Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham squad still unsettled

Tottenham were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle at home on Super Sunday

Gerard Brand

Monday 26 August 2019 09:11, UK

Mauricio Pochettino says his Tottenham side are unsettled with the European transfer window still open.

Spurs suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat by Newcastle on Super Sunday, registering 80 per cent possession but struggling to break down a stubborn Newcastle.

With Christian Eriksen's future still uncertain, and the Dane starting on the bench on Sunday, Pochettino says he will be a happier man once the window closes on September 2.

"I cannot find excuses because the transfer window is open," he said. "It doesn't justify that performance today or the result. But we have an unsettled group for different reasons and different personal circumstances.

"Of course, I am going to be happier in 10 days after Arsenal when the transfer window is closed and we know we have the players until it opens again in January."

Asked whether Eriksen's absence from the starting XI had an impact on the game, Pochettino said: "I said before, when you lose a game, always the player that doesn't play is the best. I accept that.

"With Christian and without Christian, we win and lose a lot of games. If the result is 3-0 today we don't talk about different things or names, if not of course the player that didn't play is the best to play."

Spurs had just two shots on target against Newcastle, who had lost their opening two games of the season, despite having four-fifths of the ball at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Pochettino did not hold back in his assessment of the performance, saying Spurs never had the capacity to break down Newcastle's deep back line.

"I am very disappointed. We cannot justify our performance today. I don't want to be critical of the team, only describe it. Today we did not deliver the performance we expect. I think to concede again in the first half on the transition, a very cheap goal like the one against Aston Villa, that worries me.

"We didn't create. We had the possession, we dominated, but we didn't create enough chances. I don't want to justify it but I need to tell the truth.

"I think it was very clear. We never found the capacity to break down their defensive line. They were organised and played really deep. We didn't show this capacity when a solid team came to play against us.

"Sometimes it is not all about possession, it is about inciting a different action. We didn't show what you need in this type of game."

Highlights: Newcastle snatch shock win at Spurs

Watch highlights from Newcastle's 1-0 win at Tottenham in the Premier League...

Souness: This isn't a one-off result

Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Graeme Souness insists the result was not a one-off, and that Spurs must learn how to break down stubborn teams.

"Spurs had 80 per cent possession and just two shots on target. That's not good enough. Spurs will have to get used to teams coming here, and playing like this against them. This is not a one-off.

"If you take Spurs on in an open, expansive game of football, nine times out of ten, you'll come unstuck. People now know Spurs are a good team.

"More and more teams will come here and look at what Newcastle have done here today, and think that's how to get a result."

What's next?

Tottenham now travel to Arsenal for the north London derby on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 4.30pm, while Newcastle host Leicester in the EFL Cup second round on Wednesday night, before hosting Watford at 3pm on Saturday.

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