Spurs eye a spurt
Pochettino looks for an upturn in Premier League form
LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino will hope Tottenham Hotspur’s success in topping their Champions League group will fire up a faltering English Premier League campaign.
The 3-0 victory over Apoel Nicosia on Wednesday ensured Pochettino’s side ended the group stage three points clear of Real Madrid.
By contrast, their efforts to improve on their domestic title challenges of the last two seasons have stalled badly and Spurs welcome Stoke to Wembley today searching for their first win in five Premier League games.
Last weekend’s draw at Watford came on the back of defeat at Leicester while Pochettino’s side continue to struggle to make Wembley feel like home.
They head into the weekend round of fixtures in sixth place, 18 points adrift of leaders Manchester City with their main focus now trained on closing the four point gap to fourth place.
Dele Alli’s struggle to find his form of last season has been just one of the factors in Spurs inconsistent campaign.
The England midfielder hopes the momentum built up during the European campaign can carry over into their league form.
“We’re a very confident side and are disappointed when we don’t win games,” said Alli.
“It’s important that as a team we stay together and keep building.”
Fernando Llorente made the most of a rare starting opportunity against Apoel to score his first goal for the club since his move from Swansea in August. Although the 32-year-old veteran knows he will make way for Harry Kane at the weekend and return to the bench, he hopes his career can now kick on in North London.
“I needed it (the goal) for my confidence,” he told the club’s website.
“I work very hard to give the best performance I can.
“It’s been hard because in the last games I’ve had good chances. I’ve been a little unlucky.
“It’s been a difficult moment for me because I need to score for my confidence.”