Spurs boss rues lack of aggression in loss
– Mauricio Pochettino saw his Tottenham Hotspur side surrender ground in the race for a Champions League place and then demanded more aggression from his players in their final two Premier League games.
The Spurs manager remained phlegmatic following a dramatic 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion that came with a late, scrambled stoppage-time goal.
But he admitted his side had been missing vital ingredients in attack after they handed West Brom a victory that helped ensure they ended the day still in hope of
West Bromwich
avoiding relegation after Southampton failed to win when conceding a stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw away to Everton in Saturday’s late kick-off.
“We miss a little bit of aggression with the ball,” said Pochettino.
“We dominated, but if you are not clinical in front of goal it’s always open.”
West Brom’s win was thanks to a scruffy goal in stoppage time, with Jake Livermore (right) claiming the final touch as he and defender Danny Rose stretched to reach the ball in a frantic scramble.
However, Spurs will continue to have a say in their own destiny as they face home games in the final week of the season against Newcastle and Leicester – two sides with little to play for.
Aside from Champions League concerns, Pochettino found himself fielding questions about two Belgian defenders.
Toby Alderweireld, whose contract dispute with the club shows few signs of being resolved, made just his second Spurs appearance since February and impressed, although his manager was reticent to comment.
“It’s too difficult for me to focus on one player, but he was good,” said the manager.
Meanwhile Pochettino will now assess the fitness of stalwart defender Jan Vertonghen, who limped off with an ankle injury as he denied suggestions Saturday’s surprise result could help stir his side.
“We are fighting for the top four but I don’t believe this is a wake-up call,” he said.
“After 36 games in the Premier League, if we need someone to say ‘we need to give our best, be professional and play with the right attitude’. We need to go deeper and assess why.” –