Out to rid the Carling Cup demons

Last updated : 25 October 2006 By SpursMAD

As if anyone needs reminding, Tottenham were knocked out of both domestic competitions at the first hurdle last season, at Grimsby Town in the Carling Cup and Leicester City in the FA Cup.

Ledley King said: "Grimsby was a great disappointment, we let ourselves down on the night and it was a defeat that's lingered in the memory."

Spurs boss Martin Jol said: "It was probably the biggest disappointment of all my time over here."

"Grimsby were very strong on the night but we fielded a good team and couldn't score. Aaron Lennon came on in the second half and created four chances but the ball wasn't going in the net. They had one corner kick at the end and scored. It was a big blow and with the Leicester game as well, it showed it can happen."

"And in the last round (this season) you saw a few Premiership teams going out, a few surprises.

Tottenham have been drawn away from home in the third round, at another League Two outfit, MK Dons.

Jol, who watched their recent home defeat against Peterborough United, added: "They played a direct style, their manager, Martin Allen, did the same at Brentford."

Martin's cousin, Tottenham's development coach Clive, said: "I've had situations like this over my career when I've come up against Martin, the same with Paul, we've always been very competitive with each other.

"Martin has taken to management and worked very hard at it at Barnet and Brentford, I've spoken to him about it.

"He has been very impressed with the chairman's vision of where the club was going and, Martin has been given the opportunity to be in control of that.

"For them to draw us in the early stages of the Carling Cup was a massive boost for them."

Source: TottenhamHotspur.com