Kane questions Tottenham’s “maturity” after repeat of Arsenal scenario
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane admits he understands why manager Mauricio Pochettino is frustrated after mistakes saw them draw 2-2 with Olympiacos.
Last season’s runners-up, Spurs kicked off their 2019/20 Champions League campaign with an away draw in Greece despite going 2-0 up in the first half.
How did Spurs lose another two-goal lead? Five things to know…
- Tottenham Hotspur opened their 2019/20 Champions League group stage campaign with a 2-2 draw with Olympiacos.
- This is despite Harry Kane and Lucas Moura giving Spurs a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes.
- Daniel Podence pulled a goal back just before half-time and Mathieu Valbuena equalised in the second half.
- It is the second time Spurs have lost a 2-0 lead already this term, also doing so away to Arsenal.
- And Kane believes Spurs will need more maturity to prevent these kinds of mistakes happening again.
It was the second time in as many away games that Spurs have surrendered a two-goal lead, after Arsenal came back to draw 2-2 at the Emirates before the international break.
In the past, Spurs have been given some leeway for being a team in transition under Pochettino, who joined in 2014. But Kane believes Spurs should not be making the same mistakes as they did five years ago.
“The hard part to get your head around is we’re not young any more, we’re not inexperienced,” he told reporters.
“We’ve all played in big games for club and country. I can see why the manager is frustrated because he’s been here for six years now and we’re still making similar mistakes to the ones we were in his first year. We’ve got to find a way to get around it and improve.
“I don’t doubt the mentality of the team. We’ve come through a lot in the last few years, including reaching the Champions League final after being down and out in the group. But a bit more maturity will help.”
After three away games across all competitions this season, Spurs are still awaiting their first win, drawing each match 2-2. They will have the chance to rectify their poor record on Saturday, when they travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City.
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
Kane admits Spurs did not respect Pochettino’s gameplan
As against Arsenal at the end of August, Spurs’ downfall started with Pochettino’s side conceding just before half-time, with Daniel Podence pulling a goal back for Olympiacos.
And Kane admits Spurs did not respect Pochettino’s gameplan, adding: “Conceding before half-time killed our momentum.
“It happened against Arsenal as well. I’m not quite sure how they got through so easily. But especially away from home in the Champions League, you have to knit together, make sure you don’t concede.
“Whether that’s being more compact, going direct and seeing out the clock or something else. At 2-0 up if we see it through to half-time it’s probably a different game.
“At half-time, the gaffer said the players need to respect their positions more. We tried to do that. I don’t think we did it particularly well all game. Any time you’re 2-0 up away, especially in the Champions League, you expect to go on to win. It was a frustrating game.”
