Mauricio Pochettino praises Vincent Janssen influence after Tottenham come from behind to draw
Sunday 14 August 2016 15:04, UK
Mauricio Pochettino hailed the impact of Vincent Janssen after his new striker changed the course of the game at Everton to earn Tottenham a draw.
Spurs were on the back foot for the first hour of their Premier League opener at Goodison Park but Pochettino believes Janssen's introduction for his debut made his side feel more comfortable.
They went on to equalise through Erik Lamela before Janssen was denied a late winner by goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
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After it finished 1-1, Pochettino told Sky Sports: "The first half was difficult for us and they deserved to go 1-0 up.
"We did not play well for different reasons - they scored very early and then Hugo got an injury, and it had a big impact on us.
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"But in the second half we played in the way we normally do, created a lot of chances, and I think we deserved more in the second half. We tried to correct some problems we had in the first half and I think it was good.
"Then I think the team felt comfortable [when Vincent came on] and he brought good energy into the team. He is a different option to play and it is for this that we signed him, We are very happy with him."
Janssen is one of only two new signings Tottenham have made this summer and the club took a hit in the build-up to the game with the resignation of their head of recruitment Paul Mitchell, two weeks before the end of the transfer window.
Pochettino expressed the loss of his friend as "disappointing" but says they will try to do more business before the window shuts on August 31.
"But this is only the first game. We need to be happy with our second-half. In the first half we need to analyse why we didn't play in the way we normally play. But against Everton it's always difficult to play at Goodison Park.
"They scored very early and they believed they can win the game. They were very motivated and the impact was hard for us to manage and develop our plan. But I am happy with the second half.
"I said in my press conference that [we will sign] maybe one or two, or maybe no one, we will see what happens.," e said.
"We are open. It's not easy to bring in players that can help us but we will try.
"This is only the first game. We need to be happy with our second-half. In the first half we need to analyse why we didn't play in the way we normally play. Against Everton it's always difficult to play at Goodison Park."
