Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes striker Harry Kane "deserves a trophy" ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final between Spurs and Manchester City at Wembley.
After a controversial week for both clubs, following Jose Mourinho's exit from Spurs and both joining and then pulling out of the European Super League, they will go head-to-head in the first major final of the domestic season this weekend.
For Spurs, it will be their first appearance in a domestic cup final since losing the League Cup final to Manchester United in 2009, meaning there is plenty of pressure on their shoulders to bring an end to their 13-year wait to lay their hands on a piece of silverware.
However, following Mourinho's departure and the fallout of the Super League debacle continuing, Spurs have faced more turbulence in the build-up to Sunday's game than City have, certainly as far as a managerial change is concerned.
As well as that, Spurs are now facing the prospect of being without talisman Harry Kane through injury. The England captain missed last night's 2-1 win against Southampton and, according to caretaker boss Ryan Mason, he is "doing absolutely everything he can" to ensure he is available to face City.
And should he win his fitness battle, former Spurs shot-stopper Robinson insists Kane deserves to a win a trophy more than most.
"If anyone deserves a trophy it’s Harry Kane. The service that he’s given to the club over the years and the goals he’s scored, if anyone deserves some silverware as well as the fans, it’s Harry," Robinson told William Hill. "I’m sure he would love to do it for the fans.
"He doesn’t often have a bad game, and he’s got the ability to affect the whole team’s performance. If he plays well and drags the others along with him then we’ve got a real chance.
"It’s also important for the short-term future for the club (to win a trophy). There have obviously been noises about Harry’s future, but I think winning this trophy would put all of that to bed.
"It gives the club the chance to build for European football again and keeping Harry at the club is vitally important."
Although Spurs have beaten City once already this season, they do head into Sunday's clash at the national stadium as underdogs in their quest to end their respective trophy drought.
However, Robinson believes Spurs can be victorious if Son Heung-min and Kane are at the very top of their game.
"Harry and Son Heung-min are the obvious ones (who will play a big part)," added the former England goalkeeper. "The partnership they’ve struck up and the football they’ve played at times has been fantastic. I think we’ve hugely missed Sonny as of late.
"But they also have to shore up at the back and cope with what Manchester City have got. At times Spurs have been criticised for playing too defensively and playing on the counter-attack, but I think that’s the way to play against City because of the quality they’ve got in the final third.
"We saw how well Leeds did at the Etihad to beat them, and that’s the blueprint for how to beat Man City. It’s not going to be easy, but the central defensive partnership is going to be key to winning the game."
