HARRY STYLES IT OUT Winks: I changed my training regime after a chat with Jose
TOTTENHAM v WOLVES
HARRY WINKS says a private pep talk from Jose Mourinho has sparked his resurgence at Tottenham.
When the Portuguese coach replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the Spurs hot seat last November, Winks was apprehensive.
For starters, he had never played for any manager other than the sacked Argentinian.
Then, after being picked for Mourinho’s opening two victories – over West Ham and Olympiacos – Winks suddenly found himself on the bench at Bournemouth.
That led to a run of games when he was either hooked in the second half or used as a late sub.
Some might have sulked – but Winks did nothing of the sort.
Brilliant
Instead, he arranged a meeting with Mourinho and was told he had to step up his pace in training to become a permanent fixture in the Tottenham engine room.
Winks took that message on board and has scarcely looked back since. In nine of the last 10 games, the England star has lasted the full 90 minutes.
Acknowledging Mourinho’s unique man-management skills, Winks, 24 last month, said: “The new manager has been brilliant with everybody.
“I’d never had the experience of playing under a new manager. I’d only worked under Pochettino and didn’t know the process of a manager leaving, another coming in.
“From the beginning, I was a little in and out. I had an honest chat with the manager and he told me what I needed to do.
“It wasn’t anything too in-depth – just an honest conversation, which I respect massively.
“It started with my training – just to up my whole level and intensity. I said I agreed and went back and did it.
“Since that conversation, I’ve upped my training levels and had a lot more minutes.
“I’ve been playing regularly, and for me that is all I want – to play 90 minutes every week for Tottenham. In the last couple of months I’ve had that pleasure.
“But like everyone, I still have to earn his trust now because one or two poor performances and I could be back out. I never relax in that sense.”
It has been an impressive turnaround by Winks – but not one universally recognised.
That, though, is often the way in the English game with the importance of the holding, possession-based midfielder going under the radar.
Asked if we fully appreciate his breed in this country, the
Three Lions ace, with six caps, added: “I don’t think we do.
“Everybody talks about players like Paul
Scholes, Michael
Carrick... but people like Carrick get a lot of recognition after they retire. They are more players’ players.
“Every team needs goalscorers, attacking players, players who can sweep up a ball – but every team needs the link between defence and attack.”
The good news for Spurs ahead of a crunch fortnight is that Winks is feeling fitter than ever.
After today’s home league clash against top-four rivals Wolves, the north Londoners host Norwich in the FA Cup and a week later go to Germany, needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
Injury
Expect Winks to be involved in all three matches. The ankle injury sustained in April 2017, which required several operations, still plays up but not enough to prevent him playing.
He added: “I’ve realised what pains I can play with and which pains to be more pragmatic about.
“We”re still in the FA Cup, still in the race for the top four and, of course, the Champions League. It will be a difficult ask to do well in all three – but that’s our aim.”