Mauricio Pochettino admits he thought Tottenham would win the league after Stoke win

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Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham are a
Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham are a 'special' team at attracting players

Mauricio Pochettino returns to the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday less than five months after Tottenham's 4-0 win over Stoke led him to believe they would win the Premier League.

England duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli both scored two goals each as Spurs cruised to an emphatic win on April 18, keeping their championship ambitions alive as they approached the end of the 2015-16 campaign.

Leicester still held a five-point lead with four games to play but Pochettino has now admitted the manner of the victory had convinced him his side would go on to lift the trophy before they suffered an end-of-season collapse, which eventually saw them finish third.

Asked if he thought Spurs were going to win the league after the win at Stoke, Pochettino replied: "Yes.

"After our performance and our victory, it was a fantastic 4-0, we all believed it would be possible to win the league, yes.

"One thing is to believe and another is to deliver and win games, it was difficult and then it was the draw against West Brom at home.

"We played some of the best football in the first 45 minutes, because it was fantastic the way we played.

"Then in the second half, in our set-piece from a corner, they scored and it was a draw and we felt very disappointed, then it was Chelsea."

Pochettino has now reflected on the premature thoughts of title glory and says Spurs, who have won just one of their opening three Premier League games this season, need to be able to prove they have the credentials to achieve silverware after their disappointment last time around.

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"It is true that after Stoke we felt it was possible, difficult but possible," Pochettino added.

"The confidence and the belief is important for the team and the players but then you need to deliver.

"Always in our minds we are winners but then you have to deliver and I think maybe we didn't compete in the way we must compete to win the league.

"That is where we need to improve this season, to compete better." 

Spurs will have the added distraction of Champions League football to contend with this season, and have brought in the likes of Vincent Janssen, Vincent Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko to bolster their squad for the dual competitions. 

Moussa Sissoko has signed a five-year deal at Tottenham (pic from SpursOfficial)
Moussa Sissoko has signed a five-year deal at Tottenham (pic from SpursOfficial)

Pochettino revealed Sissoko, who signed for £30m on Transfer Deadline Day despite reported interest from Everton, could be in line to make his debut against Stoke this weekend. The Argentine believes Spurs' ability to attract players comes from the club's infrastructure, not financial muscle.

"Our power is not on the financial side, our power is our facilities, the way we play, it is in the way our supporters show passion," he added.

"I think Tottenham is a very big club for players that have passion and want to play not only for money but to achieve things and enjoy football.

"Maybe we need to ask people outside Tottenham, but we feel inside that in the last window that Tottenham is a very special team for players who want to enjoy football." 

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Source : skysports[dot]com

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