Pochettino embraces packed Spurs schedule

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino is adamant
his players are capable of handling the challenge of
playing three matches in six days.

Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham are ready for the
physical and mental challenge of playing three games in six
days, starting with the visit of struggling Aston Villa to White
Hart Lane.

Spurs host Villa in the Premier League on Monday, before
another home game against Anderlecht in the Europa League on
Thursday.

After that comes a crucial trip to the Emirates Stadium on
November 8 to face Arsenal in the first North London derby of
the league season.

While opportunities for recovery and tactical preparation will be
limited in the days ahead, Pochettino has claimed his team are
capable of handling the hectic schedule.

"We need to accept it and we need to be ready and to work hard
to try to avoid the problems that [come] when you play every
two days. It's not a big issue, we are ready to compete on
Monday, Thursday and Sunday," he told a news conference.

"During the 10 months [of the season] it sometimes happens
that you have a very tough week. But I think it's not an excuse
for not getting a good result in Europe. I think the balance is
good, we cannot complain."

Villa will arrive in the capital without a manager and bottom of
the table following the sacking of ex-Tottenham boss Tim
Sherwood, having lost their last five matches in all
competitions.

However, Pochettino has warned his team, who are sixth in the
Premier League, not to be complacent.

"Every game is tough in the Premier League and they have the
motivation to win the game, to show the new manager that they
can compete," he added.

Kevin MacDonald is in caretaker charge of Villa after the
dismissal of Sherwood, who was sacked last Sunday with the
club holding just four points from 10 Premier League games
this season.

Pochettino said: "We know him [MacDonald] - he's a manager
that we have information on but the most important thing is
how we [approach] the game. We need to be focused, we need
to forget that Aston Villa are last in the table."