Spurs are moving on up – Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino accepts it may be difficult for people outside Tottenham to see the club’s progress this season, but remains confident they can continue to move forwards.

On Sunday, Spurs head to Everton looking to secure qualification for the Champions League.

Whatever the result at Goodison Park, however, the north London club cannot now better last season’s tally of 69 points, which was good enough for sixth place under Tim Sherwood.

Current boss Pochettino, though, feels Spurs are moving in the right direction, having reshaped a squad which reached the Capital One Cup final at Wembley, yet failed to break back into the Champions League places.

“For me, yes (there has been progress), but you need to analyse and assess the season,” said Pochettino, who left Southampton to take charge at White Hart Lane.

“We are in a process with a lot of change, and it is difficult for the people outside to see, but we are ambitious, so for that we need to work hard to do better next season.”

Pochettino continued: “It takes time to develop your philosophy, but I think the main group now understand us and share our philosophy and management, for the future this is very important.

“Next season if we analyse this season, then the gap (on the top four) is not too big, but we need to be more consistent and improve in some areas.”

With goalkeeper Michel Vorm a doubt for Sunday’s match because of illness, veteran Brad Friedel could be on the bench for what would be the 43-year-old’s final match before retirement.

“It is an unbelievable moment for Brad and great to share it with him because he is an unbelievable professional and deserves all good things for future,” said Pochettino.

Midfielder Christian Eriksen is aiming for a memorable finish to what has been something of a stop-start campaign.

“If we can end up higher (in the table), we should take that chance,” he said on the club’s official website, tottenhamhotspur.com

“Hopefully we will play a good game and finish the season well, if we do that it will be all smiles and a good feeling going into next season.”