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Everton vs. Tottenham: Pochettino’s pre-match point of view

By Gary Pearson

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on August 13, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on August 13, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Mauricio Pochettino and company will be glad to see the backside of August, with the club poised to make amends for an inconsistent start.

September marks the start of the Champions League, and Pochettino knows how important it is for his team to do well on Merseyside.

“It’s important now, we are nearly all together after the transfer window,” Pochettino said. “It’s always complicated but from today and tomorrow the players are here and we start to create and build the new dynamic.

“We’ll try to be a strong team with a strong mentality for the whole season.”

When asked if one of Tottenham’s priorities will be stop Wayne Rooney, the gaffer said:

“Well, not only him. He is a great player, a fantastic player, one of the best from the football history in England. We have a lot of respect for him but it’s true that they have a really great squad with great players so we have to remain vigilant.”

Harry Kane scored two goals against Malta on Sept. 1 for the Three Lions, and Pochettino hopes he can achieve the same sort of output with Spurs this month.

“It will be good for him but it will (also) be very good for the team.”

Kane’s next goal will mark his 100th Tottenham tally in all competitions.

Continuing on the England front, the gaffer doesn’t think Dele Alli’s middle finger gesture directed at Kyle Walker is a “big issue”. I tend to agree. The gesture was in jest, and if you ask me, Walker deserves far worse.

“For FIFA it won’t be a big issue, and it’s not a big issue for us.”

On to Serge Aurier, Spurs latest right-back signing. Pochettino is elated about the new signing, as Aurier, even at 24 years of age, offers Tottenham European experience. Aurier competed in the Champions League with PSG and is well-versed in what it takes to win matches at the top level.

Next: Everton vs Tottenham: What to expect from Merseyside

“He will add very good competition for Kieran Trippier,” Pochettino said. “It’s a position we need to improve and I think we are happy. He is still young, 24, has a lot of experience and he is so powerful.”

Aurier is expected to start at Goodison Park on Saturday, a venue Spurs haven’t tasted defeat at since Dec. 9, 2012.