• Tottenham 4-0 QPR

Pochettino hails attack as Redknapp suffers nightmare return

ESPN staff
August 24, 2014
Nacer Chadli impressed with two goals in Tottenham's victory against QPR © PA Photos
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Mauricio Pochettino wants to keep his playmakers firmly in the spotlight after they all shone brightly in Tottenham's 4-0 win over QPR.

Pochettino is well known for advocating an attacking philosophy and it was his front players who stole the show on Harry Redknapp's return to White Hart Lane as Spurs romped to a comfortable victory.

Redknapp endures miserable return

  • Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp said a lack of energy, rather than tactical issues, caused their 4-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
  • "I don't know if that is a problem," he said when asked about his formation. "We played okay last week playing that way, it is about energy really. We were slower on the ball and were off the pace a bit - in certain areas we weren't sharp enough. We have to work harder both with and without the ball.
  • "I don't think it is about systems. That system allows me to get two strikers into the team which I was trying to do.
  • "[Loic] Remy doesn't play up on his own, it is difficult. Charlie Austin doesn't play up on his own. You look to play 4-4-2 and you get slaughtered in midfield. It is not easy."

Erik Lamela, Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen and Emmanuel Adebayor proved far too strong for the back three deployed by Redknapp.

Chadli scored twice in the first half, either side of a second goal in as many Premier League appearances for Eric Dier, while Adebayor added a fourth in the second-half to take Spurs top of the embryonic table.

"Lamela, Adebayor, Chadli and Eriksen create the movement and rotate - they are free," Pochettino said. "We work a lot on the training ground but it is important that the players are free in their minds because they are creative players.

"You cannot put the players like that in the shade. You need to provide the organisation but after that they are free. It is true that Lamela can improve a lot. He is still young and when a young player arrives in a different country it is hard to adapt.

"We all know his skills and we are very pleased for him and for all of the squad - today was a very good day."

Despite being pleased with his first competitive home game in charge of Spurs, Pochettino was quick to dispel any early season talk of a title tilt.

"It is nothing," he replied when asked about Tottenham sitting top of the table. "It is two games. The most important thing is to try and develop our style and philosophy, today we showed our basis.

"For me, it is important that the team show they are a team. We played like a team all together and we can achieve something.

"It is important to keep the reality and stay calm. If you lose two games you are in danger but we need to keep calm, it is only the beginning of the season."

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