MAURICIO POCHETTINO WAS irritated by Tottenham’s lack of cutting edge in the 1-0 defeat at West Brom and urged his players to wrap up Champions League qualification over the final week of the season.
Jake Livermore’s scrambled goal in second-half stoppage time kept Albion’s improbable hopes of Premier League survival flickering but the result at the Hawthorns could also have ramifications at the other end of the table.
Spurs remain fourth, a point behind third-place Liverpool and five clear of Chelsea in fifth.
However, Antonio Conte’s men have played a game less and can apply some pressure by beating Jurgen Klopp’s Champions League finalists on Sunday.
Home matches next week against mid-table Newcastle United and Leicester City should be enough to see Spurs over the line, but Pochettino cut a frustrated figure on Saturday.
“We fully dominated the game, but if you are not clinical in front of goal and don’t score the chances you have, always it’s open,” he said.
“In this type of game, against this type of team like West Brom – they worked so hard on set pieces and when the game is open you can concede.”
Victory at Stamford Bridge at the start of April seemed to all-but settle the top-four argument from Spurs’ point of view, but a run of one win in their past four league matches has Pochettino’s men stuttering towards the finishing post.
“I think maybe we need to assess why,” he added. “Of course the games that we played after [beating Chelsea], yes, our performance dropped a little bit.
“It looked like after Chelsea the job was done and that’s why I’m disappointed in our performances in the last few weeks.
“We need to work so hard during the last two games to try to win them both because it’s in our hands to be in the Champions League next season.”
Pochettino confirmed centre-back Toby Alderweireld’s absence against West Brom was due to a twisted ankle. The Belgium international will be assessed on Sunday.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Makes sense he’s had a few injuries this season so why use him, give him a rest and proper recovery. He’s a big part of Jose’s future plans so he’ll be raring to go next season as a result
@Johnny Bravo: how do you know he’s a big part of Jose’s future plans ?
@Johnny Bravo: o
@Johnny Bravo: or did you just make that up ?
@Alana: to much coffee today Jamie ?
@Johnny Bravo: or is your hand and fingers swollen from some other offline activity?
@Johnny Bravo: stick to making up stuff Thommo
@Alana: So I’m Thommo now lol you’re some tulip
@Johnny Bravo: where did you read he’s part of Jose’s plan for the future?
@Alana: don’t know if this helps, but I read it here. Some bloke called Johnny said so.
@Jumperoo: you must be new here, he makes a lot of stuff up here he also uses the account Thommo
@Alana: obsessed
Wrapping him in cotton wool with nothing to play for in premier league. Probably get a game before FA cup final, arrangement suits everyone good managing. Another CB, LB and a CM who can control tempo of the game(very few out there) needed to challenge man city next season.
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: why would he wrap him up in cotton wool when he had the whole summer off lol deluded
@Alana: why risk injuring your best player with nothing to play for at the end of season?
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: going by your logic Madrid will rest Ronaldo for every game bar the CL final then
@Alana: do you ever stop 20 comments on a Jose article and you took up 10 spouting absolute drivel
Great management. That will make his players warm to him even more.
So considerate of Jose
Story outta nothing again lads…..
So
Makes no sense ? Mourinho is moaning when players have too much games , no rest he moans ? Yet he is playing guys who will be playing an extra month of World Cup in nothing games ! Bizzare
Nothing strange great man management