SHOT his Jekyll and
More grief for Poch as
MAURICIO POCHETTINO is desperately trying to change the perception that Tottenham are still flaky in the big moments.
Gary Neville drew their fire when he called Spurs out for being “spineless, soft and pathetic for 30 years” earlier this season after defeat by Manchester City. And when opportunities slip by like they did at Turf Moor it’s hard not to wonder whether Tottenham will EVER turn into the team that Pochettino so passionately wants them to be.
Ten days after a classy destruction of Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League they lose 2-1 at Burnley.
It always feel like one step forward and two back with Spurs.
And defeat by Sean Dyche’s storm-troopers perfectly summed up the world of pain from which it seems there’s no escape for Tottenham.
The agony of Pochettino’s suffering was laid bare for all to see in the East Lancashire sunshine yesterday.
We all know Spurs can drive their fans crazy.
But they took Pochettino to the brink of madness against Burnley as their outside hopes of an improbable smash- and- grab Premier League raid ended in dramatic scenes.
Tottenham’s title challenge didn’t just go up in smoke – it exploded in spectacular style with the frustration catapulting Pochettino and his loyal assistant Jesus Perez into an end-of-match confrontation with referee Mike Dean which will lead to an FA investigation.
Sure, there were officiating gripes that would have annoyed Pochettino, notably the mistaken award of a corner which led to Burnley’s first goal by Chris Wood.
And a Phil Bardsley tackle on Danny Rose only produced yellow when some referees might have flashed red.
But his set-to with Dean at the final whistle caught the Spurs boss out.
The South American has been consistently playing down
The day had begun well for the Spurs boss with main man Harry Kane fit enough to start after missing seven games with an ankle injury.
But Pochettino knew this game had danger written all over it, with Burnley now unbeaten in eight League games since the start of the year. He wasn’t wrong.
There were moments early