Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has explained why he named a strong side for the FA Cup third-round clash with Middlesbrough, saying he wouldn't have forgiven himself if he chose otherwise.
Spurs travel to face the in-form Championship outfit on the back of a difficult run in the Premier League, suffering defeats to Southampton and Chelsea, while they are without star-man Harry Kane.
Despite the packed fixture schedule, which includes a clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool next weekend, Mourinho elected to select a strong line-up for Sunday's match.
While this would have surprised those who expected rotation from Mourinho, he explained that he wouldn't have been able to forgive himself if a weaker side suffered an exit at the hands of Middlesbrough.
"Because I know it’s a difficult job and I wouldn’t forgive myself, I would be to blame if I faced this game in a light way,” he told BT Sports.
"We know that we are in a difficult moment, we lost players and the squad is not even close to their maximum potential but I wouldn’t forgive myself if I came here with a team without the players that give us the best chance.
"A cup is a cup, the FA Cup is more special than any cup.
"Middlesbrough have a good team in a good moment, with four victories in a row, if you come here without a good mentality we are going to be in trouble."
