Spurs boss plans further changes for Brighton trip
Thursday 20 September 2018 15:45, UK
Mauricio Pochettino insists he is "so relaxed" as Tottenham manager and refused to blame their form on a lack of investment in the summer.
Spurs have lost three consecutive games for the first time under Pochettino, who accused journalists of disrespecting his players when questioned over the changes he made for their Champions League defeat to Inter Milan.
Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld were left out of Spurs' squad for the game, and Pochettino said he will make further changes for their trip to Brighton this weekend.
"We have a plan, and then you win or lose but the plan is to help the players to arrive in some moments in their best," he said.
Spurs were the first Premier League side not to make a summer addition since the introduction of the transfer windows in 2002, but Pochettino would not criticise the club's recruitment policy.
"No I stick with the decision we made in the past," he said. "Now it's easy to blame or regret different things, that is the easy way to avoid responsibility. I'm not going to avoid responsibility."
Spurs have not won since their 3-0 victory at Manchester United last month, with suggestions his squad are suffering from fatigue.
But Pochettino insisted he is working to "keep the balance" between perceptions and reality.
"The group is, of course, a little bit anxious about winning games because it is normal when you don't win the atmosphere and the energy is different but that happens," he said. "Sometimes it is good to feel the pain of defeat, not only one but two or three.
"After Manchester United the perception was completely different, now after three defeats all seems different but not under my eyes.
"I am so relaxed. I'm so calm. I know football very well.
"When you win you get a lot of praise sometimes you don't deserve, when you lose you need to keep the balance and accept the criticism and that people are going to think different."
