talkSPORT host Jim White has said that he thinks Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is “sulking” amid the uncertainty surrounding the club at the moment.
The manager himself has complained about not having control over transfers and recently described his squad as the most unsettled in his time at the club.
Talking on the Jim White show (talkSPORT, Wednesday, midday), White talked about the problems Spurs were facing and said, “I look at him and I’d go as far as to say he’s sulking. I really think he is.
“Even before the Champions League final he wouldn’t commit his future and he said he could go even if they won it. Something’s not right there.
“At the moment I think Tottenham fans would love it if Pochettino would come out and say, ‘I’m here for the long haul’.”
White then talked about the north London derby this weekend and predicted an Arsenal win.
“I can’t see past Arsenal this weekend,” White said. “With the problems with Poch and the uncertainty around their players.”
Former player Trevor Sinclair agreed with him and said Arsenal would shade the match by a single goal.
Terrace talk – Extra juice for north London derby
It’s always a big game but Tottenham’s trip to the Emirates on Sunday has extra juice.
Pochettino has been uncharacteristically negative in recent months and it’s not what fans want to hear. If things are going well on the pitch then it will be ignored but after losing to Newcastle last week, the spotlight is on the club.
Win at Arsenal and all will be forgiven according to these fans. Lose and it could heap even more pressure on a manager who’s struggling to get to grips with what’s going on with his squad.
Absolutely shocking performance yesterday, can't really comment much on it. Players looked sluggish, tired and lacklustre and there was some questionable decisions by Poch again which proved to be costly. Win next week and all is forgiven. #COYS
— Hotspur Edition (@HotspurEdition) August 26, 2019
Totally trust Poch all will be forgiven if we win next week which we are defiantly capable of doing
— Danny Taylor (@DannyTa66451997) August 25, 2019
TiF Verdict
Both teams have their problems at the moment. Tottenham have issues with Eriksen and Arsenal are still problematic at the back. David Luiz was brought in to strengthen the side but made a big blunder to cost the Gunners a goal against Liverpool.
Both teams lost for the first time this season last weekend – Arsenal to Liverpool and Spurs to Newcastle. Of the two the Spurs result was the more surprising.
The bookies have Arsenal as big favorites to win at the Emirates – 13/10 to 9/5. It would be a big result for Arsenal but we think it could easily end in a score draw.