MAURICIO POCHETTINO HAS dismissed a suggestion that his recently released book is a contributing factor to Tottenham’s faltering form.
Spurs found themselves firmly in the Premier League title race and playing with a swagger after a dominant 3-1 Champions League win over European kings Real Madrid at the start of this month came on the heels of thrashing Liverpool 4-1.
Around the same time, Pochettino’s book titled Brave New World — a collaboration with Spanish journalist Guillem Balague that documents the 2016-17 season at Spurs — came out in the shops.
In the weeks following the unforgettable encounter with Real, Tottenham’s performances and results have tailed off, with Tuesday’s 2-1 reverse at Leicester City leaving them with a solitary win from their past five Premier League outings.
“When the book appeared — different quotes about my book — we beat Real Madrid and Liverpool and we had unbelievable results,” said Pochettino ahead of Saturday’s trip to Watford, which his side will enter in seventh place, 16 points behind leaders Manchester City.
“First of all, I want to say thank you to the people that write this story because it’s more publicity for my book. We are going to help more people because all the money is going to charity. Thank you for this, in this period that is coming up to Christmas, we can help more people if we sell more books.”
Pochettino was similarly keen to reject any notion of this being his most difficult period since taking charge of Tottenham in 2014, using their consistently excellent Champions League showings as evidence all is not lost.
“No, no, no. Look, we finished first in the Champions League group, beating Real Madrid, which was historic for the club,” he said. “Then [Spurs beat Borussia] Dortmund and APOEL.
“It’s a long way to the end of the season. It’s true that in the last few games we struggled a little bit to get a good result but it’s normal for every team — they struggle [at some stage] in the 10 months of competition.”
Pochettino added: “Now I am calm and it’s normal. My responsibility is to change the dynamic with the players, accept everything that the people say, the same as when you praise us when we beat Liverpool or Real Madrid in big games.
“The balance is the most important. I trust the players, the players trust in the club and us in the job we are doing. It’s a bad period but we need to work hard to change the dynamic.”
Great news, neither could care less
@Stanley: Any word of a call up for Greg Cunningham? Decent left back and back playing again now after an injury. Can’t be worse than anything else we’ve tried.
Any wonder we struggle at this level when you see all those players and the clubs they’re at. We no longer have players at top clubs, even our premier league players are of championship standard except for Coleman and maybe another 1 or 2. Until we get a goalscorer who we can be confident of at least a goal every 2 games, then we have to accept performances like Saturday night. The manager is not the issue, the squad just isnt good enough.
@Declan Snow: no offense to the lad but when your number 9 is a 34 year who plays for Luton that says it all really, shocking lack of quality these days.
@Jack Torrance: he’s 30
@Jack Torrance: he’s 30 but yeah he can barely even get a game for Luton
Our passing accuracy should improve now. Give Lee O’Connor another run at it
Tbf Matt Doherty has been a huge disappointment. Don’t know what is going on with him, but he’s gone backwards. Enda Stevens is half decent and always seems to have a go. Wouldn’t knock him
@Cathal Keeshan: Both were have really good seasons last year compared to this season
@Cathal Keeshan: I saw a couple of interviews where he criticized the Irish set up while at Wolves. Seemed to have a very high opinion of himself.
@Michéal Ó Tuama: Well if that’s the case it’s a pity. The playing career is a short one.
@Cathal Keeshan: the fella was in prem team of the season, went to spurs, got Jose d, and is a shadow of his former self. Needs gametime
@ConPhoto: Trent Alexander Arnold was right back on team of the year for last two seasons.
Wouldn’t have had either of them starting. Back to a flat 4. Give Ryan manning a chance
@Declan O’Leary: hasn’t kicked on this season and has been mainly a sub
Lucky them
A few new run outs to be expected . This panel of players are what Steven has to work with , managers make decisions and calls , players have to give it their all. He has to get the best from these players and he needs time , he also needs as more so the players need , the backing of supporters and media to try and achieve this .