Conversation Corner: Tottenham Soar Past Crystal Palace
Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino
After getting a very satisfying result over Leicester City in both team’s third round replay in the FA Cup, Mauricio Pochettino and his squad couldn’t rest on their laurels just yet. There is still plenty of football to be played and the next game was as important as keeping Tottenham’s FA Cup hopes alive.
A couple of changes were made for this game against Crystal Palace with both full-backs being swapped: Danny Rose for Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier for Kyle Walker. And Son Heung-min for Érik Lamela. This is to give some much needed rest for three players, and in a way continue a healthy competition between all six players for starts.
Let’s now read what Mauricio Pochettino had to say about the game’s result.
Spurs TV: So here at Crystal Palace with Mauricio. Mauricio, fantastic result today, 3-1, what were you thoughts on the performance?
Mauricio Pochettino: “Yes, very pleased. I think the effort was fantastic, 1-0 down in the first half and we sorted some problem.”
“And I think the second half, we fully deserved the result after 95 minutes. A lot of fantastic goals and I think it was great. It was great, the result.”
STV: And you made a key substitution when we were 1-0 down. You brought on Nacer Chadli for Eric Dier. What was the thinking behind that and do you feel it paid off in the end?
MP: “Yes, you know, I decided to take off Eric and we wanted to put more offensive players and play more attacking and have more options. I think it was good and after 95 minutes I think we fully deserved the result and it’s fair.”
“I’m happy. I’m very pleased for the effort because after Wednesday, FA Cup against Leicester, and the effort from the squad is fantastic.”
STV: We have to ask you about Dele Alli’s goal, it was some strike wasn’t it?
MP: “No, it was a fantastic goal. I think we have a lot of prize because it was a great great great great goal.”
STV: And we mustn’t forget Nacer as well. It was a brilliant goal from him too.
MP: “Brilliant goal too. And very happy for him. Very happy.”
STV: And obvioulsy Jan was unlucky with the own goal in the first half. He came off injured in the second half as well, was there any updates on him?
MP: “Yes we’re going to wait. Wait tomorrow, just as him. And we hope that it’s not a big problem. But as you know, it’s better to wait before saying anything because we have to assess him.”
STV: But in all in all, a great win to end a great week.
MP: “Yes great week and important win today in a difficult stadium and pitch. And I think it was fantastic.”
The third interviewee is Austrian center-back, Kevin Wimmer.
Next: Kevin Wimmer