Dale no surprise
IT may be a game he wanted to avoid, but Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino was the first to admit that Rochdale fully deserved their chance to play against his side at Wembley.
Spurs looked to be picking up victory at the Crown Oil Arena when Harry Kane scored a late penalty, but Steven Davies netted in stoppage time to earn his team the dramatic draw.
Pochettino wasn’t surprised by how his League One opponents played in the game, and he admits that Keith Hill’s side warranted a replay.
“We are not complaining because they deserved to go and play at Wembley. I think after Harry scored we all believed the tie was won,” he said.
“I was not surprised by Rochdale’s performance. This competition is completely differently.
“Newport gave us a fantastic game and they lost their next game in the league 5-0.
“It’s good news that we are going to play a replay at Wembley. It was a difficult game, just like it was at Newport.
“This type of game is so difficult and we have to be careful how we assess the performance.
“It’s the magic of the competition.
“We gave our best and tried to win but I repeat, it’s not easy to compete in these circumstances. In the first half it was very disappointing that we conceded a goal in the last moment. It wasn’t a bad performance but we conceded.
“In the second half we increased our level and I think we deserved it, but that is football. We’re still alive in the competition and that’s most important. I was so calm on the bench because I know very well what happens if you believe the tie is over. We concede two clear chances, one was nearly a goal and one was a goal. The FA Cup is magic. We have another opportunity at Wembley.
“The motivation is always massive. It’s not easy to play this type of game. Of course we wanted to win but we have the possibly to win.
“We have all the squad fit and it will be another game to provide players with the chance to compete on Wembley and we have the possibility to reach the quarter finals.
“The pitch very good at Rochdale. I’m happy because I think it was a great game and I think the pitch helped to make that for both teams. We are alive after a difficult day..”
Pochettino was pleased to hand big money signing Lucas Moura his debut at Spotland following a January move from PSG.
And he hinted that Moura’s name would be among the starters for Wednesday’s replay.
“It was a good start – he still needs some more training but I think he is going to help the team,” said the Spurs chief.
“He has good quality, he scored a good goal and he is working very hard to try to be fit. The replay will be a good opportunity for him to start in the team.”
Whether or not England star Dele Alli starts is in the balance, but either way Dale boss Keith Hill was pragmatic about the midfielder’s tumble which earned Spurs a late penalty on Sunday.
“If a centre-forward or midfield player feels as though there is a penalty opportunity to be gained... brilliant – whether it is Dele Alli, Steve Davies, Ian
‘We are not complaining because they deserved to go and play at Wembley’
Henderson, Andy Cannon it doesn’t really matter,” said Hill. “I won’t hold it against him and if he does it for England in the summer and we win the World Cup I will certainly be supporting him.”