Pochettino Accepts Spurs Criticism

Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham deserve to be criticised given their recent form although he insists he is still the right man to take the club forward. Tottenham have enjoyed sustained success since Pochettino took over as manager in 2014. He has guided them to four successive top-four finishes in the Premier League, as well as a first Champions League final last season.

However, it has not been a great to start to the current campaign for the north Londoners as they have won just two of their eight matches across all competitions, following up last weekend’s league defeat to Leicester with a shock loss to League Two Colchester in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

A certain amount of criticism has been levelled at Pochettino and his players due to their poor recent form, something the Argentine hasn’t previously experienced during his time with the club, but he believes supporters are well within their rights to voice their concerns.

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“During my five years it has all been praise for Tottenham and now we deserve to be criticised, and we accept that,” Pochettino said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Spurs’ Premier League clash with his former club Southampton on Saturday. “Sometimes critics can make you realise you need to wake up. We need to have the possibility to evolve.”

There have even been one or two questions regarding Pochettino’s future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but the 47-year-old is convinced he is the right man for the job. “Yes, I believe I am (for the club). If I didn’t think I was, you would have found out quickly,” he added.

One suggestion for Spurs’ poor start to the season could be the uncertainty that surrounded the futures of the likes of Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld during the summer, but Pochettino insists his squad remains united. The former Espanyol boss confirmed. “We are talking and trying to work harder, being strong. Of course, we understand football very well. We are not young people managing a club.”