FA CUP? NOTHING SPECIAL

Pochettino insists only a Prem title or Euro glory will lift Spurs

TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted the FA Cup is no longer special for the club.

The Argentinian insists winning the trophy will not change the club’s history – and is not important compared to the Premier League and Champions League.

Spurs are synonymous with being a cup team and have a glorious FA Cup tradition – but Pochettino claims they have different priorities on the eve of their glamour semi-final with Manchester United.

He said: “I promise you the club is not going to change if you win or don’t win the FA Cup or the League Cup. Is the FA Cup going to change our life? I don’t believe so.

“It would be fantastic to add that trophy to the club, but what would put us on a different level would be to win the Premier League or Champions League.

“It doesn’t mean I am not interested to win the FA Cup. Here, people love to talk about perception and changing perceptions.

“Good Champions League group stage – you beat Dortmund, Real Madrid and you compete very well against Juventus and the dimension of the club around the world changes completely.”

Spurs have not won a trophy since the League Cup in 2008 and Pochettino has been questioned for not lifting silverware since taking charge four years ago.

To do it this season, he will have to end a nightmare run that has seen Spurs beaten in all seven semifinals since they last won the FA Cup in 1991.

The eight-time winners have lost to Arsenal (twice), Portsmouth, Everton, Newcastle and Chelsea (twice). Yet it is something Pochettino insists will not scare the players or weigh heavy on their shoulders as they prepare to tackle United tomorrow.

He said: “I don’t believe the fans put on more pressure. The pressure we put on ourselves and the motivation is massive.’’

Keeper Michel Vorm normally plays in the FA Cup but Pochettino has hinted that No.1 Hugo Lloris will start.

And he believes playing their home games at Wembley will not give Spurs an advantage.

Pochettino said: “No, I don’t believe so because Manchester United have the experience to play in Wembley too. It’s not an advantage for us, not a disadvantage for them.

“I think it will be a game that will be typical FA Cup at Wembley. Half Tottenham and half Manchester United.

“It’s a different competition and the atmosphere will be completely different to the Premier League.”