Spurs show spine
MAURICIO POCHETTINO hailed the character of his Tottenham team after they withstood a Wolves fightback to grind out a 3-2 win at Molineux.
Pochettino was keen for his players to learn the lessons from yesterday’s thrilling clash after they threatened to throw away a 3-0 lead in a tense finale.
But the Tottenham manager also praised his team’s fighting qualities after former England defender Gary Neville this week labelled previous Tottenham teams as “spineless”.
“When some people make some comments you have to respect the comments,” Pochettino said.
“But yes, I was so happy right from the beginning. Since I arrived here we created a very good culture about fight and altogether the belief.
“It was difficult to create that but I am so happy. It is a team that is always going to give the faith in each game.
“We can win or we can lose but we are so intense and today the effort was fantastic.”
Pochettino’s men appeared to be cruising when Harry Kane made it 3-0 on 61 minutes, adding to first half goals from Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura.
Yet, two late penalties from Wolves set up a nervous finish and left Pochettino with mixed feelings.
“When we got to 3-0 we thought and the whole stadium thought the game was over,” he said.
“When we arrive in that situation we need to learn about how to play seriously, not make mistakes and not give opponents such poor actions that they can stay in the game.
“That is why I am happy for three points but disappointed with some of the performance.”
Pochettino celebrated victory amid a backdrop of injury concerns, especially in midfield, after Mousa Dembele limped off after just six minutes with his ankle heavily strapped.
With Victor Wanyama (knee) and Eric Dier (thigh) already sidelined, Pochettino will conduct a nervous head count ahead of tomorrow’s mustwin Champions League game at home to PSV Eindhoven.
“We don’t know but we are a little bit worried. We need to see because we need to assess him before the match,” Pochettino said of Dembele.
“It will be a shame because we hope it’s not a big issue. It’s very painful now but I hope it’s not a big issue and he can be with the team again soon.” – AFP has never instructed players to make a deliberate foul in his managerial career.
“I’m not disclosing a secret when I say that when the opponent has the ball we’re going to push them, press them to regain the ball to attack more,” said Guardiola.
“That is the main thing. But people have to know, and Gary Neville knows perfectly because he was a former player, the opponents play, too.
“Sometimes they dribble, you arrive late and you’re down and make a foul. So, yeah, it happens – I’m not saying we don’t make fouls. But the intention to do something? No.
“I’m completely not agreeing with those comments that we are a team that is looking for these kind of situations because it never happened in Barcelona, it never happened in Bayern Munich and it can never happen at City and will never happen in the future in my career. Never.”