Tottenham cannot treat Premier League title as a priority as rivals do, insists Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham cannot treat a title challenge with the same focus as their top six rivals and that, given their circumstances, they should be partying in north London.

Spurs equalled their best ever start to a Premier League season after eight games with their win over Cardiff on Saturday as Eric Dier’s early finish was enough to secure three points on a nervy afternoon at Wembley.

Pochettino was delighted with the achievement of finishing in the top four last season having spent the entire campaign with no ‘home’ and now faces the task of moving halfway through a season with their new stadium severely delayed.

Those problems, as well as a large investment programme at their Hotspur Way training base, changes the ‘reality’ for Tottenham, Pochettino claims.

In Pictures | Tottenham vs Cardiff City | 06/10/2018

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“People talk too much about Tottenham. Tottenham must win titles to improve but that’s not true,” the Argentine said.

“We need to finish our stadium, training ground and provide the team and the fans to feel home and happy and then invest in the team and work hard. That’s not an excuse.

“We take our decision to think about football and the club too. While our contenders only think about football and try and improve the team only to win. And that’s a massive difference between us and the rest of the contenders.

“The rest of the clubs in a reality is completely different to us. I’m not frustrated, but it’s not realistic.”

He added: “We can win a title but it’s not compulsory to win a title, that’s the difference. Compulsory to the team that have spent a lot of money but it’s not the case for us.

“With our circumstances, I think we need to party!”

Following the international break Spurs will look to continue their strong League start with a visit to London rivals West Ham.

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