Hugo: "I'll keep fighting"

After joining our ‘250 Club’ this week, Hugo Lloris has illustrated his calm, determined philosophy to deal with a spell he describes as ‘where you feel things aren’t turning on your side’.

At the Club since 2012, captain and one of the most respected figures here, Hugo became the 61st player to make 250 appearances for Spurs in all competitions in the 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Proud captain of France, Hugo has seen goals go against him in recent matches against Chelsea, Stoke and Manchester City but having made his professional debut almost 13 years ago, has the tools and mentality to deal with it.

“I’m ready to fight,” said Hugo, 31, who also recently became the 11th player to reach the 200-game milestone for us in the Premier League.

“I’m a sportsman and obviously in some periods when things don’t go in the way that you want you need to think a little, to keep working hard, to keep believing in yourself and be ready for the next game to help the team.

“This is how it works. I’ve been a professional footballer for a while now and I know I need to stay calm and focus on myself and the team.

Below: Hugo with goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez

“I’m the kind of goalkeeper who takes risks. I try to be proactive, I always try to go out of my box, try to claim the ball in the air and try to help my team-mates and sometimes it can go against you. It’s part of the job.

“As a competitor and a professional you have to fight against that because you don’t want to make mistakes. As I said, I need to stay calm and keep working. I wasn’t the best before and I’m not the worst today. It’s about keeping belief in yourself.”

As for reaching the 250 mark, Hugo added: “I just go day by day, game by game and try to do my best.

“As I’ve always said, for me, the most important thing is to see the Club growing, improving and if I compare the Club to when I signed and the Club today, there have been massive steps forward. That’s the most positive thing for me.”