledley King and either Michael Dawson or new signing Jonathan Woodgate as centre backs, and any one of Lee Young Pyo, Gilberto or Benoit Assou Ekotto playing on the left hand side of the defence. Earlier in the season, Tottenham were conceding far too many goals than anyone associated with the club would have liked, but as the season has progressed , the back four, whoever they may be, have looked strong, and have conceded much less goals than before. Still, will they be able to handle Chelsea on the 24th? Only time will tell.

Moving on to the midfield now, and this is probably the most improved area of the pitch for Tottenham recently. With Jermain Jenas and probably Didier Zokora playing through the middle, with Steed Malbranque and Aaron Lennon on either wing, they prove time and time again to be excellent defensive cover, and at the same time, fantastic suppliers to the front men whenever needed, with Lennon and Jenas in particularly good form at the moment, their main chance of victory in the final depends on what sort of game the guys in midfield have for Spurs.
Finally, the forwards. Having sold Jermain Defoe to Portsmouth, Tottenham now have to rely on Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Bent to fetch them the goals. All three are world class strikers on their days, but Chelsea's defence is solid and it will be a tough ask for them and Tottenham to score against them, especially with arguably the World's number one in goal, Petr Cech.

To recap, I think that Tottenham Hotspur have a chance against Chelsea, but that chance is very slim, and in order for them to attain victory, and their first piece of silverware since 1998/99, they need everything to go their way, and in all honesty, I cannot see that happening against top-class opposition, in the shape of Chelsea. My prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur.

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