Ajax can put their feet up, but we have to take on this lot
POCHETTINO SAYS IT IS NOT FAIR HAVING TO TAKE ON BITTER LOCAL RIVALS WEST HAM JUST THREE DAYS BEFORE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SHOWDOWN
MAURICIO POCHETTINO insists it is “not fair” that Tottenham face a huge London derby ahead of their Champions League semi final – while opponents Ajax get the weekend off.
The Dutch League have moved an entire round of fixtures to help Ajax get 10 days to prepare for their European showdown at White Hart Lane on Tuesday.
But Spurs will build up to their biggest game in years by facing bitter rivals West Ham this afternoon with their top-four place still on the line.
And boss Pochettino admits he can not afford to give even his biggest players a rest.
In fairness, the Premier League have moved some games “where possible”– which includes switching Tottenham’s clash with Bournemouth to the Saturday before the return leg in Amsterdam – but there is no formal arrangement and it is bound by the TV companies.
Pochettino said: “It’s always better to have time, to focus today on Tuesday’s game because you’re not preparing for a league game. Like for us, after Man City, we are thinking about trying to beat West Ham not Ajax – it’s completely different.
“We start thinking about Ajax after the game tomorrow.
“That is an advantage, sometimes, yes, and sometimes it’s a disadvantage because you have too much time to prepare. I will tell you after the game.
“What is true is the reality that they are going to avoid taking risks, but we are going to take risks competing three days before the game in a game you must win if you want to be in the top four next season. And you are fighting for big things and it is an emotional game because it is against West Ham. “I know the Premier League and the FA tried to help us to prepare for the semi-final. The Premier League is completely different to the Dutch league. “Football in Europe is completely different to England. The fact or the reality is they’re going to have more time to prepare and avoid risk. “When you play Saturday and you must play Tuesday, and you compete in a derby game
playing for big things, the concentration and effort is massive. You can always have some problems. But it’s not a complaint. Only the fact that I think it’s not fair.”
Pochettino tried to be super positive ahead of his big week, even insisting that it was a big opportunity for players in his squad. Forgotten striker Vincent Janssen (left) came on for his first appearance since August 2017 against Brighton and should be in the squad again. Pochettino reiterated his hope that injured striker Harry Kane could be fit for the Champions League Final if they get there.
But Heung-Min Son is set to face West Ham because he is suspended for the first leg against Ajax and fellow forward Fernando Llorente is back in favour. Pochettino added: “You need all players to have the confidence to have the possibility to compete. That experience from the past is so important for today when you have key players injured. That is why we are now in that position.
“There’s nothing to say that we’ve done wrong, but sometimes it’s so important for people to understand.
“When people don’t expect us to rotate or play with different players, you can arrive in a decisive moment with players who have not had the possibility of playing in important games before then and then how do you play? You expect them to put on a high-level performance. If you don’t show the confidence from the first day, why would you ask later for the players to have confidence?
“That’s what players don’t like, it’s what the people don’t like and that’s when you lose your credibility.
“That’s why it’s so important to manage.”