Poch: Only victory will end scrutiny

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Hugo Lloris’ arrest for drink-driving added to stress before sustaining thigh injury, says Mauricio Pochettino

Last Updated: 20/09/18 11:26pm

Spurs have lost three consecutive games for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino

Spurs have lost three consecutive games for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino

Spurs have lost three consecutive games for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says winning is the only way to stop the scrutiny, adding that he is “going to stick with the club” and not criticise his players.

The club are currently on a three-game losing streak after their Champions League defeat at Inter on Tuesday, a run which comes after winning their opening three Premier League matches.

Spurs’ September slump has seen Harry Kane’s fitness brought into question, while Hugo Lloris’ drink-driving charge and a delay to their new stadium have also brought unwanted headlines to the club.

However, a “relaxed” Pochettino says victory at Brighton will help lift the pressure, with the Spurs boss insisting that he will always remain positive whether he is at the club for another five years or just one week.

“The only way we can stop that (criticism) is winning games and if we don’t win everyone is going to criticise more than now,” he said.


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A ‘calm’ Pochettino says he will not blame Tottenham’s form on a lack of transfers
A ‘calm’ Pochettino says he will not blame Tottenham’s form on a lack of transfers

“And you know what is going to happen when we don’t win games, the first responsible is me. I am so relaxed. In football something happens, the situation is that I am going to give my best until the end.

“I am going to stick with the club, I am not going to criticise the club.

“All the decisions are our decisions and of course we are always with the club until the end, maybe still here in five years or maybe in one week we are not here, but I will always talk well about the club and help them to achieve all they want.”

Meanwhile, Pochettino would not disclose whether Lloris had been punished by the club after he was found guilty of drink-driving.

The Tottenham captain was fined £50,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after admitting to being more than twice the drink-drive limit when he was stopped in the early hours on August 24.

The French goalkeeper has not featured for Spurs since sustaining a thigh problem against Manchester United on August 27, and Pochettino believes the “added stress” from the arrest may have played its part in the injury.

Pochettino suggested Hugo Lloris' thigh injury came about after the 'added stress' of his drink-driving arrest

Pochettino suggested Hugo Lloris' thigh injury came about after the 'added stress' of his drink-driving arrest

Pochettino suggested Hugo Lloris’ thigh injury came about after the ‘added stress’ of his drink-driving arrest

“It is private,” Pochettino added. “I think the punishment came from the court and public judgement is massive punishment. All that happened inside, I think we want to keep it inside, that’s much better.

“I think he was under stress during the game against Manchester United. I think the injury and with the added stress maybe created that injury.

“The injury now is helping him to take time and think and be a little bit more relaxed. To compete after what happened was a massive stress for him.”

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