Former Welsh international and talkSPORT pundit Dean Saunders has slaughtered the Tottenham players after a report claimed that they were complaining about tiredness this early in the season.
The Times have reported that a number of Spurs stars have been left bemoaning a lack of time off and that their busy schedule, including the World Cup, has been a key factor in their run of poor form, with three successive defeats across all competitions.
Saunders has been left furious with the suggestion they could be asking for more breaks, insisting that other clubs are not looking as fragile after undergoing the same sort of regime.
He told Alan Brazil’s Sport Breakfast on talkSPORT (20/09): “(It’s) absolute nonsense, honestly. Are Liverpool’s players tired?
“Last game of the season, count how many games those players have played till this day today. How many in the World Cup, six, if you played every game, and six Premier League games? So they’ve played 12 games in about four months.
“You’re a footballer, you finish when you’re 35. You play football to the bet of your ability, week in, week out.”
"Tired!? Absolute nonsense!"
? Several #THFC players have reportedly put their slump in form down to exhaustion!
But Alan and Dean Saunders don't believe modern day footballers can use tiredness as an excuse!
Do you agree? ? pic.twitter.com/cEEQPH1tTc
— talkSPORT Breakfast (@TSBreakfast) September 20, 2018
Opinion
Saunders has not let the Tottenham players off lightly after the allegations they are tired, but what he might not be realising is how hard Mauricio Pochettino is working them behind the scenes. The Argentine is known as a stickler for hard work and dedication and if he is drilling them to within an inch of their lives during their preparation for a game, then they may well be left feeling the results during the competitive clash. However, he is absolutely right – we are only six games into the new season, and these excuses should be coming up much later, if at all. Everyone had the chance for a break, those at the World Cup being given extended time off, and not everyone has played every minute of every game from the end of last season to today. Spurs players need to sort themselves out and stop coming up with excuses to blame their poor form on.