Sunday 25 September 2016 19:13, UK
Maurico Pochettino says Spurs need to be more 'clinical' after watching them have to sweat for a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough despite dominating the first-half.
The visitors played superbly in the opening period and could easily have had four or five goals but were restricted to a brace from Heung-Min Son.
That left them vulnerable to an improved Middlesbrough in the second-half and the hosts pulled a goal back, before Jordan Rhodes squandered a chance to level.
But Spurs held on to continue their fine start to the season and Pochettino said: "First-half, we played very well.
"I think the way we played always pleases and it is true that this is how we want to play always, but we need to improve our percentage in front of goal, to be more clinical and score more.
"We created a lot of chances.
"In the second half, I think we tried to manage the game but we let the opponent score.
"In the end, 2-1 looks a bit tougher, but I thought we were much better."
Spurs were without injured trio Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele but Pochettino was not surprised they were able to cope.
"They are very important players for us but we are talking always about the team, the squad and that is the most important," he said.
"We need to believe and trust in our squad, it is for that we sign players."
Spurs launched a bold title bid last season before faltering late on and appear to be in the mix once again, having climbed into second place.
But Pochettino is focusing on the here and now, and added: "We need to look forward.
"Now we have a difficult trip to Russia in the Champions League [to play CSKA Moscow] and it is very important to win the game - we need the three points - and then we have Manchester City [on October 2] before the international break.
"Two very tough games but we are ready to compete."
