Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham no longer a soft touch
Friday 6 May 2016 15:49, UK
Mauricio Pochettino admits he is proud that his Tottenham side is no longer known as a soft touch.
Spurs set a Premier League record on Monday when they were handed nine yellow cards during the fractious 2-2 draw with Chelsea which saw Mousa Dembele charged with violent conduct and both clubs charged with failing to control their players.
Spurs' long-held reputation as a side that could be bullied was famously revealed by Roy Keane, who spoke of Sir Alex Ferguson's three-word team-talk ahead of a Manchester United game against Spurs in which he said: "Lads, it's Tottenham."
And while Monday's draw ended Spurs' title hopes, Pochettino insisted this was a "new Tottenham", even if they did cross the line at Stamford Bridge.
"It was a game where a lot happened on the pitch," he said ahead of Sunday's clash with Southampton. "All the people that play football know that situations like that can happen.
"I feel very proud of my players. We showed big character, sometimes we crossed the line and if you cross the line you need to pay, but it was a good lesson for us. I'm sure we will be stronger next season.
"In the last two years, the people say Tottenham was always soft. Not now. We start to show character, but it's important to manage our energy better for next season."
Dembele has accepted his charge of violent conduct and will be suspended for at least three games, but Pochettino was supportive of his midfielder.
"Sometimes when you run a lot and you are under stress, you can cross the line. Mousa knows if you cross the line, you need to pay, but this can happen in football. We cannot justify, but we can understand."
