MAURICIO POCHETTINO HAS warned he will consider fielding academy players in next season’s FA Cup after becoming frustrated by the constant talk of Tottenham’s failure to win a trophy.
Spurs’ hopes of claiming a first piece of silverware since 2008 ended on Saturday, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the semi-final at Wembley.
Dele Alli gave Pochettino’s men the lead, only for goals from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera to turn the game around and leave Spurs to focus on their quest to finish in the Premier League’s top four.
However, Pochettino is adamant his squad should not be judged solely on their results in big games.
“I am thinking with Tottenham to play with kids the next time because it’s so unfair when you lose but that is my job to be criticised when we don’t win,” the former Southampton manager told the media.
The problem is the perception sometimes is not realistic. But maybe yes, next we will provide the possibility to play with kids and I’m sure it will be fantastic for experience and everything.
“Then we will stop to arrive in this situation [of being questioned about not winning trophies].”
Spurs sit fourth in the table, five points clear of nearest rivals Chelsea, with four league games remaining this season, starting with Watford at home next Monday.
They then travel to bottom club West Brom before concluding their campaign with fixtures against Newcastle United and Leicester City at Wembley.
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Our decline is now complete …. We are the new Scotland.
I think that Cyprus defeat is far too long ago now to still be an issue in the slightest. Euro 2012 was a killer though and I’d prefer we didn’t qualify for Euro 2016 as I couldn’t stomach another humiliation on that scale.
That was a desperately unlucky draw, that was a nightmare group.
What fan doesn’t want their team to qualify though?
A win against Poland and Scotland at home and it’ll all appear a lot differently. On our day, with the right players fit, we are more than capable of doing so.
This article is one hell of a knee-jerk reaction. Scrappy game, tough atmosphere against a side who a better than us on current form. It’ll probably be the exact same game at home but i fancy us to win it
The article title may be a genuinely held belief but it’s guff. Ireland is a third tier team full of journeymen players. That our first choice keeper still plays for Millwall, and our first choice striker is pension age should be enough of a red flag for even the most loyal supporters.
Once we accept that, then results like last night’s can be appreciated with perspective….
Opinions not allowed on here?
Greece sacking Ranieri is knee jerk; this article isn’t.
It’s well thought out and to the point. Too many Irish fans are shamelessly clinging onto the hope that the national side have a sincere hope of performing consistently. They don’t.
A few positive results might improve the overall standings for a newly formatted competition which is near impossible not to qualify for. Qualification for Euro 2016 is not a great achievement, yet it’s one which Irish fans should be overwhelmed with. Under par achievements are the best Ireland will ever attain.