The boss has dubbed tomorrow tonight’s game against the Romans as “our first final” and I make him right. I make him right to the extent that both games have to be approached with equal levels of respect.
Poch is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn’t when it comes to team selection. The single incontestable truth is that the moment this squad starts fiddling about and deviating from playing its best players, it struggles.
As per this week’s HHH – Spurs need to stop fussing over the lack of rest – and mentally revisit the Christmas period which saw them put 5 past Chelsea during a period where they play 17 games in just 3 days.
It will be a difficult game. I think this is our first final before Sunday as Fiorentina are only one game from going into the next round.
We know that we need to score, but we are confident. We need to decide on the line-up. We have played two tough games against Fiorentina and West Ham (in the last week) so we need to decide on the best team.
We’d be gutted if we go out of the Europa League. We’re going to go on Thursday to Fiorentina to win that game. If we start thinking like this we’re not going anywhere We have to keep that hunger we have inside us to want to win everything.”
Tonight’s game is the last match in the Group of 32. Should we persevere, that leaves us closing in on the quarter finals. We’ve come too far and made too many sacrifices in respect of Premier League games to just throw this run away.
Poch is keeping the lads in Italy, opposed to flying them back in late tomorrow tonight. The word is that this is to train them over there, my view is that he’s actually going to focus more on resting them.
On the second final, the one at Wembley – Gladys the tea lady has been in touch – she believes that Hugo Lloris will start against Chelsea.
We have nothing to fear but the sky falling on our heads.
Weekend Offender is perfect for any game…
