Jamie Carragher has claimed in the Telegraph that Mauricio Pochettino must reverse his dismal away record against top-six opponents if Tottenham are to win the Premier League title.
The high profile pundit has insisted that Spurs cannot triumph this season if they do not improve against their fellow Champions League contenders when they are on the road.
Tottenham travel to Manchester United for Saturday’s lunchtime showdown eager to build upon their impressive 4-1 triumph against Liverpool last weekend.
The victory lifted Spurs to level on points with Jose Mourinho’s side, who had suffered a shock home loss to Huddersfield 24 hours earlier.
Carragher wrote in his Telegraph column: “Something has to give this weekend if United and Spurs are to prove they will last the pace.
“Mourinho must re-assert his authority against stellar opponents or Mauricio Pochettino has to reverse an equally poor away record at such venues.
“Pochettino has won one of 15 away games against top six rivals since taking over at Tottenham in 2014. Spurs cannot win the title without this radically improving, and the loss of Harry Kane this weekend is a serious setback.
“Whoever gets it right will have jockeyed themselves into an ideal position alongside City. This is the point when the dynamics of the title race take shape. There is a stop-start feel to the season until now because the international breaks upset the flow. Once they are out of the way you get a sense who the real challengers are.”
OPINION
That Spurs are punching massively above their weight under the brilliant Pochettino is unarguable. They are an expansive, vibrant and mightily impressive side who are genuine title contenders this season. Again. But Tottenham must be as effective on the road against the big guns as they have been at home in the last season or two. They will be hugely encouraged by the crushing win over Liverpool, but United away is a tougher assignment, as the defence will not be nearly as accommodating. Pochettino will also be unable to call upon talisman and goalscorer-in-chief Kane. But top teams cope even without their star men. And Spurs must do so to reach the next level.