Mauricio Pochettino has again reiterated the FA Cup is no longer special for Tottenham .
And according to The Mirror our Argentine coach insists winning the famous old trophy for a ninth time next month would not change the club’s history and that it isn’t important when compared to the more high-profile Premier League and Champions League.
We are synonymous with being a cup team and have a glorious FA Cup tradition, however Poch claimed on the eve of Saturday’s semi-final against Manchester United that we have different priorities these days.
He said: “I promise you, the club is not going to change if you win or don’t win the FA Cup or the League Cup. Is the FA Cup going to change our life? I don’t believe so.It would be fantastic to add that trophy to the club, but what would put us to a different level would be to win the Premier League or Champions League.
He added: “It doesn’t mean I am not interested to win the FA Cup. Here, people love to talk about perception and changing perceptions.Good Champions League group stage – you beat Dortmund, Real Madrid and you compete very well against Juventus and the dimension of the club around the world changes completely.”
The article goes on to describe how we have not won a trophy since the 2008 League Cup, and Pochettino has been questioned for not trying harder to lift silverware since taking charge four years ago.
If we do finally do it this season we will end a nightmare run which has seen us beaten in all seven FA Cup semi-finals we have played since last winning the competition in 1991.In that time we have lost to arch-rivals Arsenal twice, Chelsea on two more occasions, Portsmouth, Everton and Newcastle.
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However Pochettino insists it will not scare the players or weigh heavy on their shoulders as they prepare to tackle United. He said: “I don’t believe the fans put on more pressure. The pressure we put on ourselves and the motivation is massive.’’
Michel Vorm normally plays in FA Cup matches,however Pochettino has hinted No.1 Hugo Lloris will start instead on Saturday and he believes playing home games at Wembley will not give Spurs an advantage.
Pochettino said: “No, I don’t believe so because Manchester United have the experience to play in Wembley too. It’s not an advantage for us, not a disadvantage for them.
He added: “I think it will be a game that will be typical FA Cup at Wembley — half Tottenham and half Manchester United. It’s a different competition and the atmosphere will be completely different to the Premier League.”
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