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

LONDON (Reuters) - Investigators searching for a lost plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala said on Wednesday an underwater search would begin after they found two seat cushions on the French coast that likely belonged to the aircraft. The 28-year-old Argentina-born forward had
Football news - Emiliano Sala: Plane cushions found in search

The FA have slammed England supporters who were involved in violent scenes in Porto on Wednesday night as 'an embarrassment to the team'. Three fans were arrested after violent scenes saw England
Violent England fans an embarrassment to the team and not

When it comes to dating, many of us shuffle the cards and play the game. We just can't help ourselves… the chase can be an addiction. Playing hard to get is a flirtatious, natural, fun
When Should You Play Hard to Get? | Psychology Today

And in Madrid this morning, Klopp completed his journey with a 2-0 victory over a Spurs side that boasted seven members of the same starting XI who took to the park for his first outing in red.
Jurgen Klopp the most important figure at Liverpool, says

All eyes on Milan clash for Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri Made In Chelsea fans delight as original stars Millie Mackintosh and Caggie Dunlop reunite for a 30th but fume over 'wellness
Injury wrap: Big calls loom for Tigers ahead of huge clash

Eden Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw Eden Hazard spared the under-fire Sarri's blushes with his thunderous stoppage-time equaliser, but it was still a frustrating day for the
Football: Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw

Wigan 0 Everton 1: Tim Cahill heads late winner as Toffees extend splendid run. 'In Germany when I win, after the game I am half p****d, but I didn't even get a water!':
West Ham 0-2 Everton RESULT - Toffees win at London Stadium

Liverpool stun Barcelona to overcome deficit and reach UCL final and advancing to their second successive final with a 4-3 aggregate victory. to decide if Liverpool or Tottenham will win
UEFA Champions League: Liverpool oust Barcelona after

Tottenham Hotspur showed why manager Mauricio Pochettino is a wanted man by thrashing Everton 6-2 at Goodison Park yesterday to close to within six points of Tottenham shine to hit Everton for
Pochettino focused on Spurs success after hitting Everton for

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has downplayed Pep Guardiola's suggestion his team is still in the Premier League title race as they prepare to clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
Chelsea not in Premier League title race, says Sarri - World

Lionel Messi, the current Ballon d'Or, saw the football world fall in love with him last season, but this year has left many speechless. His genius is so great that he has become a hero, and
Van Dijk, Messi & Ronaldo lead Champions League Team of the

MANCHESTER UNITED REVEALED on Thursday that sacking Jose Mourinho and his staff cost the club nearly £20 million. The sum of £19.6 million (€22.2 million)) which is listed under "exceptional items" in the club's second-quarter results, includes pay-outs for the members of Mourinho's staff who left with him after he was sacked in December.
Man Utd latest financial results: 6 things you might have

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri (left) and Belgian forward Eden Hazard in a past match [Courtesy] Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri admitted it will be hard to deny Eden Hazard a move to Real Madrid this
pound sterling100m too cheap, but hard to keep hold of Hazard

ABU DHABI (AFP) - Qatar punished unwelcoming hosts United Arab Emirates 4-0 in a politically charged clash marred by disgraceful behaviour from shoe-throwing fans on Tuesday (Jan 29) to reach
Qatar thrash UAE amid shoe barrage to reach Asian Cup final
newburghgazette.com/2019/01/30/qatar-thrash-uae-amid-shoe-barrage-to-reach-asian-cup-final/
A regional boycott of Qatar, led by Saudi Arabia, has impacted the team's logistics at the Asian Cup and made it hard for the country's fans to attend games. Qatar banned products originating from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain, in May 2018.
Qatar thrash UAE amid shoe barrage to reach Asian Cup final
0 comments:
Post a Comment