In the buildup to tonight’s Premier League clash with Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has again been speaking with the media.
Football.London have the gaffer saying that this has been his most difficult in management so far, and also tellingly that the club a a whole aren’t focused on lifting silverware as we are dealing with so many other issues.
The natural read across is obviously the new stadium and all the fallout from that, both in terms of the time its taken up but also the financial elements.
“The season so far, it’s strange because my feeling is the worst feeling I’ve had in the five years that I’ve been here. It’s the worst. My feeling, but it’s the best start ever for the club in the Premier League. It’s strange, no? This season, my feeling is the worst. I don’t know, it’s so difficult to explain, because the circumstance, because many things happen, I am disappointed we are still waiting for the new stadium when the expectation was to be there at the beginning of the season. I don’t know, many things happened in the summer, many things that make myself not in my best mood or best humour. I know I always have a good relationship with you [press], but my feeling is not the best feeling, I had better feelings in previous seasons.”
It’s not just been the stadium and signings, or the lack thereof, our level of performances, Champions League disappointments, injuries, the World Cup hangover – even down to Hugo Lloris and his off-pitch issues.
With plenty of fans already worrying about Poch’s future, his words have simply amplified that thread of thought. At the very least it’s a strong message for those above him even if he’s not preparing to walk with ongoing Real Madrid speculation.
This is not good! #Levy you need to get on this & sort it. Best manager & team we've had in a very long time. Last thing we need is #Poch feeling this way. Reflects on to the whole team & we don't want to lose him or any of them. #sortit #COYS
— Marie1882 (@mariebuc43) October 29, 2018
It’s only a matter of time. His patience is wearing thin.
Levy and @SpursOfficial need to ensure he gets what he needs and wants to remain because, without Poch, we will go into freefall.— sparrow_jrs (@sparrow_jrs) October 28, 2018
Interesting. Never seen him talk like that before
— Bradley (@mrbradleygrant) October 28, 2018
I love Potch but who could blame him, the stadium fiasco, no transfers, constantly missing our targets because of the chairman’s penny pinching. Why would he stay?
— KA (@kevallaway) October 29, 2018
Yeah, he's gone.
— Matt Zibanejadrad (@MatteenZiba) October 28, 2018
Gone in the summer imo levy let him down and he was clearly told money would be spent before signing the new deal
— jamie (@jamied90_) October 28, 2018
Yeah because he got let down in the summer
— James Connor (@jmconnor6) October 28, 2018