Mauricio Pochettino admits life on the road has been tough for Tottenham.
Spurs have been in good form away from home this season, winning five of their last six matches.
However, Pochettino admits the fact that they do not actually have a place to call home has taken its toll.
A delay to the completion of their new stadium has meant Spurs are still using Wembley as their temporary residence.
🗣️ Mauricio on @PSV: "They are a very good offensive team doing fantastic in their domestic league. They've struggled like us in the @ChampionsLeague so it makes the game difficult. We both need to win." #COYS pic.twitter.com/k3KCy4VsuI
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 23, 2018
And ahead of their must-win Champions League trip to PSV Eindhoven, Pochettino said: “It’s true that it’s difficult to always feel like you’re playing away from home.
“We’re managing things so that we’re sure in the future (it) will be completely different.
“When I signed my new contract we expected a tough period, but it is tougher than we believed.”
Spurs travel to the Dutch champions knowing they must take three points to stand a realistic chance of getting out of their Champions League group, having already lost to Inter Milan and Barcelona.
Training begins at the Philips Stadion 💪#COYS pic.twitter.com/sjV2gGOVxA
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 23, 2018
It will be no easy task. Former Holland international Mark Van Bommel has guided PSV to nine wins from their opening nine Eredivisie matches, giving them a five-point cushion at the top and with a staggering goal difference of plus-33.
“He was a great player,” said Pochettino of Van Bommel. “I was lucky to face him when he was at Barcelona for one season.
“His career was fantastic as a player and now as a manager. Unbeaten in nine games with attacking football and you can see what the team expects from the manager.”
Midfielder Eric Dier insists confidence is high in the Spurs camp despite the high stakes.
🗣️ @ericdier on @PSV: "They’re a very good side. We know they are competitive in Holland and have been very good again this season. We have to be at our best for every game and tomorrow is the same." #COYS pic.twitter.com/atbzoD7fH8
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 23, 2018
He said: “We’ve done well away from home so far this season, and we’ve had some tough games away from home.
“We feel very good at the moment and we’ve got to try to continue that feeling tomorrow against a very good side. It’s a game we’re looking forward to and tomorrow is no different.”
Meanwhile, Pochettino has urged Tottenham’s fans to stay out of trouble.
Spurs have told supporters travelling to the Dutch city that they must collect tickets in person at the Philips Stadion.
🗣️ Mauricio on injuries: "Danny Rose, @JanVertonghen and @dele_official are still out. @ChrisEriksen8 is fit to be selected but we will see tomorrow if I decide for him to play from beginning or bench." #COYS pic.twitter.com/hdyRFQpvC5
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 23, 2018
A club statement read: “The decision to implement this policy is a result of security advice received in respect of this fixture from both the Metropolitan Police and Dutch authorities, as well as following disturbances on our previous visit to Eindhoven in 2008.”
Pochettino said: “My advice is to take care about what you are going to do. It’s about supporting your team but always with limits and try to behave in the way that we expect and want.
“We want all the news tomorrow to be about what’s on the pitch.”
