LONDON • Tottenham may not be enjoying the best of "circumstances" owing to a raft of injuries and a packed fixture schedule, but Mauricio Pochettino has called for one last push from his stretched side.
Spurs' participation in next season's Champions League will be guaranteed for the fourth year running if they emerge with a victory at Bournemouth in their penultimate Premier League game today.
And, while Pochettino will have to travel with a squad that are thin on the ground - Harry Winks, Harry Kane, Erik Lamela and Serge Aurier are all injured - the Argentinian wants his players to "focus on our job and deliver".
Ahead of their trip to Dean Court, he said: "The problem now is it's a decisive period for us. It's a key moment. Playing the second leg of the semi-final (against Ajax next Wednesday) and playing (today) against Bournemouth.
"Now it's not to talk too much. Finishing in the top four is our priority, too."
However, he may also have to do without Jan Vertonghen after the Belgium international suffered a clash of heads with teammate Toby Alderweireld in their midweek 1-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg loss to the Dutch outfit.
Although Spurs were relieved after the diagnosis ruled out concussion, which would have placed his appearance in next week's second leg in Amsterdam in jeopardy, "the specialist has recommended that the player undertakes a brief period of rehabilitation before returning to training".
CRUNCH TIME
The problem now is it's a decisive period for us... Now it's not to talk too much. Finishing in the top four is our priority, too.
MAURICIO POCHETTINO, Tottenham manager, on their upcoming matches.
But Pochettino does not want to use their injury list as an excuse, with the 47-year-old aiming to end the term on a high with his first trophy as a manager.
In an interview with Gary Lineker for the BBC's Premier League show, he said while he was "in football because it's my passion, he also wanted to win".
Pochettino added: "We need trophies and we need to fight for big things, to have the opportunity to win the Champions League and Premier League.
"We finished the training ground and built a new stadium, but now we must be focused, all together, on winning titles."
Spurs have yet to lift any silverware since their 2008 League Cup triumph. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
BOURNEMOUTH V TOTTENHAM
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 7.30pm
Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa shines against Fulham Maurizio Sarri's side took the lead through Gonzalo Higuain before Calum Chambers equalised at Craven Cottage.
Premier League: Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa
Football Athletics Rugby Golf Others Pogba deletes cryptic post after Mourinho axed Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba quickly deleted a controversial social media post of him smiling
Pogba deletes cryptic post after Mourinho axed - SuperSport
adtest.supersport.com/football/premier-league/news/181219/Pogba_deletes_cryptic_post_after_Mourinho_axed
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba quickly deleted a controversial social media post of him smiling after manager Jose Mourinho was sacked by the club on Tuesday. Mourinho was dismissed on Tuesday after United's worst start in 28 years left them trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by 19 points.
'Caption this': Pogba deletes cryptic post after Mourinho axed
Aubameyang brace gives Arsenal win over Burnley Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals in Saturday's 3-1 home win over struggling Burnley.
Premier League: Mauricio Pochettino Loses His Cool As
Lionel Messi was short of fitness and Barcelona lacked spark as a goalless draw away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday offered fresh hope to their rivals in the title race. A thigh injury had limited Messi to 27 minutes against Real Madrid on Wednesday and while he played the full match at San Mames
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino fears Harry Kane could miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury sustained against Manchester City. The striker had to be helped down the tunnel by Spurs
Kane could be out for the season, says Pochettino - Soccer News
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for his behaviour at the end of the 2-1 defeat at Burnley. The Argentine angrily confronted
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino charged with improper
Jose Mourinho rules himself out of Benfica job | Sports News
Emery won't shift blame to men for Wolves debacle. Sports World. Xavier strikes against odds. Focus on backstroke puts Bradley on front foot. Star-studded field for world para swim meet.
Gunners must do better away: Emery - theworldnews.net
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 25, 2019, with the headline ''No issue' with faith in youth'. Print Edition | Subscribe. Topics:
Youth Groups Driving Christian Teens to Abandon Faith
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed his players as 'giants' after amazing win We played against maybe the best team in world. Winning is difficult but winning with a clean sheet, I don't
'These Boys Are Giants': Klopp Salutes Liverpool Heroes - The
0 comments:
Post a Comment