Mauricio Pochettino EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham manager admits his team may have reached their limit after 2-1 defeat at Southampton

Mauricio Pochettino EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham manager admits his team may have reached their limit after 2-1 defeat at Southampton
Mauricio Pochettino has conceded Tottenham are currently not at the level of the Premier League title race and added that a top four hunt is more realistic for the club.Spurs were beaten 2-1 at Southampton on Saturday, continuing a torrid run of recent league form in which they have taken just one solitary point from their last four matches.3

Pochettino watched from the stands at Southampton due to a touchline ban

Reacting to the defeat, Pochettino told talkSPORTs Alex Crook: Its a difficult thing, we are talking about the last nearly five years to change a mentality.That is a clear example that we are still not mature enough.When you talk a lot and when you find a lot of solution, its only one way, its to try to change, making different decisions thats from the past.Of course, maybe that is our limit. Its a little bit sad, but maybe we need to start to think that we need to operate in a different way from the start of next season.”3

Tottenham’s players were dejected after throwing away their lead

Harry Kane put Spurs ahead on the south coast, but Yan Valery and James Ward-Prowse ruined their afternoon.Regarding what specifically needs to change at Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino continued: I think we need to find the way to operate that we can provide the club to try to achieve the last step.I think we are doing a fantastic job in the last four/five years, but I think we need more and still we are not there.If we want to put the club in the last step like the people is talking, its of course that we need to find a way to try to provide the club the style that is going to make us to be better.” In Europe, Tottenham have performed fantastically of late as they dispatched German giants Borussia Dortmund 4-0 on aggregate to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.However, due to their slump in league form, Spurs have now been dragged into a four-way battle (with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal) for two qualification places that guarantee entry into next seasons competition.When asked whether he is now worried his team may miss out on the top four and fail to qualify for the Champions League, Pochettino added: I am not concerned. I think we are there and that is our reality.3

Mauricio Pochettino believes the top four race is Spurs’ level at present

I think everyone put us like a contender with Manchester City and Liverpool and now we are showing that it is not our level to be there.Of course maybe we were overachieving in the last few months but of course that is the level that we were showing.This afternoon, to win a game that after 45 minutes we deserve to be 3-0 or 4-0 up and then in the second half its a massive blessing for the opponent.Its too difficult to talk about the last step, its too difficult to be a contender if at the end of the day if you are not in the top four, only you can blame yourself.

---

EFL 'saddened' after spate of incidents of alleged racist abuse over weekend A man is arrested after allegedly abusing a Derby County player, while Northampton players say they were abused near a
Wilfried Zaha #11 News, Stats, Photos - Crystal Palace

---

Welcome to the Evening Standard's LIVE blog dedicated to the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip. Having completed the signing of Dan James from Swansea, Manchester United are looking to
NewsNow: Spurs Transfer News news | Breaking News 24/7

---

The injury of Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck could ensure that good things happen at the Emirates in the January transfer marker. The England international is reported to be hospitalized with claims by manager Unia Emery that the injury looks serious as he looks to be on the sideline for a longer time.

---

Harry Maguire reveals he does not respect Matej Vydra after crunching tackle left Czech Republic striker regretting targeting Leicester City defender by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 23 Mar +Harry Maguire had the last laugh over Matej Vydra after being described as 'England's weak link' by the Burnley striker.
Matej Vydra reveals Czech plan to exploit weakness of Harry

---

Paul Pogba to push for Manchester United exit this summer - sources The 26-year-old midfielder said back in March that he dreams of But the fear for United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rejects Paul Pogba transfer talk

---

Former Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis scares ball boy with

---

Monaco have appointed Leonardo Jardim as their new first-team coach following the sacking of Thierry Henry. Thierry Henry sacked as Leonardo Jardim returns to return to AS Monaco, where he
AS Monaco Confirm Leonardo Jardim's Return to Replace Sacked

---

Adrian Durham has blasted Unai Emery's decision to start Chelsea legend Petr Cech in Wednesday night's Europa League final - insisting it should 'not happen'. Cech will make his final appearance for the Gunners against his former side in the first of two all-England European finals this week.
~ Adrian Durham SLAMS Arsenal boss Unai Emery for starting

---

It's coming home Gareth Southgate's men take on the Netherlands on Thursday, live on talkSPORT, for a place in Sunday's final England and Portugal are joint-favourites to win the Nations League.
Cries from Liverpool after they were robbed one goal against

---

Milan to consider permanent move for Chelsea loanee Despite a topsy turvy start to life in Italy, Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko is gradually changing his fortunes at the club as he impressed for AC Milan on Monday.
Tiemoue Bakayoko high on Chelsea wish list, Arsenal move for

---

Vlasic criticises Everton's 'awful' game under former boss Allardyce Former Everton boss Sam Allardyce says that he is "surprised" by the news that Anthony Martial has reportedly been offered

---

Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson has been thwarted in his bid to force an independent review of Championship clubs' finances. Gibson's proposal was overturned by the 'majority' of the
Championship clubs reject Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson's

---

Vinnie Jones has admitted he would have 'smashed' Celtic's Scott Brown for his wind-up merchant antics in Sunday's fiery Old Firm derby. But he says he would have been smarter than Rangers bad boy Alfredo Morelos than to lash out straight away.
Scott Brown: Vinnie Jones reveals what he would have done to
hollywoodadviser.com/scott-brown-vinnie-jones-reveals-what-he-would-have-done-to-celtic-captain-during-old-firm-derby/
'IT'S ON' The midfielder was accused of goading Rangers players, with Alfredo Morelos and Andy Halliday receiving their marching orders at Celtic Park Vinnie Jones has admitted he would have 'smashed' Celtic's Scott Brown for his wind-up merchant antics in Sunday's fiery Old Firm derby.
Scott Brown: Vinnie Jones reveals what he would have done to

---

Carvalhal is unable to select the cup-tied Andy King and Andre Ayew, so Tom Carroll and Ki Sung-yueng take their places in the centre of midfield and Tammy Abraham is given another opportunity in
AVFC Musings

---

Roberto Firmino has returned to training for Liverpool on Tuesday despite previous claims he could miss the rest of the season.. The Brazil star was absent for last Friday's 5-0 win over
Firmino returns to Liverpool training ahead of UCL final

---