Pep Guardiola this weekend reiterated his plan to play a weakened team against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, insisting he would not "take a risk" with his Manchester City stars and may use “players from the academy” on Wednesday.
Guardiola would not be the first manager to misdirect about his team in the build-up to a game, but given City's schedule, which includes the expanded 32-team Club World Cup in the summer, it is probably fair to take the Catalan at his word.
When Spurs were drawn with City, supporters of the north London club understandably felt resigned, but a fourth-round tie against Guardiola's second-string now represents an opportunity. Eliminate City, who have won the League Cup in six of the previous 10 years, and the competition should feel wide open for Spurs.
Guardiola's plans, though, only add to the pressure on Spurs and their head coach Ange Postecoglou, increasing the scrutiny on the Australian's own team selection.
Previously underdogs, Spurs will be favourites to progress if Guardiola plays the kids. A defeat to City's first-team can usually be shrugged off but fans and pundits will not be so forgiving if Tottenham lose to their reserves, especially if Postecoglou shuffles his own pack.
Postecoglou made eight changes for the previous round at Coventry, with three teenagers in the XI and a first start in over a year for goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
The result was a disjointed display and a smash-and-grab 2-1 win, sealed by late goals from Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson.
Postecoglou’s decision to withdraw Lucas Bergvall in the 62nd minute was met with some boos from the away end, and if Spurs had lost the game and gone out, the apparent disconnect between the club and supporters over the Carabao Cup might have come to an ugly head.
For many Spurs fans, the domestic cups should be the priority this season, as the most realistic chances for the club to end their painful 14-year wait for a trophy.
Looking at Postecoglou's line-up at Coventry - and indeed against Fulham in last year's second-round defeat - it is hard to make the case that the Carabao Cup is a priority for the head coach, who effectively said before the game that he would use his squad players to ensure they were in rhythm for other competitions.
In fairness to Postecoglou, he has also said repeatedly that he is working to build a sustainable team capable of challenging for honours year-on-year and does not believe in a quick fix, even if he can understand the desperation of many supporters for any trophy.
The bottom line, though, is that Postecoglou would face a tetchy backlash if he rotates his side on Wednesday and Spurs crash out, particularly following the abject 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
For many fans, the Fulham game was one of Postecoglou's biggest missteps last season and it might similarly be remembered if Spurs are beaten at home by a second-string City, who should, after all, still be formidable.
Playing the Premier League side is no guarantee of success of course (and Spurs' strongest available team were beaten 1-0 at home by a City XI missing Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne in last year's FA Cup), but at least it could not be pinned on complacency or a lack of respect for the Carabao Cup.
So does Postecoglou minimise risk and go as strong as possible or continue his policy of rotation in this competition?
Along with wanting a response to the display at Selhurst Park, the head coach will be conscious of the looming six-pointer against Aston Villa next weekend, as well as the need to use his squad.
Bergvall, Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray are among the recent signings who picked Spurs over other clubs on the back of guarantees from Postecoglou that they would be given opportunities, and arguably a meeting with a youthful City, who have bigger priorities this season, is another good time to use them.
Many supporters, though, would argue that the manager should save his rotations for the Europa League, where there are still five games remaining in the initial phase and Spurs are in a position of strength, with three wins from three in the revamped competition courtesy of much-changed XIs.
The reality is that Spurs fans will probably be more forgiving of some changes than others but for Postecoglou Wednesday's game promises to be another balancing act at what feels like a delicate time for the head coach.
