Spurs seek new year revolution

Mauricio Pochettino hopes to change the mindset of his players with Tottenham perceived by many to be under a Chelsea spell.

Spurs lost 3-0 to their London rivals on December 3 at Stamford Bridge — a venue where their most recent win came in February 1990.

And Pochettino’s side are in the midst of a 10-match winless run against the Blues, whose last defeat to Spurs was at White Hart Lane in April 2010.

“We need to try to change (that),” Pochettino said. “Maybe it is a moment, but we need to fight to win on January 1.

“For the fans it is very important to win but we need to play and do our jobs.

“We need to believe. We are in a different moment. We have grown and learned from that game and our organisation and mentality and physical condition.”

Pochettino will hope his fighting instruction is not taken literally.

Spurs defender Federico Fazio punched Chelsea striker Diego Costa in the stomach during an altercation when the pair were at Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, respectively.

Pochettino laughed off that incident — “We need to ask them,” he said — but knows his side must last the distance against Chelsea.

Spurs, whose side drew 0-0 with Manchester United on Sunday, were on top for much of the opening 20 minutes of the clash four weeks ago, but, once Eden Hazard had broken the deadlock, Didier Drogba added a quick-fire second, effectively ending the contest.

Pochettino who took over last summer after leaving Southampton, believes Spurs are more settled now, with time needed for him to exert his influence.

He said: “As always you need time to settle your philosophy, and maybe it is difficult to take time in football but this is the reality.

“Our job is not allowed time, (but) time is important for us when you want to change direction.

“We are very happy now with the players and squad and you always can improve. So far we are happy.

“We need to show the same character and spirit (as against United).

“In the past one or two months we have improved a lot in this area and I think we are happy.”

Pochettino remembers Blues boss Jose Mourinho well from his playing days at Espanyol, when the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ was cutting his coaching teeth at Catalan rivals Barcelona.

“I remember always Mourinho. He was a big figure and all the players have a very good memory of him,” said Pochettino, who declined to reveal any particular stories from their shared past. “We had a good relationship.”

Mourinho, meanwhile, cares little that Chelsea’s eight-point advantage over Manchester City has been cut to three at the halfway point of the season.

The Blues have been pace-setters since their opening win at Burnley, with only today’s opponents Tottenham temporarily overtaking them on goal difference after two rounds of matches.

“We are top of the league at the end of the first round because we deserve it and because it is a consequence of what we did.

“Chelsea is playing very well since the beginning of the season. That’s the only thing we work at, the only thing we concentrate on.

“And in the second part of the season we are going to try to do exactly the same thing.

“Against Tottenham, we will be there again trying to get a good result.”

Mourinho is chasing a third Premier League title and Chelsea’s first in five years. Seven times he has led a championship on Christmas Day — in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain — and each time his teams have gone on to win the title.

Mourinho has a full squad to choose from for the trip to White Hart Lane to play a Spurs side who are without a win in 10 matches against their London rivals. Tottenham have not beaten Chelsea since April 2010.

Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is aware of the record and knows “the smallest mistake” will be punished.

“They want to give you confidence with the ball and then with the smallest mistake they punish you,” he said.“We are aware of that. It will be a tough game and we need concentration and desire in front of our crowd to get a great performance.”

Chelsea’s only defeat this term came when key midfielder Nemanja Matic was absent, suspended. Another important performer is Eden Hazard, who scored at Southampton to take his season’s tally to 10. The Belgian is enjoying Chelsea being the pace-setters. “To stay at the top is always important. If you are first, it’s always good.”