West Brom v Spurs - Mauricio's preview

Mauricio Pochettino is wary of the threat of a West Brom team full of belief and ‘playing with freedom’ under Darren Moore.

Mauricio has always told us how teams fighting for their lives are dangerous opponents and Saturday’s visit to The Hawthorns is the epitome of that theory.

West Brom looked down and out a month ago but have been rejuvenated under Moore’s guidance - four matches unbeaten including wins at Manchester United and Newcastle and a draw from 2-0 down against Liverpool.

That run means they are clinging onto hope - but anything less than a win against us will see them relegated.

“Training has been good this week and now we’re so conscious that this is such an important game against West Brom,” said Mauricio.

“With the new manager, they now have the belief that they can win every game. We’ve seen how they are playing and the positive results they took from different games. 

“They are alive, playing with freedom and of course mathematically they are not down to the Championship. That’s why they have the belief.

“Everything can happen in football if you have the belief and they are showing in the last few games that they have that belief. We face them with all the respect and we need to understand that we’ll need to fight a lot to take the three points because it won’t be an easy game.”

Mauricio knows the chance to finish third in the Premier League is in our hands - wins in our final three matches against West Brom, Newcastle at Wembley on Wednesday and Leicester back at Wembley on Sunday week (13 May) will secure third at least.

“It’s up to us to finish third,” he added. “That’s an important feeling for us but at the same time, a massive responsibility.

“We’re only thinking about our performance and trying to win. The next game is always the most important. It’s a week left of competition until the end of the season and it would be fantastic if we could finish third.”