Tottenham Hotspur start their FA Cup campaign on Sunday as AFC Wimbledon are the visitors to Wembley in the third round.
While finishing in the Premier League top four and continued progression in the Champions League dominate Mauricio Pochettino’s priorities – he has admitted as much – the Spurs boss would be wise not to dismiss the FA Cup.
Tottenham have a rich history in this tournament and while the financial backing of other competitions may have seen the relative ‘importance’ of the FA Cup diminish, winning it this season would be a big boost for the club.
Pochettino has certainly improved Spurs since taking over as manager, with the side now deemed as one of the most-rounded and able in English football.
However, despite second and third-placed Premier League finishes in recent seasons, the absence of silverware is a blight on the Tottenham manager’s progress.
Given that the League Cup success in 2008 is the only trophy Spurs have won this century, it is understandable that us long-serving Tottenham supporters are desperate for silverware.
But, with a young, hungry group of stars at his disposal, Pochettino will recognise that the players are also dreaming of winning a competition and will see this as the next step in their journey at the club.
For Tottenham to cement its place as one of English football’s big boys, the Spurs boss needs to have the team contesting and winning trophies on a regular basis.
After a hectic festive season fixture list, it is only natural that Pochettino will rest some of his big guns on Sunday.
However, assuming progression to the fourth round is confirmed this weekend, Tottenham should have real ambitions of winning the competition in 2018 – it would be fitting reward for the players and fans after an exciting last 24 months.