‘Go out and keep winning’

– Tottenham Hotspur’s delayed move into their new stadium has been disappointing for supporters but the players can ease the frustration by improving on a winning start in the Premier League, manager Mauricio Pochettino (above) said this week.

The north London club were initially scheduled to play their first game at the new 62 000-capacity White Hart Lane venue on September 15 against Liverpool but safety issues meant they were forced to switch the game, along with the next home fixture, to Wembley Stadium.

“I understand that everyone is disappointed but our job is to try to help, to be positive, to adapt ourselves,” Pochettino told reporters ahead of today’s league visit of Slavisa Jokanovic’s newly promoted Fulham to England’s national stadium.

“We are going to play a few games more – Liverpool and Cardiff (City) – hope they can finish all the work in that moment and then start to play in our new home.

“If that is not possible we will give our best to try and win games, be positive. I think we need to be all together. My message last week was that we need to be together, that our fans understand.”

Spurs, who finished third last season, kicked off their new campaign with a 2-1 away victory over Newcastle United last weekend.

When asked whether it will be difficult for his squad to feel settled due to uncertainty over the stadium, Pochettino said: “I am not going to put up an excuse. The most important thing is to take responsibility and we are responsible about our performance.”

Spurs played all their home matches at Wembley last season and lost just twice, against Chelsea and Manchester City.

“In football, more than other business, football is about faith, belief and we must be positive whether we play in one or other place,” he added.

Spurs confirmed that Erik Lamela, Josh Onomah and Harry Winks are back in training ahead of the clash against Fulham, who lost their opening game against Crystal Palace.

They are, however, without winger Son Heung-min, who is doing duty for South Korea in the Asian Cup. – Reuters

London

If that is not possible we will give our best to try and win games, be positive.

Mauricio Pochettino Tottenham Hotspur manager