Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton - Pochettino already misses White Hart Lane

Posted Saturday, March 04, 2017 by PA

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino admits he is starting to miss White Hart Lane already as his side prepare to host Everton.

Spurs have only seven games left at their ground before the planned switch to Wembley next season, with Pochettino's men due to kick off in their new B£700million stadium in August 2018.

They welcome the Toffees on Sunday in the first of three matches left against the Premier League's top seven, the other two coming at home to Arsenal and Manchester United in the last four games of the campaign.

Pochettino said: "It's true that it's special this season at White Hart Lane. We can all feel it.

"You can feel that it's very special every time that we play. The people are more open to helping the team, the team is more focused, trying to pay back the supporters for that support.

"And yes, I think it's special. It's a moment when you start to feel very comfortable there. You start to miss it before you leave. Every time you are there, you miss it."

Tottenham have won 11 of their 13 games at home this season - only Chelsea have a better record - including victories over both Antonio Conte's side and Manchester City.

Pochettino knows only too well the emotions of upping sticks after he played in Espanyol's final season at the Sarria Stadium in 1997, the Spanish club's home since 1923.

"I remember very well the last games," Pochettino said.

"It was very emotional, with a big history. It was very special. I was a player and I felt how emotional it was. The last game, the day that the stand came down, how the people cried. It was very, very emotional.

"And now it's happening at White Hart Lane, many, many years after, I am living the same, and feeling the same, that I was 20 years ago."

Spurs are optimistic Harry Kane and Jan Vertonghen will both be fit for the game, while Toby Alderweireld will be given a late fitness test on a groin strain. Danny Rose (knee) and Erik Lamela (hip) remain sidelined.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman is confident his side can cope better with Spurs than Stoke did during their 4-0 thrashing last weekend.

"We will defend differently than they did," he said.

"In the first half Stoke had two big chances to score a goal but you need to stop the strengths of Tottenham. They have really good offensive football in the team - you need to stop (Christian) Eriksen, you need to stop (Dele) Alli.

"Maybe they will play again with three at the back, maybe four defenders, a lot of questions, but they will have those types of questions also about how Everton will play."

Dutchman Koeman has no new injury worries and has been boosted by the return to training of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Muhamed Besic.