London – Mauricio Pochettino refused to blame the effects of Tottenham Hotspur's midweek Europa League trip to Belgrade after his side slumped to a second successive home Premier League defeat, against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
The Spurs manager insisted his squad should have been able to cope with the demands of competing on two fronts, and admitted he was angered by his players' ponderous display in a 1-0 loss at White Hart Lane where Scotland international James Morrison's 74th-minute headed goal helped the Baggies climb off the bottom of the table.
“The Europa League is no excuse,” said Pochettino.
“We changed ten different players from the Partizan game. We were in a good condition to play today (Sunday) so that is why we it is strange we were so slow.
“My feeling was that we didn't feel comfortable on the pitch.”
The former Southampton manager added: “At the beginning of the game we were really slow, moved the ball slow and had a really slow tempo. Our approach was wrong.
“I was angry. Or disappointed. I don't know the best word to describe my feeling but we had a very, very bad day,” the Argentinian said.
“I was surprised by the approach. We need to show more because in the Premier League, every game is difficult.
“We were slow and had a lack of movement. Then it's difficult to get into the game. You need to show you are the best team and the way we played didn't allow us to do this.”
Pochettino must now lift his side for the League Cup tie with Nottingham Forest before next weekend's north London derby clash against Arsenal.
West Brom's first win of the season eased the early pressure on manager Alan Irvine who had already come in for criticism after the Midlands club found themselves rooted to the foot of the table.
Joleon Lescott made his first Baggies appearance following his move from Manchester City in place of Jonas Olsson and Irvine insisted he had been right to delay the centre-back's debut.
“We would have been taking a big risk if we had put him in before he was ready. We have already had one set-back with him but we felt he was ready this week after two weeks of training without any twinges,” Irvine explained.
“Jonas wasn't injured. I spoke to him yesterday (Saturday) and told him what my intentions were,” the Scottish boss added.
“He knows he has made a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes in the last couple of games and they have been very costly.”
Some Albion fans have also turned on skipper Chris Brunt during a difficult start but Irvine was delighted with the Northern Ireland midfielder's response.
“I said this week Chris is an important player for this club. He has a big part to play. There was no thought on my part of leaving him out and stripping him of the captaincy as some people said this week.”
Irvine added: “I'd be lying if I said there wasn't an element of relief at getting the win but the overall feeling is one of pleasure at the result.
“It's my most satisfying day in management for West Bromwich Albion. It's great to get that first win.
“We looked like we were going to get the win on the first day (a 2-2 draw with Sunderland) and that would have put an end to this.”– Sapa-AFP