‘BEAT PSV OR TITLE HOPES ARE AT EIND’

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has told his Spurs players to forget winning the title if they can not beat PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

The north Londoners are two points off top spot in the Premier League, but are fighting for their lives in Europe after two defeats.

And boss Pochettino (above) admitted defeat is not an option against the Dutch league leaders PSV on Wednesday.

He said: “If we are not capable of winning this type of game we can not win the title.

“We need more. I think we are so competitive over the last four and a half years, but to win a title is the last step, to push the team and club.

“It’s so important the Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven if we want to be alive in the competition.

“It’s a must-win game and we know very well we need to repeat the type of performance we had at West Ham.”

Saturday’s derby win at the Irons means Spurs are enjoying their best start to a Premier League season with seven wins out of their first nine.

Pochettino now wants his side to stay competitive on both fronts. He added: “If we want to grow, if we want to be competitive, if we want one day to be close to winning, to coping with the pressure in football, when you play for a win you need to learn how to manage that pressure.

“Four and a half years ago when they offered me the Tottenham job the idea was to build a team for the Champions League in the moment we arrive in the new stadium.

“This is our third Champions League in a row, one at White Hart Lane, two times at Wembley. We are ahead of the project. We are miles ahead.”