Pochettino Plays Down Current Woes

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists his current rebuild job is nothing compared to the one he inherited in his first season at the club. Whilst not exactly a club in crisis, Tottenham have not had the start to the season they wanted and have fallen well off the pace in the race for the Premier League title and were knocked out of the Carababo Cup in midweek by Colchester from League Two.

Pochettino, whose side faces his former club Southampton on Saturday, admitted in the summer that he was leading Spurs into a new chapter following the completion of their new stadium and their run to the Champions League final.

He did warn of a “painful rebuild” and so far that has proved to be the case. Spurs did sign four players in the summer, having not bought anyone over the previous two windows, but only Tanguy Ndombele has started a game – while a host of his existing players have doubts surrounding their future, which has apparently led to unrest in the dressing room.

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That has led to a difficult start to the campaign which has seen them win just two of their opening eight games in all competitions, but Pochettino says his challenge was much tougher when he arrived in 2014.

Following his appointment as Tim Sherwood’s successor, he was tasked with overhauling a large squad that needed some experienced players shipping out and his mission this year is a similar one. “Similar situation but different circumstances,” the Argentinian said. “Different solution and a different way to operate.

“I think it’s different. When I arrived, I didn’t know a single player. We found 34 players in the squad, my first 34 players, but now I know nearly all the players.”

Spurs will be looking to kick-start their season against the Saints who have had a mixed start to the season themselves and go into the game on the back of a home defeat to Bournemouth last week, although they comfortably overcame rivals Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup clash in midweek.

Spurs need to win though and there will be no room for sentiment when Pochettino comes up against the side he left to join the north London club five years ago, even if he remembers his time on the south coast fondly.