06 Oct 2018 05:43:57
I like Emery's attitude to the busy fixture schedule, which was extremely positive. Indeed, he rotated the squad well and we play Fulham on Sunday with hardly a player who played the full 90 mins v Qarabag, starting v Fulham.
Whereas Pochettino at the Toot is moaning about the schedule. The schedule is known well in advance, so it so it comes as no surprise. The Toot's injuries are mainly muscular and in almost all cases to players that were on World Cup duty. Players are complaining that the training schedule at the Toot is too intense, with injuries occuring as a result. Pochettino contradicted himself, by saying that they are only allowed a 25 man squad, yet when all 25 players are fit it is a problem. With youngsters most PL teams should be have 33 players at their disposal, that's 3 options for each position.
06 Oct 2018 08:44:50
Anyone can cope easily when things are going well but I think you get the measure of a manager when things are tough and results don't go well.
Spurs failed to strengthen in the summer despite having so many players involved in the world cup it's no good Poch moaning now, it's his mistake.
It's always tough balancing the fixture schedule but I don't remember Poch moaning about it or the squad size last season when they beat Real.
Poch and Spurs should simply accept that this was always going to be their toughest season yet and accept with good grace that they have planned badly for it.
06 Oct 2018 10:52:32
I would suggest, it is a lot easier rotating for the EL than the CL. Playing teams like Barcelona is far different to carrybag. I don't think we would be "resting" quite so many players as we did if we played them. Plus we never had quite so many involved, for quite so long at the world cup.
06 Oct 2018 15:24:14
All very good points Steve mate, if it wasn't a world cup year they wouldn't have an issue and of course the champions league is a hugely more difficult tournament full stop so rotating is very difficult.
44 to 50 champions league and premier league games over an entire season isn't that big an ask of a squad that's had a proper summer break but as we all know lots of players struggle for full form the season following a world cup.
07 Oct 2018 06:36:14
Agreed Steve, you can’t compare our schedule with the Spuds.