LONDON • Tottenham may not be enjoying the best of "circumstances" owing to a raft of injuries and a packed fixture schedule, but Mauricio Pochettino has called for one last push from his stretched side.
Spurs' participation in next season's Champions League will be guaranteed for the fourth year running if they emerge with a victory at Bournemouth in their penultimate Premier League game today.
And, while Pochettino will have to travel with a squad that are thin on the ground - Harry Winks, Harry Kane, Erik Lamela and Serge Aurier are all injured - the Argentinian wants his players to "focus on our job and deliver".
Ahead of their trip to Dean Court, he said: "The problem now is it's a decisive period for us. It's a key moment. Playing the second leg of the semi-final (against Ajax next Wednesday) and playing (today) against Bournemouth.
"Now it's not to talk too much. Finishing in the top four is our priority, too."
However, he may also have to do without Jan Vertonghen after the Belgium international suffered a clash of heads with teammate Toby Alderweireld in their midweek 1-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg loss to the Dutch outfit.
Although Spurs were relieved after the diagnosis ruled out concussion, which would have placed his appearance in next week's second leg in Amsterdam in jeopardy, "the specialist has recommended that the player undertakes a brief period of rehabilitation before returning to training".
CRUNCH TIME
The problem now is it's a decisive period for us... Now it's not to talk too much. Finishing in the top four is our priority, too.
MAURICIO POCHETTINO, Tottenham manager, on their upcoming matches.
But Pochettino does not want to use their injury list as an excuse, with the 47-year-old aiming to end the term on a high with his first trophy as a manager.
In an interview with Gary Lineker for the BBC's Premier League show, he said while he was "in football because it's my passion, he also wanted to win".
Pochettino added: "We need trophies and we need to fight for big things, to have the opportunity to win the Champions League and Premier League.
"We finished the training ground and built a new stadium, but now we must be focused, all together, on winning titles."
Spurs have yet to lift any silverware since their 2008 League Cup triumph. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
BOURNEMOUTH V TOTTENHAM
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 7.30pm
Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Huddersfield Town - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - February 23, 2019 Newcastle United's Salomon Rondon attempts an overhead kick Action I
Football: Newcastle plunge 10-man Huddersfield closer to the drop
Tigers riding high, Football News & Top Stories - The Straits
Solskjaer aims veiled dig at Mourinho as he seeks to return 'entertainment and excitement' to Man Utd. Solskjaer said: "It has been a difficult season so far, of course, but throughout
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Aims to Cement Fourth Place in Premier
The Reds stay on top of the Premier League on 69 points, just ahead of Manchester City on 68 points. Stylish Liverpool thrash Watford to stay top. By. Former football superstars to play
Stylish Liverpool thrash Watford to stay top - The Bruneian
India vs Australia: Tim Paine's 'new Aussie team' proves capability to produce results after victory in second Test Australia's 146-run victory was the first since the ball-tampering saga that rocked the nation.
Australia sense victory in second Test after brutal day in
Belgium's Eden Hazard (centre) in action with Cyprus' Kostakis Artymatas (left) and Georgios Efrem. (Reuters pic) NICOSIA: Eden Hazard marked his 100th cap with an early goal to set Belgium on
Football: Hazard marks milestone with early goal to help
Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min wanted a transfer back to Germany after struggling in his debut season at the Premier League club but stayed put after a conversation with manager Mauricio Pochettino, the South Korea international has said.
Son contemplated Tottenham exit until discussion with Pochettino
A woman has accused Brazil football star Neymar of raping her in Paris, according to a Sao Paulo police report seen by Reuters. Neymar's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brazil soccer star Neymar denies alleged rape in Paris
Jan 15, 2019 · Chelsea face partial stadium closure over alleged racist chanting by fans This article is more than 4 months old • Uefa open disciplinary proceedings in regards to Vidi incident
Football: Chelsea face partial stadium closure over alleged
Aug 12, 2014 · Outrage Over Teenager's Death Erupts on Social Media a St. Louis suburb, is drawing outrage on social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook. F.B.I. Steps In Amid Unrest After Police
Abramovich's Girlfriend Apologizes for Posing on 'Black Woman
It all points to Solskjaer, Football News & Top Stories - The
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 23, 2019, with the headline 'Rival fans in S'pore believe title race still wide open'. Print Edition | Subscribe
Nicole Chia, News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
LONDON: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blamed Manchester United's lack of ruthlessness as the Norwegian suffered his first domestic defeat as caretaker manager in a 2-0 loss at Arsenal on Sunday. Granit Xhaka's early strike and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang's penalty 21 minutes from time saw Gunners leapfrog United into the Premier League top four.
Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer to surge
David is one who likes to play games and I will have chats with him and he will respond in the right way." Asked if he should have dropped De Gea for the game, Solskjaer said to BBC Sport: "No
David de Gea: A world class goalkeeper making mistakes - not
0 comments:
Post a Comment