Pochettino undeterred by Leicester’s emphatic victory

Mark Scott
Mauricio Pochettino: League Cup is his fourth priority

Mauricio Pochettino: Planning ahead with caution

Mauricio Pochettino has fired a warning to Leicester that his Tottenham side will not give up on the Premier League title despite the gap growing larger.

Spurs are now eight points behind Leicester after the Foxes hammered Swansea 4-0 on Sunday, but can close the gap back to five with a win at home to West Brom on Monday night.

Concerns that Pochettino’s pressing style of play and intense training methods might lead to fatigue have been allayed, with his side losing only once in the league since January and taking 14 points from the last 18 available.

Tottenham have four games left to catch Leicester and Pochettino believes his players are now running further and fighting harder with the finishing line in sight.

“I think we are as strong as at the start of the season, we are at the same level, maybe the difference is our opponents,” Pochettino said.

“The data is similar at the beginning to now because now we can see the finish line.

“We don’t arrive yet, this is important, but our motivation is good and then you can run more. It is always in our mind and we are in a very good moment.

“We need to fight to achieve big things like winning the title.”

Tottenham may also have been spurred on by the suspension to Jamie Vardy, who missed Leicester’s game against Swansea and could also have to sit out next week’s match at Manchester United.

Vardy was clearly not missed against the Swans, but his ban could yet prove a tipping point in the title race, although Pochettino insists he will not be urging caution upon his own youthful squad.

“In football you can never send the message be careful to the players. They need to feel free to play,” Pochettino said.

“If you translate this message you put this idea in their heads and you a put a limit on them. I think we feel free, without pressure.

“We showed it on Monday, we played very well and the way we took the game was fantastic.”