Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics are tiring Spurs out too quickly, says Moussa Sissoko

Moussa Sissoko has suggested Mauricio Pochettino’s use of a diamond midfield contributed to Tottenham’s 7-2 Champions League thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Spurs initially took the lead through Heung-Min Son but were quickly pegged back by goals from Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski to trail 2-1 at half-time.

Is Poch to blame for Spurs’ struggles? Five things to know…

• Spurs suffered a humiliating 7-2 home defeat to Bayern on Tuesday.
• A late collapse saw the Lilywhites concede three goals between the 83rd and 88th minute.
• This was the first time Spurs have allowed seven goals at home in any major competition.
• Moussa Sissoko has taken a swipe at Pochettino’s tactics, saying it fatigues his players too quickly.
• Spurs’ first chance at redemption comes against Brighton this Saturday.

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Things went from bad to worse for the Lilywhites in the second half as, even despite a Harry Kane consolation penalty, they leaked a further five goals, conceding seven times at home for the first time in any major competition.

And in the fallout from the humiliation, Sissoko has suggested that Pochettino’s diamond midfield tires Spurs out too quickly, while also pointing the finger of blame at his team-mates, who he believes “gave up”.

“We get tired too quickly physically when we play with a diamond midfield,” Sissoko told RMC. “We gave up too quickly.”

Alderweireld backs Spurs to turn it around

Spurs’ humiliation to Bayern means Pochettino’s men have won just three of their opening 10 matches across all competitions so far this season.

Up next for the north Londoners is a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday and ahead of that clash, defender Toby Alderweireld has dismissed reports of a fractured dressing room, backing his team-mates to turn things around.

“Sometimes you’re up there and sometimes you’re in the corner where you get slapped,” the Belgium international said. “But you have to fight a way out of the corner. And that’s the moment we’re in now.

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“Everybody cares, and we’ve been in difficult situations before and every time we come out, and this is very difficult, but like I said, we will come out of it.

“It’s important to know what is the reality and how everybody’s committed to the club – and it’s a shame sometimes people don’t see how much effort we as players put in this club. We are having our commitment questioned. But it is nothing to do with this. You know, nothing, nothing.

“I think sometimes it’s a shame that nobody can see the work ethic everybody brings to this club. Everybody’s hungry and wants to work hard.”