Conversation Corner: Tottenham Cruise to a 3-0 Win Over Norwich
Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino didn’t sign any backup striker or center-back and yet he walked away with, not only a 3-0 win but a brace from Harry Kane and a clean sheet that Kevin Wimmer had a hand in. That means, the Argentine’s gamble has paid off following the close of the winter transfer window.
Other moves that are working have been giving minutes to Nacer Chadli and Son Heung-min after their recent performances during the FA Cup’s third round replay against Leicester City. Also, not to mention taking Érik Lamela out of the starting lineup after his form has dropped a bit, instead of hoping that he snaps out of it eventually.
Spurs TV: Okay Mauricio’s here. Mauricio, fine winner at Carrow Road. Never the easiest place to come, and we did all the damage in the first half. It was an excellent performance.
Mauricio Pochettino: “Yes excellent performance. I’m very pleased, the effort was fantastic. And I think the early goal helped us.”
“But in the end I think that we fully deserve the result and we need to feel proud for our players because they show up. And the performance, and the effort was fantastic from the very beginning.”
STV: Was the message to go out there and go out there early and get straight into them?
MP: “Yes it’s true. And you know, in football always, you need to show that you want to win from the beginning. And I think the effort was fantastic because this was our plan to be aggressive from the first ball.”
“And after the team show maturity and show consistency and see that we are still very young. But in the way that we improve, and I think that we need to feel proud.”
STV: The second half, I’m sure you’ll be very happy with the second half. It was a different performance: we contained them, we didn’t — I mean they had more possession but we didn’t really give them many chances.
MP: “It’s true, it’s true. Sometimes you need to play in different — in the same game — in a different way. And it’s true that the clean sheet is very important for us.”
“And the way that we manage the second half was fantastic too, we need to analyze. But it’s important sometimes to show maturity, how the team show today.”
STV: First Premier League start for Kevin alongside Toby. Clean sheet. Were you pleased with him?
MP: “Very pleased with him. It’s not easy to play, he’s very young. We’re very sad with for the injury of Jan.”
“But it’s important when we repeat always, that the squad is very important. The player need to work very hard, need to be involved and feel part with the players on the bench or on the squad.”
“And for that, it’s fantastic in the way that he play and showed very good skill and maturity. Was calm. And I think we are very happy with his performance. Only now he need to play in the same way and keep working hard. And I think we feel very pleaed for him.”
STV: And just the last one, Dele came off at half-time. Just feeling a little dizzy, was he?
MP: “Yes, was dizzy. He felt unwell and with advice from our doctor we take the decision to sub with Nacer Chadli.”
“And you know, always is better not take a risk but now he feels much better and I think it’s not a serious problem.”
Next: Tottenham One Step Closer to Groundsharing Wembley
This wraps up another edition of Conversation Corner. Up next, Tottenham face Watford this Saturday (February 6th) at White Hart Lane and will be looking to add another win to their current three-game winning streak. And hoping to improve their overall record to close the gap to Leicester City and first place.