Toby Alderweireld has said Mauricio Pochettino “will be missed” when Tottenham face Southampton and Liverpool without their manager in the dugout.
However, Alderweireld thinks the players are “mature enough” to execute Pochettino’s game plan while the Argentinian serves his two-match touchline ban in the stands.
Pochettino received the punishment, which also includes a £10,000 fine, following an altercation with referee Mike Dean after the final whistle of Spurs’ defeat at Burnley last month.
The Tottenham boss appeared to react angrily to the FA’s decision in his press conference after Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.
The Telegraph claims Spurs are furious with the extent of the punishment, but Alderweireld insists the players will deliver good performances for their manager.
“I think we have a clear idea of how we want to play and he will show us before the game what we need to do,” Alderweireld said.
“I think the group is mature enough to play the way he wants to and the technical staff is big enough to cope with it. Of course, he will be missed, but I think it’s up to us to step up and deliver the performance he wants.”
Pochettino will miss out on a chance to return to the touchline at St Mary’s, where he managed Southampton before joining Tottenham in the summer of 2014.
There is a chance Spurs will appeal the ban and Pochettino will only miss one game, meaning he could back in the dugout for the trip to Anfield.
It just goes to show what a bunch of idiots the FA blazers are when Spurs committed so many players for the English World Cup team and then you get this kind of slap in the face.
I agree with the comment made by Keith Horton above. THe FA are like schoolmasters giving a “pupil” 6 of the best. Whacko! Spurs contribution to English football is enormous and ongoing. Perhaps Mike Dean should be suspended. His quality of refereeing is poor.