Pochettino defends Adebayor captaincy
Spurs secure 1-0 win over Sheffield in League Cup but fans unhappy.
Tottenham Hotspur's Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor gestures for a corner during the English League Cup semi-final first leg football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at White Hart Lane in London, on January 21, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
Mauricio Pochettino defended his decision to name Emmanuel Adebayor as Tottenham captain after the Togo striker was subjected to more abuse from fans during the League Cup semi-final win over Sheffield United.
The former Arsenal and Manchester City star angered sections of the north London club’s fanbase earlier this season by claiming Tottenham’s players preferred away games because they struggled to cope with the unrealistic expectations of the home crowd.
It was a bold decision by the Tottenham manager which backfired as Adebayor delivered a lacklustre performance before being substituted early in the second half with more jeers from fans ringing in his ears.
“We need to give confidence and hope [to players] they have the possibility to score,” said Pochettino.
“In football you never know. Maybe in the next game he will get a goal and then score many more.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2015.
Mauricio Pochettino defended his decision to name Emmanuel Adebayor as Tottenham captain after the Togo striker was subjected to more abuse from fans during the League Cup semi-final win over Sheffield United.
The former Arsenal and Manchester City star angered sections of the north London club’s fanbase earlier this season by claiming Tottenham’s players preferred away games because they struggled to cope with the unrealistic expectations of the home crowd.
It was a bold decision by the Tottenham manager which backfired as Adebayor delivered a lacklustre performance before being substituted early in the second half with more jeers from fans ringing in his ears.
“We need to give confidence and hope [to players] they have the possibility to score,” said Pochettino.
“In football you never know. Maybe in the next game he will get a goal and then score many more.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2015.