Pochettino understands Spurs fans concerns
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Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – Premier League – Saturday 3pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton – Preview:
MAURICIO POCHETTINO accepted that Spurs supporters have been left frustrated by his sides stop-start to the season.
The North Londoners have won just two of their opening six Premier League fixtures and were left bewildered as League Two Colchester United put a strong Spurs side out of the Carabao Cup during the week – a result which drew huge criticism from supporters and pundits alike.
Speaking ahead of what is now a huge clash with Southampton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Argentine explained: “I respect all the opinions – if we lose against Colchester it’s normal that not only the pundits but the fans, they can be worried about what happened.
Because we lose against Colchester – That is normal. That they are concerned if something happened here. But you need to accept that this type of situation happens. Five years ago, it was the same, or worse.
“Because when we arrived here, never before had Tottenham played in the final of the Champions League, never were they a contender to be in the top four. Now we put Tottenham in a different level and the expectation is massive and of course if you don’t win one game against Colchester, you cannot expect from the pundits and the people to be talked highly of. It’s normal.”
Despite Tottenham’s recent issues, Pochettino was looking forward to facing his former club: “It will be a very tough game, Southampton are a very good team, I feel special things for Southampton,” he confessed.
“My former club, my first club in England, they gave me the opportunity to be in England, learn English, be in this amazing country, be part of this best league in the world I can only say amazing things about Southampton.
“They have very good players, a great manager and they are doing a fantastic job and it’s going to be tough. The opponent has a massive motivation to come and play Tottenham, who were the finalists of the Champions League.
“Of course, we are a target for our opponents, to play in our amazing stadium, the best stadium in Europe. It’s a big motivation, just as it was for our opponents to play at Wembley. We need to find the balance for us in between all these things. But my expectation is that it’s going to be a tough game, like all Premier League games.”
Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton – Head to head:
Tottenham Hotspur won: 81
Drawn: 49
Southampton won: 63
Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton – Last five meetings (all competitions):
March 19, 2017 – Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Southampton
December 26, 2017 – Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur 5-2 Southampton
January 21 2018 – Premier League
Southampton 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
December 5, 2018 – Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Southampton
Match 9, 2019 – Premier League
Southampton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Jeevesie’s prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Southampton
