Mauricio Pochettino has criticised the atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after his sides poor run of form continued with a 1-1 draw with Watford.
Dele Alli’s late equaliser salvaged a point for a Tottenham side who were once again well below their best, after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s early opener had threatened to secure bottom club Watford a first league win of the season.
Pochettino has conceded his side produced another below-par performance, but says the atmosphere inside the club’s new stadium made it difficult for his players to respond.
“The performance wasn’t great, but when you concede an early goal it is always tough, it is a difficult situation,” Pochettino said in his post-match press conference.
“The atmosphere wasn’t in the way you love to play, it wasn’t the best. It is not easy. When I was a professional footballer in this type of situation it was always difficult.”
Dele Alli's equaliser stands. Eventually. pic.twitter.com/M4nOvfWVMy
— BT Sport Score (@btsportscore) October 19, 2019
The draws means Spurs have now won just once in their past seven fixtures in all competitions, a torrid run of form that includes humbling 7-2 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Pochettino is hopeful Alli’s late goal can be the ‘first step’ in rebuilding his side’s confidence, with the North London side set to return to European action next week with a home fixture against Red Star Belgrade.
“For me [Alli’s goal] is the first step to build our confidence,” he added.
“The other day a friend said to me that in five years it’s the first time we’ve received a knock like that 7-2 and it’s a new thing for us and the players.
“I have to say that in the last 20 minutes our fans were amazing and pushed us on.”
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