POCH STILL FEELS LOVE FOR SAINTS
Lamela spent 13 months out injured, fearing for his future... now he’s back, a key man for Spurs and he’s loving it
hurts when you are injured. But what got me through it was the desire to get back playing. But I always gave my best, as much as I could, to come back.
“I never stopped thinking about coming back to play or to train. I knew I would come back in the end but, after a long day, after a long time, you don’t always have the energy or motivation to work.
“It makes you appreciate every day that much more. It’s also made me mentally stronger.”
It means this season’s highlights feel even more special. Lamela, who will wear a pair of custom boots this weekend to celebrate the launch of EA’s latest title, Anthem, played a key role from the bench as Spurs snatched an unlikely result in Barcelona in December to reach the knock-out stages and played in both legs against Borussia Dortmund.
Argentine Lamela added: “We have a lot of games and you know that sometimes you will start, sometimes not, but the important thing is to do what you need to do for the team.
“I feel good, now the most important part of the season is coming as we reach the end and I’m working to be ready. We all need to be ready.
“We are very strong mentally, together as a team, we have a very good team and have had a good season in the Premier League. I hope we can go further in the Champions League, too.
“We’ve shown our spirit because we’ve won a lot of games late on – in the last minute.
“We showed our spirit at Fulham away, Watford at home. These are the games that, at the end of the season, the points will be very important.” MAURICIO POCHETTINO claims he wept when he left Southampton and still loves the club before he starts his touchline ban at St Mary’s today.
The Argentinian quit the Saints in 2014. And Spurs can further reduce his popularity by pushing Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side closer to the drop.
But the Tottenham boss, who will sit in the directors’ box as punishment for his confrontation with Mike Dean after losing at Burnley, said: “My wish is for Southampton to finish in a very good way. He [Hasenhuttl, above] is doing a very good job, Southampton have very good players, a very good squad. Of course there were a lot of people disappointed when I left the club and will not forgive me. “But I still love them. A lot of people feel that love. I love Southampton. I spent one-and-a-half years there, I can tell you it was a great experience.
“It is difficult to explain and understand why I left the club. I cried a lot when I left – my family too.
“It was one of the most important periods in my life with my family, that they enjoyed the most.
“That is why it was so tough. People can criticise – why did you leave? – but sometimes you need change in your life.”
Hassenhutl praised the attitude of Saints starlet Yan Valery (left).
The Austrian said: “Yan is a good example of professionalism for young players. On his day off he is still here, working on his deficits, on his heading. It’s exactly what we want.”