The season is in our own hands
Tottenham are Burnley’s first opponents following the last international break of the season and that brings Mauricio Pochettino to Turf Moor as his team look to push Chelsea at the top of the league.
Pochettino admitted things aren’t easy during the international breaks when he spoke to the media yesterday. “It’s always difficult for a club like us because nearly all the players were involved with their national teams,” he said.
“It’s always tough, it’s only a few players training and always it’s so difficult to keep the motivation. It’s very tough for them but I hope that it was a very good break.
“Today was the first time that we met all together here at the training ground and started to prepare for the game against Burnley. It’s true that it’s not too much time to prepare for the game but that is the competition, we need to accept and we need to be ready to compete on Saturday against Burnley.”
He added: “It will be tough. They are doing very well at home and we know very well that we need to fight from the first moment in the game. They are a very physical team, a very aggressive team and it will be tough. Not only must we give our best, we must be ready to fight for every single ball. We need to be ready not only physically, technically and tactically but mentally to fight with a team that will fight against us.”
Sean Dyche is welcoming a home game after the recent run of away fixtures. Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game he said: “It’s been five of the last six away from home, which is a tough ask for anyone, so we are certainly looking forward to getting back to the Turf. It’s become an important place for us for many different reasons.
“You have to play everyone home and away at some stage and the cluster just fell because of the Liverpool switch earlier in the season, but we knew that run was coming and it’s been a tough little run.
“Now we are back at Turf Moor for five of our last nine and although that doesn’t guarantee anything, I think it’s fair to say it gives us more chance of getting more points on the board. Even if you look at Spurs, their away record is nowhere near their home record. It just goes to show that it’s tough on the road in the Premier League.
“A lot is made of our record, but even with a fine side they have still not got the wins on the table away from home, so that gives us that little glimmer and we will take on the game as we always do.”
Nine games left and with 32 points already on the board left Dyche saying: “The season is in our own hands and we have got ourselves into a healthy position and now it’s a case of continuing what we are doing and adding the detail.
“We know Spurs will be a tough game. I just think they are one of the top sides in the division and I really like the way they go about their business. They can mix the game up and play with pace and pass through the units very quickly.”
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