Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River State chapter has took to the streets of Calabar to celebrate the victory of Senator Bassey Otu at the Governorship Election Tribunal in Calabar.
Clearly, this level of performance falls short of expectations.
However, Wednesday's match presents a golden opportunity to change the narrative. The fact that it's a cup competition rather than a Premier League fixture means Pochettino will opt for squad rotation.
This will provide a chance for eager fringe players to showcase their abilities, thereby compelling the team to shift away from the recent defense-oriented strategy.
Given the limited availability of defenders in the coming weeks, Pochettino might be compelled to field a natural left-back like Ben Chilwell or Ian Maatsen.
This tactical adjustment will redirect Chelsea's focus towards an attacking style of play. Enzo Fernandez is expected to be rested, creating an opportunity for talents like Cole Palmer or Noni Madueke. Although they may not replicate Fernandez's passing prowess, they are better suited for the attacking role that Fernandez has occupied recently.
This alignment is more organic and holds the key to revitalizing Chelsea's approach.
Further up the pitch, Armando Broja or Deivid Washington may receive playing time, stepping in for the suspended Nicolas Jackson in the next Premier League game. This alteration will infuse a fresh dynamism into Chelsea's attack, aligning with Pochettino's needs.
While the pressure on a Chelsea manager is unrelenting, an early Carabao Cup exit with a weakened squad is not an earth-shattering shock or controversy. Such occurrences are commonplace in football, providing Pochettino with a relatively low-risk opportunity to experiment with new strategies and tactics.