«Breaking News» 'My stars are NOT worn out' Mauricio Pochettino refuses to blame Spurs' fatigue

Mauricio Pochettino has hit back at claims his players are tired and overworked and insisted he is doing everything possible to keep them fresh and fit.

Pochettino made sure each member of the Tottenham squad enjoyed at least 21 days rest after the World Cup whereas, he claimed, some Manchester City players reported back after 15 days.

He revealed how Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose were replaced when they asked to come off at Manchester United because they were exhausted with 20 minutes to play.

Mauricio Pochettino is adamant fatigue is not responsible for Tottenham's poor run of form

The Spurs boss gave Trippier extra time off following England games against Spain and Switzerland so he was ready to face Liverpool.

And then omitted Trippier and Toby Alderweireld from the game at Inter Milan four days later.

'We are not gamblers,' said Pochettino. 'Go back to United, after 70 minutes both full-backs ask to leave the pitch because they were tired. It is difficult to cope with a high-level game working hard. They were ready again to play after one week.

'We provided [Kieran] more time to recover after the international break to be sure he could play in a very good way against Liverpool. We didn't train too much because we prioritised rest and recovery.

'It was a tough game against Liverpool, 90 minutes and to play again after three days against another big-level team, against a very good player, it wasn't the best. The risk was massive.'

Pochettino rested Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld for the Champions League tie vs Inter

Pochettino likes to drive his squad hard in pre-season but this year ensured they all received three weeks off after the World Cup, the minimum rest recommended by the players' union, the PFA.

'We provided all the players 21 days off,' said the Spurs boss. 'More than some teams because we wanted to be fair with everyone.

'City, I think, I was talking to [City coach] Mikel Arteta and because they played one week before in the Community Shield they agreed to have only 15 days holiday.'

Like an F1 tyre change, each team devises its strategy and the best one will be clear when the race is run.

Pochettino is under close scrutiny after three defeats. He has deployed seven defenders in three different back-four units in six games.

Jan Vertonghen started six (won three, lost three). Alderweireld, Trippier and Ben Davies started four (all won two, lost two). Serge Aurier, Sanchez and Rose started two (all won one, lost one). Pochettino will make more changes today (SAT) at Brighton.

He gave all of his stars from the World Cup an extended three week break including Harry Kane

He believes the issue of fatigue is overstated. The team's mileage is down on last season but his concerns surround attitude and desire, not fitness, tactics and selection.

Some players, he thought, were carried away by a 3-0 win at Manchester United. Perhaps he suspects others are basking in World Cup glories.

'We are good when we run more than the opponents,' said Pochettino. 'When we won against teams with similar or better quality than us, we run between six and 10 kilometres more than the opponent.

'This season, it's not that we don't run. We ran two kilometres more than Liverpool but we need more. We have different qualities and skills and we need to be focused and run and work hard.

'For different reasons, we need to create double chances than another team to score.

'I'm not happy but sometimes it's good sometimes to feel bad and to feel: I was good when I was working hard, with the mentality, focused on the objective together.'

Pochettino thinks his squad's fatigue is overstated and that they run for than their opponents

Four of eight goals conceded by Spurs have been from set-pieces. All of them with Michel Vorm in goal because Hugo Lloris was injured.

Pochettino, a centre-half in his playing days, said: 'It is to have the mentality that if I mark this guy he is not going to touch the ball. If he does, it is a dishonour for me. If he doesn't feel that, it is difficult.

'That is something inside: be strong, be aggressive; anticipate. That is difficult for every coaching staff to manage. You can work on organisation, you can work on the line if the free-kick is out wide or use different players in different positions if it is a corner.

'But in the end it's up to them. It is about character and personalities. The big teams always have big-personality players, characters and a winning mentality. Maybe not the best but winners.'

Linkhienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/22/my-stars-are-not-worn-out-mauricio-pochettino-refuses-to-blame-spurs-fatigue/
Main photo article Mauricio Pochettino has hit back at claims his players are tired and overworked and insisted he is doing everything possible to keep them fresh and fit.
Pochettino made sure each member of the Tottenham squad enjoyed at least 21 days rest after the World Cup whereas, he claimed, some Manchester...

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Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca





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