https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...ss-race-spurs-aim-silence-silverware-critics/
Harry Kane wins fitness race as Spurs aim to silence silverware critics against Emirates Marketing Project
Harry Kane is set to be passed fit to play a part in Sunday's Carabao Cup final where Tottenham Hotspur players are targeting victory to “get everyone to just shut up”.
Kane, 27, has been recovering from an ankle injury and missed training on Friday but his progress since
hobbling off at Everton nine days ago has made Spurs confident he will be part of the squad to face Emirates Marketing Project.
Interim head coach Ryan Mason will make final checks on Kane before deciding whether the England captain starts against Pep Guardiola’s team or has a place on the bench. The 29-year-old has been in charge since Jose Mourinho’s dismissal on Monday and overseen a change in mood at the club’s training ground, according to Spurs sources.
Toby Alderweireld has revealed the new manager has reminded players of Mauricio Pochettino, who Mason played under before retiring from playing three years ago following a fractured skull.
“You can see the similarities, how he wants to train, how the sessions are,” said Alderweireld. “It feels very familiar. Of course, he will bring his own view of football and his own ideas, but we can see similarities for sure.”
Alderweireld wants a first trophy for Spurs to show the progress made during the Pochettino years when they reached the Champions League final.
It would also be a first major trophy for Kane.
“I understand what you say about Harry but it’s everyone at the club, he said. “We didn’t get silverware but the steps this club has taken in the last five,six, seven years is big, don’t underestimate it even if you get used to it quite quickly.
“So of course we are not happy without silverware but you can’t say we weren’t good or say Spurs don’t have winners. You have to win to get in finals. You have to win to get into the top four. Of course, that is not silverware but maybe now we are in a moment to get everyone to just shut up and get it.”
Mason is younger than some of the players he is now in charge of and Alderweireld says he has the respect of the squad, particularly being a player until recently.
“You don’t have sympathy, you just think, ‘Is he good? Does it sail? Does it really help us, how he wants to play, how he sees it?’” he said. “And so far it looks all very positive. How he wants us to play, how he wants us to see defending.
“You will never say, ‘Oh, he’s a good guy so let’s just keep him’. But everybody is behind him and so far he is looking very, very promising.”