Mauricio Pochettino not 'obsessed' with winning a trophy as Tottenham return to FA Cup action

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Tom Collomosse6 February 2018

Mauricio Pochettino insists winning a trophy is not an “obsession” for him as he chases his first major prize as a manager with Tottenham in the FA Cup.

Tottenham face Newport in a fourth-round replay on Wednesday at Wembley, and Pochettino is expected to rotate heavily as his team face Arsenal on Saturday and Juventus three days later.

For all Pochettino’s good work, he has yet to get Spurs over the finishing line, meaning they have not been on the top step of the podium since taking the League Cup in 2008.

Asked if he needed a trophy, Pochettino said: “No, I don’t feel that. Of course, the intention and desire is to win but I am not obsessed to win, win, win, win. We need a strong team and a winning mentality.

“For that you need time. You never know, in one, two, three or five years. We are in a good place, waiting for the new stadium, which will be an amazing thing or us, the fans and the club.

“With the facilities we have to work with, if everything continues in this way then Tottenham will be one of the contenders to win trophies. We want to win a trophy because I did it as a player and I know how you feel afterwards.”

Pochettino may field an entirely different XI from the one that started Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool, especially as the Arsenal match is a 12.30pm kick-off at Wembley.

Victor Wanyma, Erik Lamela and Fernando Llorente, who came on as substitutes at Anfield, are expected to start along with Serge Aurier, Danny Rose, Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko.

Toby Alderweireld is in the squad for the first time since damaging his hamstring in the 3-1 win over Real Madrid on November 1 and he may taste some action.

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