Tottenham news: Ex-Spurs star issues ‘big’ claim after Antonio Conte reveal
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte will not ring the changes as his side take on Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, according to Alan Hutton.
The former Spurs defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 52-year-old will be under “big pressure” to win the competition.
Tottenham travel to the Riverside Stadium tonight (1 March) with giant-killers Middlesbrough standing in the way of Conte’s last viable route to silverware this season.
As quoted by football.london (28 February), the Italian confirmed he has a “great desire” to advance in the competition.
He also revealed Oliver Skipp, Japhet Tanganga, Lucas Moura, and Rodrigo Bentancur will remain absent through injury.
Hutton claimed the Tottenham fans “won’t be happy” if Conte didn’t name a “strong” side.
“I’d be surprised if he makes a lot of changes,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“I can see him freshening up one or two positions, but he will have big pressure weighing on his shoulders.
“The board and fans will be expecting him to win a trophy, and he will expect that of himself – he’s a serial winner.
“I think we’ll see a strong Spurs team going out with the goal of winning this trophy.
“Anything other than that, and I don’t think the fans will be happy with that lineup.”
Boro have already dispatched Man United and Mansfield in the FA Cup this season, while Spurs have defeated Morecambe and Brighton.
Tottenham last lifted the FA Cup in 1991.
Their last major honour, the League Cup, was won by Juande Ramos in 2008.
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