ROAD TO NOWHERE
POCH: Disastrous form away to Big Six has cost us the title
MAURICIO POCHETTINO admits Tottenham’s away form against their biggest rivals may have seen the title slip from their grasp in the past two seasons.
Spurs have the best recent record at home in top-six clashes since the Argentinian was appointed manager in 2014, but the worst on their travels.
They have won just one of their last 18 – 2-1 at Manchester City in February 2016 – collecting nine points on the road compared to Liverpool’s 22 in the same period.
Spurs came up just short in the last two title races, ending the campaign as runners-up last term and in third place 12 months earlier.
And ahead of their next big away date, at Liverpool tomorrow, Pochettino said: “That record is why maybe we miss a title, why we don’t win the Premier League.
“We finished second last season, third the season before.
“And of course if in the case we win more games away from home, I’m sure we would win the title.
“But we something to achieve that. Maybe it’s because we are the younger team in the Premier League, maybe we need time to mature.
“There are many reasons why this happens, that we can’t win most of the games we play away from home.”
But Pochettino was keen to point out Spurs are not the only ones suffering Big Six travel sickness.
He said: “In 19 games away from home in the top six, there have been only four victories for the teams away. For everyone, it is a problem.” There are few grounds Spurs have found less profitable than Anfield. They have recorded just two victories there in their 25 Premier League visits – in 1993 and 2011 (left). Pochettino said: “It’s always difficult to play away from home with a top side like Liverpool. “Liverpool is one of the best squads in England and Europe, with a great manager and coaching staff, and the atmosphere will be amazing. They are so tough to play at Anfield – a very, very difficult game for us.
“For me Anfield is one of the most enjoyable 90 minutes. The fans are amazing.
“Of course, the atmosphere will be tough. But these are the types of games you love to play.”
Pochettino blasted his sloppy side when they lost 2-0 at Liverpool last year, having arrived on the back of an 11game unbeaten run.
Almost 12 months on, they head to Merseyside having not lost any of their last nine and buoyed by a convincing 2-0 home win over Manchester United Wednesday.
Pochettino added: “I think the team is more mature and we improve from the previous season.
“The game will be tough but we arrive in a good moment after the victory against Manchester United.”