Don't judge Mauricio Pochettino on Tottenham's cup exits, warns Javi Gracia

Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I

Watford head coach Javi Gracia has come out in defence of Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino has come under fire in the past few days after Spurs were eliminated from both the EFL Cup and FA Cup last week.

Gracia, however, believes such criticism is not fair and he is confident Tottenham will still have good season in the Champions League and Premier League.

“I think he (Pochettino) is doing very well at Tottenham. Now after losing the last two games, maybe some opinions can change,” said Gracia.

“But not my opinion, my opinion is the same. You can win, you can lose, but you can see how the team plays and you can recognise his style.

Action Images via Reuters

“I am sure he will do a very good job in the Champions League and the Premier League as well.

“My opinion is not only thinking about the last two games. I think it is not fair. But it is football and sometimes the results decide many things – but not my opinion.”

Much of the criticism towards Pochettino stemmed from the fact that he made seven changes for Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Crystal Palace.

It was argued the 46-year-old should have named a stronger side to help Spurs lift a first trophy since 2008.

However, Gracia has sympathy for his opponent tomorrow as he made 11 changes for Watford’s FA Cup win over Newcastle on Saturday.

In Pictures | Crystal Palace vs Tottenham | 27/01/2019

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“I don’t know how his team is in this moment and what they need in this moment,” Gracia added.

“But I know what we need and in that moment we needed to change players and compete with those players, because I think it was the best option. He decided the same.

“I am sure he wanted to progress in the FA Cup or the Carabao Cup as well. He decided that because he thought it would be best.”

In Harry Kane’s absence tomorrow, Fernando Llorente could once again be given the chance to lead the line and Gracia is wary of threat he can pose.

“I know him very well because when he played in Athletic Bilbao, I think he played really, really well,” said Gracia.

“He played in the national team and always at a high level. I am sure if he plays more games he will play better day by day, because like all the players he needs to play regularly to show his best level.”

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