MX23RW : Thursday, January 31 08:07:45

Pochettino insists double cup exit has not derailed Spurs' season

Pochettino insists double cup exit has not derailed Spurs' season
© Reuters
Crystal Palace knocked Tottenham out of the FA Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino insists exiting two cup competitions in the space of four days does not derail Tottenham's season.

Spurs lost the Carabao Cup semi-final to Chelsea on penalties on Thursday night and then followed that up with a 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

A shocking first-half display from a much-changed side saw them go down to Connor Wickham's opener and an Andros Townsend penalty, while Kieran Trippier missed from the spot.

Tottenham named a much-changed side for the FA Cup exit at Crystal Palace
Tottenham named a much-changed side for the FA Cup exit at Crystal Palace (Victoria Jones/PA)

The back-to-back losses will give Spurs' detractors, who say they have to back up their improvement under Pochettino with silverware, more ammunition, but the Argentinian is not losing focus on Spurs' main aims.

They are in a good position to qualify for the Champions League again, a competition they still remain in, with a last-16 tie coming up against Borussia Dortmund.

"It's true, this season has been tough," he said. "I told you it would be a massive challenge for us, but we believe it'll be a tough season but no tougher than it's been.

"Of course, disappointed because, after Thursday and today again, out of two competitions. You feel disappointed. You can't feel anything different.

"But now we have to be positive. We are still in two competitions, in a good position in the Premier League and the Champions League is a massive motivation for the whole club. We have to be strong.

"People wish we could win some trophies. But being realistic, we are doing so well. To win a title here in England like the FA Cup or Carabao Cup is about being lucky, not only about quality in your squad.

"To arrive here in different condition, so you can fight or be stronger... Of course, it's tougher to compete and win when things happened as they did.

"Sometimes when you assess football, you only look at which team won and which team lost, but you have to consider all the circumstances.

"Now the realistic targets are trying to be in the top four, try and be close to Manchester City and Liverpool and reduce the gap.

"To be a contender is always difficult for us. (Top four) is realistic.

"Another is to try and beat Dortmund and be in the next round. That is tough."

Given their quick turnaround from Thursday night, Pochettino made seven changes, which included Christian Eriksen not even featuring on the bench.

Christian Eriksen was not named in Tottenham's squad
Christian Eriksen was not named in Tottenham's squad (Mike Egerton/PA)

But the Spurs boss sticks by his selection.

"Regrets? No, no," he said. "We played with our best team that we can play at the moment. I think it was a moment, of course, for different players to play. To help the team.

"I think we came from a very crazy fixture and were forced to take some decisions, rest some players and rotate.

"But we are going to play Wednesday too and Saturday."

Palace boss Roy Hodgson was delight to see Wickham score his first goal for 799 days.

The former Sunderland striker has endured an injury-ravaged time over the last few seasons but put Palace ahead from close range in the first half.

Hodgson said: "Two years and three months... incredible, isn't it. It's a credit to him.

"For Connor, to play and crown it with a goal, that's good news.

"We can leave Selhurst Park with a smile on our faces and see what awaits us in the fifth round.

"I believe and hope he can make a contribution, but that would be putting an awful lot of pressure on him.

"He's worked hard to get to where he is. I rested Jordan (Ayew) so he could play, and he took the opportunity.

"I'm very pleased with that. It's two and a quarter years, though... playing for 70-75 minutes and getting a goal, it can't get much better than that.

"But for him to be considered back now to his prime, that's asking too much. He's training. That's why he can start."


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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool24194155144161
2Manchester CityMan City24182463194456
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs24180650242654
4Arsenal24145550331747
5Chelsea24145540231747
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd24136548351345
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2410593031-135
8Everton249693533233
9Watford249693334-133
10Bournemouth24103113742-533
11Leicester CityLeicester2495103030032
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham2494113037-731
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2475122736-926
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2466122132-1124
15Crystal Palace2465132433-923
16Southampton2458112641-1523
17Burnley2465132545-2023
18Cardiff CityCardiff2454152046-2619
19Fulham2445152553-2817
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2425171341-2811

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