Spurs determined to remain calm in title run-in

Hugo Lloris has revealed Mauricio Pochettino’s one message to his Tottenham players during the title run-in: keep calm and carry on.

Spurs will be bidding to close the gap to Leicester back to five points when they host West Brom on Monday night, after the Foxes thrashed Swansea 4-0 on Sunday.

Time is running out for Pochettino’s men as they chase their first title since 1961, but Lloris insists Tottenham’s youthful squad will not wilt under the pressure.

“It is very clear in our minds. Every day, the speech of the gaffer is very clear – carry on and don’t think too much,” Lloris said.

“Whatever will happen, we try to just be focused on ourselves, that’s the key, don’t think too much about what is going on around us and all the words around the team.

“There are still four games, we know the opposition and it’s very positive. Our last two games were great in terms of performances, in terms of results, so we just need to carry on.

“No one knows what is going to happen at the end of the season. Of course, our situation of playing every time after Leicester is not always the best way, but who knows the best way at the moment?”

Spurs play second again this weekend and the challenge is to ensure Leicester’s emphatic win over Swansea does not affect their mindset ahead of the contest at White Hart Lane.

Pochettino told the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli they would not be allowed to attend the PFA Awards ceremony in London on Sunday night, despite both players being nominated for the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year prizes respectively.

It shows Tottenham are desperate to avoid distractions at this crucial point in the season and, while Lloris admits the players are following Leicester’s matches, he says the key is to focus on themselves.

“Through TVs, through our phones, yes of course we try to know about their results,” Lloris said.

“But if you don’t do your job properly in your games, whatever will happen in Leicester games means nothing. That’s why we must not lose focus on ourselves.”

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