TOBY’S LOVING LIFE WITH JOSE

NO WAY PAST: Toby Alderweireld stops Gabriel Jesus in his tracks

TOBY ALDERWEIRELD insists nobody at Tottenham is upset about being labelled negative under Jose Mourinho. The Belgium defender claims it is the complete reverse when they hear pundits and punters taking a swipe at their lethal counter-attacking tactics.

After all, with Spurs very much among the Premier League pace-setters before today’s home showdown against Leicester, what is there not to like about life with the Special One?

Certainly, Alderweireld loves being able to mix it among the very best again – and how their straight-talking boss has transformed them from lightweight pretenders to heavyweight contenders.

And those who do not appreciate the significant progress made in the last year can lump it, according to the ex-atletico Madrid centre-half.

Alderweireld said: “We know the way we work, we know what we’re doing every day. So, no, I really don’t care what people think on that matter. It doesn’t bother us.

“The manager is exactly what I thought he’d be. He’s a very honest person who says everything in your face. Even if it’s not nice, he will say it.

“That’s the way to go if you want to be a big team, if you want to get results. That’s the way he needs to be.

“He doesn’t even get the recognition he deserves. He’s a very, very good manager.

“He’s one of the best, maybe the best, at getting results. That’s the most difficult thing in football – getting a result.

“He’s shown everywhere, in every competition, that he can and he did. You have to have a lot of respect for him.

“He makes us a team, to have a goal and do everything in our powers to reach that goal.”

Spurs have slipped off top spot after dropping five points in two games, including a 2-1 defeat to champions Liverpool on Wednesday.

That was their first reverse in 12 outings in all competitions but Mourinho later suggested Harry Kane and Co deserved all three points at Anfield.

Alderweireld was a little more diplomatic.

“We know that Liverpool are very good team, playing very well. They put us under pressure,” he conceded.

“We had chances to finish the game, to be in front, to win. That’s football. Sometimes you have luck, sometimes you don’t.”