Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham Showed Character to Come Back
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino oversaw a bad performance but was pleased with the result as his side came back to earn a vital point.
Just like his players before him, Mauricio Pochettino was happy to talk about Tottenham’s character to come from behind and secure a point on the road against Manchester City.
Though honestly speaking, he knows that Man City were the better side despite the final result.
“To be honest, I think they were better,” Pochettino admitted.
“In the first half they played much better than us and we didn’t play in the way we normally play, but sometimes it’s difficult to keep the momentum and play the way we normally play.”
“It was a big challenge for us. We conceded two goals and the important thing, the positive is the massive impact of taking one point.”
“The belief and character we showed was fantastic and it’s for that [reason] I’m pleased, not the performance because we didn’t play in the way we wanted to play, but it’s important sometimes when you cannot play your best to believe and this was a fantastic opportunity to show that.”
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Playing at a high level is a difficult thing to do as winning streaks eventually come to an end. After all, Spurs have ended two team’s unbeaten runs this season (Man City and Chelsea).
There’s no way that Tottenham would be immune to a drop-off in production themselves.
Still, there should be nothing but high praise for the result like Mauricio Pochettino said.
While Saturday’s draw became their seventh of the season, Spurs have managed to keep ahold of a good position in the league table.
Had it not been for some crucial draws earlier in the year when Tottenham trailed against Everton, Liverpool, West Brom, and Arsenal, Spurs would be sitting in fifth place and not third.
Right now they 46 points after 22 matches played, if you take away those four draws mentioned above, Liverpool (45) and Man City (43) would be sitting above Spurs.
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So again, a draw isn’t bad. Even more so when it’s from a losing position.
In other news, Pochettino was able to discuss Toby Alderweireld and Érik Lamela’s status after the Belgian defender was forced to leave because of a hamstring injury, while Lamela received a scan on Friday.
Not surprisingly, Alderweireld’s injury isn’t bad. He shouldn’t be gone for too long.
“He felt tight in his hamstring but I don’t believe it’s a big issue,” Pochettino said. “We’ll know better in a few days but it doesn’t look bad.”
As for Érik Lamela, he’s doing much better: “The result was the same so now it’s about how he adapts his programme,” Mauricio Pochettino added.
“Now he’ll start to run. It’s positive, now it’s about building his fitness and to try to challenge the pain he feels in his hip, but I think this will be positive.”
With both players doing good following a scan (Lamela) and a precautionary substitution (Alderweireld), Jan Vertonghen remains as the only player to be sidelined for a pre-determined set of weeks — per Pochettino he could be back in six weeks as opposed to two months.
Next: Tottenham Players React to 2-2 Draw with Man City
Against Wycombe Wanderers this upcoming Saturday in the FA Cup’s fourth round, Toby Alderweireld, Érik Lamela and Jan Vertonghen would have been rested if Mauricio Pochettino wanted to focus on the Premier League only.
Depending on Pochettino’s stance to go on a deep cup run, some regular starters might play but at the same time, Spurs’ bench should be more than enough to advance into the fifth round.