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Conversation Corner: Post-match Interviews, Tottenham Hotspur Lose 1-2 to R.S.C. Anderlecht

By Alexander Balano

Jul 27, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino speaks during an All-Star press conference at Grand Hyatt. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino speaks during an All-Star press conference at Grand Hyatt. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tottenham Hotspur is here to reflect on a disappointing loss against Belgian club, R.S.C. Anderlecht, in the Europa League.

Obviously the game started off well, probably too well with an early goal. But soon after, the team fell into their all too obvious shtick. “That’s so Spursy” as it’s known. Score goals — when they can, which isn’t a lot — and then concede the same amount or more to either draw or lose a game they should have won in the first place. Positives will be taken from this game, like they should in every game despite a loss, or draw, but this is a game that Tottenham should have won. Now they have to win the return leg if they want to secure one of the top two spots in Group J and advance to the knockout stage and into the Round of 32. Otherwise they’ll be out of another competition.

Here’s Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino:

View image | gettyimages.com

Spurs TV: So post-match here in Anderlecht with Mauricio Pochettino. Mauricio, very disappointing, a 2-1 defeat tonight. What were your thoughts on the game?

Mauricio Pochettino: Yes very disappointed. I think that when you start a game very well and you score 1-0 and we create some clear chances to score two or three goals. And how they [Anderlecht] changed the game after we concede on set pieces. First chance, and they score and after another clear chance for them. On how we lose the focus on the game? Oh you always pay, you always pay, because they changed the game, the dynamic. And we need to learn, we need to learn about that. We are very upset about the results, very disappointed. But we need to take positive things and we need to learn, we need to learn that we need to kill the game. We need to play two halves every game and when you lose your focus, you’ll pay on the pitch.

STV: What did you think was the turning point of the game?

MP: I’m sorry?

STV: What did you think was the turning point of the game? After we started well, what turned the game in Anderlecht’s favor?

MP: Yes, I think we’ve played this before. We start to play in a very slow tempo and we concede after coming back into the game. And in two actions, from set pieces, one is a corner and another big chance for them. And it was difficult to come back in the game and play like we start to play. But we were very aggressive from the beginning, we score — when you believe that the game is easy or seems easy in football, never, never. And I think this was the key.

RELATED: How Spurs Lost: Away at Anderlecht

Up next is attacking midfielder, Josh Onomah:

View image | gettyimages.com

Spurs TV: So post-match here in Anderlecht. Josh Onomah is with us. Josh, mixed emotions for you tonight, I guess.

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Josh Onomah: Yeah definitely mixed emotions. Obviously disappointed with the loss but obviously happy to come on and try to make an impact. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t score another in the last minute.

STV: For you, as a young player, what did you feel like when you got the call to come on?

JO: A mix of buzz and a bit of nerves, but I was ready though. Been waiting to come on, and I’m happy that it’s come today and hopefully it’s the first of many of the season.

STV: Definitely, I mean we’ve seen you before in the FA Cup, the first time in the Europa League. How tough is it to come into an atmosphere like that especially when we’re 2-1 down?

JO: Yeah definitely it’s quite hard, but the away fans were roaring. But at the same time, I’m excited to, like, come on and try to make an impact. So hopefully next time I’ll make an impact, either to score or assist.

STV: And for you I guess it’s just a case of carry on and working hard?

JO: Yeah definitely. Got training tomorrow so start from there again and hopefully I’ll  get my chance in.

It’s good to see that Josh Onomah got a chance to play for Tottenham this past Thursday. But in order for Spurs to not lose another game in the Europa League. Mauricio Pochettino will have to pick a strong lineup from now on and hope that his starting eleven, and bench, can get the job done. Josh Onomah might be on the bench for the remaining Europa League games, or he might not, it’ll depend on circumstances.

Next: Tottenham Hotspur Links: 10/24/2015 Late Morning and Early Afternoon Edition

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