Conversation Corner: Spurs Top Group J in the Europa League with a 4-1 Win Over AS Monaco
Tottenham Hotspur manager, Mauricio Pochettino
Spurs TV: Okay Mauricio’s here. Mauricio, 4-1 against Monaco and job done. We needed a point, we went out and won it well.
Mauricio Pochettino: Yes very happy, job done, and first in the group. And I’m very happy and very proud. The players showed today a very good performance and we showed that we have a very strong squad.
STV: You told us in the week that the mentality was good and that the players showed that especially in the first half, didn’t they?
MP: Yes the — no I think that the whole game that mentality was great and we showed a winning mentality. And this is the way that we won and this is how we should keep for the whole season.
STV: A few topics to ask you. Number one, Érik Lamela, hat-trick. Fantastic.
MP: Yes. [laughs] Fantastic, yes. As you know, it is always fantastic for the player that scored a hat-trick and it is always a great moment for the player, that today was a great moment for him.
STV: He gets stronger and stronger though in a Spurs’ shirt doesn’t he? He’s doing better and better and better.
MP: Yes, I think it’s… From the beginning of the season, he start to show and improve and his game. And he’s a more consistent player and we are happy for him.
STV: Next subject: Eric Dier. You were saying he came off as a precaution tonight?
MP: Yes he came off for precaution. But he’ll be sure that he is ready to compete Sunday.
STV: Josh Onomah, his first start for Spurs. What did you make of Josh?
MP: Oh very happy for him because he deserve it. Because how he trained and how he developed his game in the last few months from the very beginning of the season. And I think he deserved that.
And we are very happy for him, he’s an 18-year-old, 19-year-old and he’s a great talent from the Academy. And one time more to congratulate to the Academy, to coach John McDermott, is unbelievable with all his staff. And we show one more time the talent that comes from the Academy is great and fantastic and we are very happy for his debut today.
STV: Tom Carroll. First ever Spurs goal.
MP: Yes. It was, I think that I told him he was a fantastic player. He start to show this season, and he’s more consistent, he’s more mature. He has a lot of quality and we are very happy with him and I’m very pleased for him.
STV: Mauricio we’re going to look ahead towards Newcastle now. Back to the Premier League after a good win from the Europa League. What do you think of Newcastle, Mauricio?
MP: Yes we will have a very tough game. Newcastle is coming from the victory against Liverpool last week. And I think they believe more than before. I think the victory gave them more confidence. And it’s for that, I think that we will expect a very tough game again, against a very good side like Newcastle.
STV: You’ve been in football for a long time. You’ve seen highs and lows. When a team like Newcastle, who have been struggling, when they beat someone like Liverpool what does that do to them… When they come here?
MP: Oh it’s very important always for your confidence and believe in your way and believe in yourself. But you know, we need to have the same mentality and the same level of motivation that we showed today. And we need to try to develop our game.
We know that this is a very tough game because they are sure they cannot — and the way they are very aggressive to try and win the game. But we need to work hard, we need to have the same motivation, the same mentality and play under our own philosophy and make sure that we will be ready to compete in a very good game.
STV: Just a final one. We’re 14-matches unbeaten in the Premier League. Do you think teams are now looking at us and upping their game because of what we’re doing? Do you think they’re playing harder against us now?
MP: I don’t know. I always try to be focused on our team and how we can improve our game. And in the way that our opponents see us, is not a big problem for us.
Up next it’s the hat-trick hero, right midfielder Érik Lamela.
Next: Right midfielder, Érik Lamela