Spurs face Newcastle at White Hart Lane on Sunday, with Magpies boss Steve McClaren claiming Pochettino’s men will be serious contenders for the Premier League title if they don’t allow their Europa League campaign to distract them.
Advertisement
With Spurs already through to the knockout stages and needing a draw to top their group, Pochettino indicated he would rest key players, including Kane, who has played every game for the club this season.
Tottenham Hotspur are unbeaten in 14 league games (W6 D8) – their best run in the top-flight since March 1985.
It seems a little early for “must-win” games in the Premier League, especially when the top teams are so tightly bunched, but that is exactly how Harry Kane described Sunday’s home match against Newcastle as he boarded the coach at West Brom last weekend.
The hosts took the lead, but the Bavarians, struggling domestically this season, turned the game around with Hong Jeon-ho, captain Paul Verhaegh and Raul Bobadilla scoring. A point on Thursday evening would be enough to secure top spot, but Monaco need to win and hope Anderlecht fail to see off Qarabag.
This season Pochettino has selected his countryman in Spurs’ starting XI more times than not, with the River Plate youth graduate showing willingness to track back and pitch in for the team.
“We need to keep our feet on the ground, this is the most important thing”.
“It’s fantastic for a player when he scores a hat-trick, always a great moment”, the manager told the club’s official site.
“I think the team played very well and I’m very happy we are high up the table and did well in the Europa League”. Ryan Mason and Alex Pritchard (both ankle) remain sidelined.
However, Spurs have in fact only won six times in 15 matches this season, so they are very hard to beat but not making their very decent play count at times.
Argentine playmaker Lamela, 23, expertly placed all three of his goals beyond visiting goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, who had a night to forget at White Hart Lane. If someone gets injured or suspended, we know another guy can take his place. “He was fantastic”, defender Toby Alderweireld said. They have been defeated 6-1 at Manchester City, 3-0 at Sunderland and 5-1 at Crystal Palace since the start of October.
Advertisement
Have you wondered what Adebayor’s been up to lately, Tottenham fans?
