Pochettino claims it was normal to assume Spurs would not compete

Tottenham Hotspur have been in absolutely incredible form this season, against all the odds.

The club started the season with no new signings, the first team in Premier League history to do such a thing in the summer transfer window.

Not only this, but nine of the players Spurs did have on their books went all the way to the end of the World Cup in Russia, leaving very little time for a proper pre-season.

Tiredness, no new faces, a lack of funding, a delayed new stadium, it looked as if Tottenham’s season would be over before it had even begun.

However, through sheer determination and belief, the Tottenham squad have turned around their fortunes and now sit second in the Premier League.

The very notion that Spurs would challenge for a title would have raised laughter at the start of the season, but being above the holders on Boxing Day, you simply can’t rule them out now.

Pochettino admits it was normal to assume his side would not be up there come the start of the season, but his players always had the belief.

He said (Football London): “From the beginning it was normal to have a different opinion in football because if you see the history, all the clubs tried to improve in the summer and it is no point a team like Tottenham that finished in the top four last season not sign players.

“It’s not because you look silly, that was a normal opinion and we accept that opinion. But when you take the decision you need to be positive and you need to try to give your best to the team.

“One thing that we have is the belief in the squad, all of them young or senior players. We always believe that we can improve and always believe that we can learn.

“In six months we never complain about anything. We no complain about no signings, we no complain about the stadium, we no complain about the fixture, we no complain about come to play at Wembley when the plan was to play in the new stadium and the pitch because Wembley was booked for the season, the fans very disappointed – many, many things. But one thing we have kept is the belief and been positive, we created a bubble and now that is paying (off) and we are I think in that position because we work a lot.

“First of all the players, they really believe in what we proposed to work and to play and of course all the staff and the areas of the club deserve credit. Still we are halfway of the season, but to break records like the best first half in the Premier League and many things that can make us very proud. Of course the opinion, if we go back six months ago, was a normal opinion that I totally agree or accept that opinion.

“If we are there it is because we have amazing belief. The players deserve massive credit because without belief it is impossible to be where we are today. We have faith, clear ideas and of course now the challenge is to keep that level and try to increase.

“When you are there you start to show your face, everyone wants to kill you and of course it is tougher when you are higher. But of course, we need to keep in the same way; humble, working hard and knowing that each game is going to be tougher than the one before.

“If we are capable at the end to keep our level, maybe we can talk at the end of the season that we are real challengers but today is so early to talk about if we are or not real contenders for the title.”

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