Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham struggles will be 'good for the future'

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Alex Young @alexwsyoung2 December 2017

Mauricio Pochettino has urged patience in the face of Tottenham's worst run of form in over 18 months.

Christian Kabasele headed the Hornets into the early lead, before Son Heung-min Son's tap-in dragged Spurs level at the break.

Davinson Sanchez was rightly dismissed just shy of the hour for clattering Watford forward Richarlison with a forearm to the face as Spurs held on for a 1-1 draw.

Not since the tail end of the 2015-16 season have Spurs lost two and drawn two in four games.

"We deserved more," Pochettino told BBC Sport. "In the second half we played more than 40 minutes with one less and the team was brave and tried to win the game.

"I am happy. In the last few weeks we have been frustrated but the face the team showed today was good. Sometimes you need to feel that frustration and learn.

He added: "It is important for us to change the feelings. We were disappointed after Leicester. We are in a period now that we suffered things against us. It is good for the group to try and learn. It is a long-term project. It will be good for the future. You want to win but in tough moments you learn."

Sanchez will now miss the next three games for Tottenham, visits of Stoke and Brighton before a trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Premier League title favourites Manchester City.

Getty Images

Pochettino continued: "I think it wasn’t intentional for Davinson to make what he made. I am not going to talk about the refereeing decision any more. For me one of the first questions is about a controversial situation. My decision is not going to change it.

He added: "It is so difficult to play with one less. I think it was important miss for us but the good thing is we did not concede. We were close to scoring. We handled the game well during the second half and I was happy with the performance."

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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