Ian Wright: Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino should try to win the much-derided Europa League
He is facing decision time over how to prioritise... and it has to be switching focus and going all guns blazing for European glory at the expense of the title
MAURICIO POCHETTINO is facing decision time at Tottenham – one which could shape how they go for the rest of the season.
And I think it has to see him switching his focus and going all guns blazing for European glory – at the likely expense of a sustained title challenge.
Pochettino doesn’t have to convince me he’s a good coach. We’ve already seen enough proof of that throughout his time in England.
He’s also no mug. Which is why he won’t need me to tell him that the Spurs squad lacks the depth to go all the way in the Premier AND Europa Leagues.
Throw in the FA Cup – although I know changes will be made in that competition – and that’s why I feel he has to prioritise their targets.
Look, no team will ever go into any match in any competition thinking “we’ll take it easier here, we don’t want to pick up injuries.”
But Pochettino knows that if his key men pick up knocks, and are out for any length of time, he could have big problems.
If the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Dele Alli or especially Harry Kane is injured, it could rob them of so much. It would really scupper their chances.
That’s why Poch has to make a choice, and it will be really interesting to see how he shuffles his pack now.
I know it’s all about money now, it’s all about finishing top four and getting into the Champions League.
But don’t forget that winning the Europa League offers a route into that as well – and as a player there is nothing like the feeling of a winners’ medal.
I am so proud to look back on the silverware from my own career. Of course it was a totally different era, and things like the CupWinners’ Cup meant so much more.
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Sevilla won the Europa League three years in a row, a phenomenal achievement, but it hardly seems to get a mention.
Yet as a player you want to have medals and finals to look back on when you’re finished, not whether you finished fourth and made the Champions League.
Believe me, once you have won something, you want to win again and again.
And those Spurs players are right when they say they need to get the first trophy to be taken seriously as a major force.
They have a very winnable last 32 game against Gent, and when they have their first XI out there, Tottenham are as good as anyone in that competition.
Ironically, given they will probably finish below Spurs in the Prem, I think Manchester United actually have a stronger squad to challenge on both fronts.
They are also going for the top four as well as the Europa League, but certainly have momentum behind them right now and will fancy their chances against St Etienne.
In respect of the depth available, Jose Mourinho will probably find it easier to shuffle his pack than Pochettino because he’ll be bringing in top notch internationals as back-up.
For Spurs, it is vital they get Danny Rose back as quickly as possible, and get back to playing the system which clearly suits them so well.
They lost at Liverpool on Saturday, but there is no shame in that because when they’re firing like they did, they’ll beat most.
But it was worrying to see how poor Spurs were – and an indication that they can’t afford to have too many big hitters missing.
So because of that Poch has to make a big call over the next few months.
If it’s the one I think he should, they could end it as Europa League winners – and then they’ll be back in the main event next season in any case.