Fri 02 March 2018, 17:09
Tottenham HotspurBirthday boy Mauricio Pochettino says the players are focused on winning each game as it comes as we prepare to take on Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium, connected by EE.
The midweek win over Rochdale in the FA Cup saw us extend our unbeaten run to 16 games in all competitions.
But the manager insists that statistic doesn’t come into his way of thinking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with the Terriers (kick-off 3pm).
“We don’t think too much about this, we think about trying to win games and go further in all the competitions and trying to be in the top four in the Premier League,” said Mauricio after training today (Friday 2 March).
“That (unbeaten run) is always an important thing because (it can lead to) better confidence and more trust in the way that you play, but we need to always think ahead and now the most important thing is to try to be better than Huddersfield and win another game.
“Huddersfield is a team that is fighting for survival in the Premier League and is in a different position than us, but always it’s so dangerous to play and for me it will be tough. For us, the three points are so important to be involved in a position in the table to fight for the top four. I think it is key for us to win the three points.”
Huddersfield come to the national stadium with former Spur Alex Pritchard among their number. The attacking midfielder emerged from our Academy and after two senior appearances in our colours and a handful of loan spells, joined Norwich City in August, 2016, before heading to the John Smith’s Stadium this January.
“It will be good to see him,” said Mauricio. “Of course, he had a fantastic season in Norwich and today he has the possibility to go to the Premier League and a very good team like Huddersfield. He is doing well, I think his coach is happy and his performances are very good.”
With snow and freezing conditions hitting much of the UK this week, Mauricio confirmed that the players have been able to continue their preparations for Saturday’s game without disruption thanks to our world-class Training Centre.
“We have amazing facilities like the dome that we can use,” he said. “Of course, it’s not the same as natural grass but it always helps in this moment because it can be dangerous to train with this weather.
“It will be freezing (on Saturday for the game) but the team is ready and the mentality is good. We know very well that it will be a tough game and we need to be ready to fight, to think only about being focused and try to perform in the way that we want.”
Asked whether he has any plans to celebrate his birthday today, Mauricio said: “Here in the training ground with all the people but not a party – a celebration – and then tonight of course with my family. It’s Toby’s (Alderweireld) birthday too and another person from the staff – plenty of birthdays on March 2!”
