Mauricio Pochettino makes frank admission after West Ham loss

Tottenham suffered their first defeat at their new 62,062-capacity stadium today as they went down 1-0 to West Ham United courtesy of a second-half strike by Michail Antonio.

Mauricio Pochettino decided to make a few changes ahead of the Ajax game on Tuesday evening with the likes of Eric Dier, Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez coming into the side.

Tottenham started off the game in a positive manner with some nice interlinking play but their lack of sharpness in the final third stopped them from registering a breakthrough.

The visitors came into the game as the half went on, and looked a threat on the counter-attack. Manuel Pellegrini’s side started imposing themselves on the match especially after the interval when the Spurs players looked heavy-legged due to fatigue.

Pochettino admitted after the game that his players seem to run out of steam in the second half.

When asked if he felt the team ran out of energy and ideas, the Argentine told Football.London:”It is the reality. I think the first half was good for us. Second half they were better. I think they showed more energy than us in the second half.

“We conceded a lot of space to run to players like Arnautovic and Antonio who can create problems for us when you concede that space, because we didn’t find a way to manage the ball properly and I think we lost a lot of balls, unforced, and we gave them the possibility to make their game.

“I am disappointed of course because it’s a setback and we wanted to win the three points to be in our position and arrive to the Champions League game in a very good mood and way, but it wasn’t and now we need to move on. Now it’s not about wasting time, it’s to recover and try again Tuesday to be ready to play.”

Spurs Web’s Opinion:

With Pochettino’s resources already stretched to its limit, the Argentine had no choice but to rest one or two players for Tuesday.

It is indeed worrying with the crucial Ajax tie coming up that the players looked so leggy. Tottenham fans will be hoping that Moussa Sissoko is fit for that game in order to add more legs to Tottenham’s engine room.

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