LONDON • 'Tis the season to be jolly and Mauricio Pochettino has urged fans to be more positive and cheer on Tottenham despite their lack of summer spending, saying that he wants to change perceptions of the club.
Speaking at a pre-match conference ahead of today's Premier League match at Everton, the Spurs manager said: "If we don't sign in January, people say we are going to struggle - it's all negative.
"They don't say, 'Tottenham didn't sign anyone because they believe they have the tools to maybe challenge for the title.'
"The doubt is always negative, never positive. We need to fight with this perception and to be proud of the team."
Despite all of their rivals spending in pre-season in their bid to win the league title, Spurs did not sign a single player - the first time a Premier League club failed to do so since the inception of the transfer window in 2003.
The club are also unlikely to spend when the window opens next month owing mainly to fees being used to build their new stadium.
Pochettino added that it was a shame that people criticised the arrival of Paulo Gazzaniga from Southampton last year, after the goalkeeper proved doubters wrong during the 2-0 League Cup win over Arsenal in midweek.
GLASS HALF-FULL
If we don't sign players people say we are going to struggle - it's all negative. They don't say, 'Tottenham didn't sign anyone because they believe they have the tools to maybe challenge for the title.'
MAURICIO POCHETTINO, Spurs manager, hits back at the doubters who question the club's recent lack of transfer activity.
"Look at the case of when we signed Paulo Gazzaniga, people criticise, 'Oh, he signed the third keeper'," the Argentinian said.
"The perception was, 'Oh, we cannot announce the player from Southampton because it looks like we don't have ambition.'
"It's a shame, because after 11/2 years, Paulo kept a clean sheet in the derby against Arsenal for the first time at the Emirates and he was fantastic."
Despite Spurs' lack of signings, the club have enjoyed their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign and are likely title contenders.
But Pochettino agreed that the title race was developing into a two-horse race - such is the form of the two teams above them.
"(Manchester) City and Liverpool are at the top. It is normal they're the two big candidates to win the Premier League," he said.
"Today, it's impossible to say if we are going to have the chance to fight for the title. The most important thing is to have the faith that we can compete."
Still, Spurs could close the gap in the festive season. After Liverpool's win over Wolves on Friday, Tottenham trail the leaders by nine points and City, who were shocked 3-2 by Crystal Palace, by five points.
But Liverpool face a tough run of festive fixtures with Arsenal at home on Dec 29 followed by a trip to City on Jan 3. Spurs in contrast, face a relatively easier time against Bournemouth, Wolves and Cardiff before New Year's Day.
Pochettino was also asked if he was eager to win his first trophy since he was appointed in 2014, with Spurs having made it to the League Cup semi-finals.
"Closer? I think it's a long way still," said the 46-year-old, who is contracted to Tottenham till 2023.
"I think we're playing against Chelsea over two legs and of course it's going to be our fourth or fifth semi-final in 41/2 years.
"But we're so far away. There's a lot of work to do."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
EVERTON V TOTTENHAM
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 11.55pm
Mohamed Salah scored a brilliant solo goal as Liverpool came from behind to beat Southampton at St Mary's and return to the top of the Premier League. Liverpool were in danger of dropping vital
Liverpool beat Southampton 3-1 to return to top of Premier
The Manchester City Football School program is packed full of activities to keep the students occupied and entertained during their stay. On a typical day, the children will have breakfast at the residence before taking a private bus to the training grounds of Manchester City Football Club.
Manchester City FC | Official Website, Latest News, Players
Soccer: Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton 1-0 win at Brighton. 2 Min Read. Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Southampton - The American Express Community Stadium
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Southampton - Football Match
Read more about Bologna earn 'miracle' Serie A survival in six-goal Lazio thriller on Business Standard. Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic hailed his team for pulling off a "miracle" to secure their top flight survival with a 3-3 draw at Lazio on Monday enough to keep the northerners in Serie A next season.It was a vital point for Bologna who have been
Bologna earn 'miracle' Serie A survival in six-goal Lazio
Reds will 'attack as a team' Liverpool's Mohamed Salah can count on his defensive teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson to bomb forward against Barcelona in hope of chipping in
Reds will 'attack as a team' - theworldnews.net
Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win. Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Cardiff City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - March 2, 2019
Football news - Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight
Home United snap Albirex Niigata's title-winning streak
Rival fans in Singapore believe title race still wide open
Feb 01, 2019 · Almoez Ali scored with a spectacular overhead kick for a record ninth goal of the Asian Cup to set Qatar on their way to a first continental title with a stunning 3-1 win over four-times champions
Football: PSG thrash Dijon in first outing since Champions
LONDON (REUTERS) - The search for Cardiff City's new football star, Emiliano Sala, resumed on Wednesday (Jan 23) 36 hours after the light aircraft he was flying on disappeared in the English Channel..
Hopes fade for football star Emiliano Sala as rescuers search
The victory was in a Round of 16 first leg match and it had Paul Pogba being sent off late in the game. PSG take charge with 2-0 win at Manchester United, Football; PSG take charge with 2
PSG take charge with 2-0 win at United, Pogba sent off
- Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has ruled himself out of the vacant job at Benfica, saying he has no intention of coaching in his native Portugal for the time being.
Jose Mourinho lands punditry role as he rules himself out of
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen