POCH IS STUCK IN A RUT
Boss admits ‘it’s tough’ after humiliating exit
MAurICIo PoCheTTIno admitted his team are stuck in a rut after Tottenham were embarrassed in the Carabao Cup last night by Colchester united of league Two.
spurs lost on penalties after a goalless draw in the third round and have won only twice in eight games this season.
They have not claimed an away win since the Champions league semi-final at Ajax in May. But Pochettino claimed he knew trouble was ahead because of an unsettled pre-season and called for ‘clear and fresh’ minds and unity in order to find a solution against southampton on saturday.
‘We are in a period where it’s a bit tough for us but we keeping working to
find a solution,’ said Pochettino. ‘When this type of thing happens, it’s about staying clear and fresh and calm. We’re trying to find solutions and we only need time. ‘We talked a lot in pre-season. I knew it would be a tough situation. When you have an unsettled squad it’s difficult and you lose time and then you need time to recover. ‘Maybe our performances are good but you need this extra mental connection. We need time again to build that togetherness you need when you are competing at this level.’ Pochettino criticised his players last week for lacking intensity when they threw away a 2-0 lead against Olympiacos in the Champions League. Last night, he said: ‘Today wasn’t a problem with energy. Today was when you are nearly all perfect but you don’t score and it’s because something you miss in the last third. But I am happy. And the way we are going to change the dynamic is by working the way we worked today. The effort was massive.’ Pochettino gave Harry Kane the night off and other first-team stars were on the bench. He started with 17-year-old Troy Parrott at centre forward. Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela came on, but could not find a way through. Eriksen’s penalty was saved in the shootout and Lucas Moura hit the bar. Tom Lapslie scored the winning spot kick to clinch a 4-3 win and send Colchester into the fourth round. ‘That is the beauty of the cups, it can always happen,’ said Pochettino. ‘That’s the universe that is against us today. ‘We are going to have time to fix that. January is going to be a good opportunity to try to fix it. Then the next transfer window.’