Will Spurs show 'confidence' or 'abandon' their style?
Seeing teams ending trophy droughts will give Tottenham "belief" that they can break their's when they face Manchester United in the Europa League final, says former winger Andros Townsend.It has been 17-years since Spurs last won a trophy - the League Cup in 2008 - and 41 since they lifted European Silverware.Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Townsend said: "There will be a belief. I think they will be saying 'if those guys [Crystal Palace and Newcastle] can do it, then why can't we do it?'."You look at Bologna in Italy and Go Ahead Eagles [in Netherlands], they have broken droughts as well, so all these things will give those players belief that they it can be their day and will be their day."The three games they have already played against United [can also give confidence]. How well they played in those games and how they controlled those games - especially in the last game at Spurs. For the first half they were all over United, United couldn't get five passes together, they absolutely dominated them. So I'm sure they will be watching those clips again and identifying where they can win the game."They will be going into this game with massive confidence."However, Townsend also feels the final could also force Spurs to move away from their usual style."Postecoglou will set them up in the same way to be font-foot aggressive and high line. But, sometimes the game and occasion forces you into a lower block," he added."Frankfurt, the Europa League game, that was the first time I have seen Spurs abandon this high-line, abandon the passing and abandon the high press. They were flat out, Antonio Conte [style] low-block, let's not concede. I don't think that was Ange, I think that was the players thinking 'this is a massive game, this is our season right here, I can't be the one to make a mistake' and slowly, slowly everyone just retreats."I fear that might be the case [on Wednesday]. The weight of the occasion may play on the Spurs players' minds and and these players individually will not want to make the mistake and so it forces them into something they are not used to."Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds
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