Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham fringe players who struggled against Wycombe 'have a problem'

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Sam Long28 January 2017

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says the fringe players who struggled in today's victory over Wycombe Wanderers "have a problem".

Pochettino opted to make a flurry of changes to the side that drew with Manchester City last weekend and it almost cost the north Londoners dearly.

Spurs went behind three times before late goals from Dele Alli and Heung-min Son eventually secured a thrilling 4-3 win over the League Two minnows.

Pochettino challenged his players to prove their worth against Gareth Ainsworth's side before kick off and has appeared to deliver a scathing review of those who were unable to step up to the plate.

Pochettino said: "We are involved in different competitions but if you sign for Tottenham and are in the squad of Tottenham this type of game you can play.

"If you cannot play this type of game then OK - we will have a problem.

"From the first moment they were clinical and found a way to create chances. It was difficult in the first half but in the second have we increased our level.

"To play the last 13 minutes with one less [man] there are a lot of positives to take."

Wycombe were unfortunate not to secure a replay at the very least, having been the better side for large parts of the encounter at White Hart Lane.

And Pochettino says his time at Spurs has helped him understand why the FA Cup, which often produces shock results, is such a unique competition.

"It was difficult from me four years ago but now I realise it's a special competition," said the Argentine.

"It's the special in the world. You can't replicate it in Spain or France

"They [Wycombe] believed they can beat us here [at home]. It's the beauty of the FA Cup," Pochettino added.

Spurs will have little time to reflect on today's thrilling game as Pochettino's side resume their Premier League campaign when they travel to Sunderland on Tuesday night.

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