Pochettino wants Spurs fans to ‘show respect’ to Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor: Joined Palace as a free agent

Emmanuel Adebayor: Joined Palace as a free agent

Mauricio Pochettino wants Tottenham fans to “show respect” to Emmanuel Adebayor when he returns to White Hart Lane on Sunday.

The 31-year-old striker is in line to start for his new club Crystal Palace when the two sides meet in the FA Cup fifth round and Pochettino has urged supporters not to barrack the former Togo forward.

“I think we need to show respect and make sure our fans help the team go through to the next round. This is our challenge.

“We spent one year together and he showed respect to us,” said Pochettino.

Adebayor, who has said he will celebrate if he scores on Sunday, signed a six-month deal with Palace last month after his contract with Spurs was terminated in September last year.

The former Arsenal and Man City star spent four years at Spurs and scored 42 goals in 113 appearances.

“I think our fans will give a good welcome to Ade because he played for Tottenham. He scored a lot of goals for Tottenham. Sometimes in football you have a good or bad period,” added Pochettino

“The last season for him was a very difficult one. He had a lot of personal problems but I was always available to speak with him and the relationship was fantastic.”