Conversation Corner: Tottenham Hotspur’s Post-match Interviews after A.F.C. Bournemouth Win in the Premier League
Mauricio Pochettino:
Spurs TV: Mauricio’s here. Mauricio, 5-1 at Bournemouth, tell us your thoughts on the game.
Mauricio Pochettino: We started — we conceded a goal. It was the opposite at Anderlecht, and now very pleased after. It was a big big hit but our reaction was fantastic. We fully deserved the results and maybe we created more chances to score.
STV: With what happened at Anderlecht and what you said afterwards, about focus. What were you thinking when we go 1-0 down in one minute?
MP: Now you know football, always, when you speak about the different things: and we need need to be focused, you need to be focused, you need to be focused always and then BAM! *snaps finger* something happen. It’s like Murphy’s Rule, [Murphy’s Law] no? Like Murphy’s Rule, … everything goes worse and this was the problem but the reaction was fantastic and for that we are very happy.
STV: Apart from that first minute, that was probably our most complete performance today wasn’t it?
MP: Yes it’s true. A very difficult stadium and against Bournemouth a team that always try to play along the grass, very aggressive, runs a lot and I think the effort was fantastic. Because the way that we press high and put under pressure them, this is I think the great that we have.
STV: What was the key to it, what was the key to turning it into our win?
MP: Well the key for me, is the way we react after we concede the goal and the mentality was very strong and the way that we play. Because we press very hard and put under pressure on them and we were very clinical in front of the goal.
STV: Now we watch Harry — you watch him everyday, we watch him every game. People away from the club are saying ‘He’s 1 and 6, he’s 1 and 8′ he scored a hat-trick today. We’ve seen — I mean you’ve seen him play everyday, there’s nothing wrong with Harry is there?
MP: No nothing wrong. In football, always we need to understand that some period, like the period that was for Harry, happen. But for him, it’s a very good opportunity for him to learn a lot about the good and the bad things in football. And he can realize who is in behind him and give the energy and believe always. This is important always in football and we are very happy he become a much better player now.
STV: So that’s nine unbeaten in the Premier League now. I mean it’s the hardest league to win in the world and it’s going well isn’t it?
MP: Yes it’s fantastic. But you know in football, it can change quick and for that we need to keep working hard and be focused in every game. And we have one week to prepare the next —
STV: — A whole week to prepare, you won’t know what to do! [laughs]
MP: — [laughs] Yes. No, but we have a very tough week, because we still have to play — the schedule is still horrific. The schedule, because you play Monday and in Premier League, against Aston Villa. And then you play two days after against, Anderlecht, and then two days after, Arsenal. No, but this — nah but it is strange because … for us, as they say “against us” and now we have one, or nine days, free. But after, we play after every two days and this is — but we are strong and our mentality is very very strong; don’t worry about that.
STV: Mauricio, thank you.
MP: Thank you.
Up next is Tottenham defensive midfielder, Eric Dier.
Next: Eric Dier