THE JINX EFFECT
Poch: We should be given more credit for dealing with Wembley move.. we’re fourth and before the start we would have taken that
MAURICIO POCHETTINO says Tottenham deserve respect for overcoming their problems to be on the verge of a third consecutive season of Champions League football.
Saturday’s 3-1 Wembley defeat by Manchester City underlined how far Spurs are behind the champions but boss Pochettino was keen to put their season into context.
His side are seven points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea and need just three more wins from their final five games to clinch a top-four finish.
Spurs, rocked early in the season by speculation about full-back Danny Rose, dropped seven points in their first three league games as they struggled to acclimatise to their new Wembley home.
Pochettino said: “It is important to talk about context. Last summer we had many problems and there was also a lot of talk of the Wembley hoodoo.
“Now we are fourth, seven points ahead of the team in fifth, so we deserve credit. Before the start of the season I think everyone would have signed for that.”
Spurs will have another new ground to get used to next season when they move into their new White Hart Lane stadium.
And that could be a handicap in their bid to catch City next season.
Pochettino said: “Maybe we will need to play four games away from home (if the stadium is not ready in time) and that will add stress.”
Last season Liverpool played their first three games away from home while an Anfield stand was being redeveloped and surprisingly dropped three points at Burnley in their second match of the season. Spurs go in search of the first of the three wins they need tonight at Brighton, who still are not clear of relegation worries.
Pochettino plans to rotate ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, with Lucas Moura and Toby Alderweireld both in contention to feature.
The Tottenham boss also backed goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after a string of clangers, the latest against City on Saturday night.
He said: “Hugo Lloris is improving every season and is one of the best keepers in the world. He is doing fantastic, I have no doubts about him.
“In the way that we play, we need a keeper like him, a keeper who is brave.”