Leaky Tottenham won't exercise caution at Manchester United as Mauricio Pochettino vows to play attacking game

 
Not my style: Pochettino says his side will always pplay 'brave' attacking football
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Tom Collomosse13 March 2015

Mauricio Pochettino has vowed always to order his Tottenham team to attack regardless of the effect it could have on their defence.

Spurs travel to Manchester United on Sunday for a crucial game: both sides aim to qualify for next season’s Champions League, with United three points above Spurs with 10 games remaining.

Tottenham have won on each of their last two trips to Old Trafford but their defending is a worry, with only one clean sheet in the league in 2015. Despite that, Pochettino will refuse to consider a more cautious approach.

“I am brave,” he said. “I never think in another way. My football idea is always to concentrate on the opponents’ goal, so why should I change? It goes against my way of thinking.

“My football is about trying to have the ball, playing attacking football and damaging the opponent. This is my feeling, my idea, and I need to translate those ideas to the team.

“I want to win the games, and while it’s true that you need to provide a good balance to the team, but I want to have the ball and try to score.”

Pochettino has led Tottenham to sixth in the table and although it will be tough to break into the top four, their run-in is easier than those of some of their rivals.

Danny Rose is expected to be an important part of Pochettino’s plans. Standard Sport revealed this week that Rose has been offered the chance to play for Jamaica, but that he will wait to see whether he is selected by England boss Roy Hodgson this month before considering it properly.

England play Lithuania and Italy on March 27 and 31 respectively and Pochettino believes Rose deserves to be included. He added: “In my opinion, he has been the best English left-back this season. His performances have been great but after that, it’s Roy Hodgson’s decision, not mine.

“We are a great time. We go to Manchester United believing in our style and we will try to win three points. We have full respect for United but we are very focused on our game, which is the most important thing.

“A lot of teams are fighting for the same target and we are very close, so we know it is very difficult. We have 10 games left, we will try to win at Manchester United and after that we will see what happens.”

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