LONDON: It’s a measure of the progress Tottenham have made over the last two years that they head into their FA Cup fourth round meeting with Fulham today with priorities lying elsewhere.
The competition has frequently marked one of the highpoints of Spurs’ ambitions in years gone by when they fluctuated around the middle of the Premier League.
But with their Champions League campaign due to resume with a last-16 meeting against AC Milan next month, and the battle for a top league finish entering its final stages, the importance of the Cup has been diminished this season.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp insists he is treating all three trophies with equal respect, but he knows the greater prestige and financial rewards lie elsewhere.
“People forget where Spurs were two years ago,” he said. “We’re involved in three competitions and we want to give it our best shot to go as well as we can in all of them.”
By contrast, Fulham’s focus is on the FA Cup following an improved run that has brought four wins in their last seven games and eased the pressure on manager Mark Hughes.
Hughes became the first player to collect four FA Cup winner’s medals and, with his club’s league position now looking less precarious than it was a month ago, is anxious to secure the victory at Craven Cottage that would ensure a place in the fifth round.
“We want to progress in the FA Cup and it’s a competition that’s close to my heart,” said Hughes.
“I’ve had great experiences playing in the competition during my career as a player and manager. I want that to continue. We’ll try to do the best we can and get as far as we can.
“Tottenham are a very good side and I’m not sure how high the FA Cup is in Harry Redknapp’s list of priorities because he’s doing very well on a number of fronts, Champions League included.
“It will be interesting to see what team they go with but our intention is to progress. We’re in two competitions and given the quality we have in the squad we can manage to compete on two fronts. I don’t see it as a burden.”
Tottenham have triumphed in the teams’ two league meetings this season although their first victory, at Craven Cottage in October, was secured by a controversial Tom Huddlestone goal that was allowed to stand after initially being ruled out for offside.
The return at White Hart Lane at the turn of the year was similarly close and marked one of the first in a series of vastly-improved performances by Hughes’ side.
Their chances of finally overcoming Redknapp’s team will be enhanced by the absence of Spurs winger Gareth Bale, who has been ruled out with a back problem, although the Tottenham manager insists there is no long term concern.
“He won’t need an operation. He should be fit in 10 days,” Redknapp said.
“He’ll make the Milan game in the San Siro, all being well.”
Niko Kranjcar is expected to deputise for the Wales international after being linked with a move to Fulham in the build-up to this game.
Hughes, though, has denied having any interest in the player.
“We’re not interested in Niko,” the manager said. “We’ve got a lot of midfield players and he’s not a priority for us.”
That will come as good news to Redknapp, who is keen to hold onto the Croatia international despite the player’s growing frustration at his lack of starting opportunities.
“With Gareth Bale out, Niko is an important player,” said Redknapp.
“A German club have come in for him and offered good money but I am not keen to lose him because he is a fantastic player.”
