Has the power cut here at Hotspur Way today affected the first team section?
It's okay. We could train. But it's important to have our power, not electric power.
Will you have the power for the weekend?
We had one week to recharge after the last game, we had a good week and we're well prepared to play this game. It'll be tough because it's never easy in the Premier League. This is one of the worst stadiums to play in for the atmosphere's power. But we have a good squad and I believe in the players, the team and the club. So we're prepared.
If you lose will it kill your top four hopes?
The maths gives us the stock to believe in that. Until that moment [that we can no longer make top four] we continue to believe and push and play to reach this target.
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So until it's mathematically impossible, you'll still believe?
Yes.
Has Fabio's departure impacted preparation?
No, this has not affected preparations because Fabio was far from here for a couple of weeks, so nothing changes in this situation. But humanly we're very close to Fabio, all of us. It was a tough period for him and now the final result is very sad for everyone, for him and his family. Humanly we're very close to him. The club made a statement and this is all that I can say.
Have you been in touch with him?
Yes.
How is he?
It's a tough moment so I want to be close humanly with him. All my heart is with him but it's a tough moment so you can understand this period is tough.
Is there a cumulative effect of all these distractions?
No, I repeat this is not affecting what's happening on the pitch because we're professional and it's been a couple of weeks that Fabio was not here. So it's not a shock, we are well prepared.
What's the latest injury news?
We have Ben Davies back in training, in a part of training only so maybe not ready to play a match but we are close to recover Ben.
Everything started so well this season, where did it go wrong?
If we have to think about all the season, it is a long history this season because many things happen and we lived a difficult period with a lot of situation, humanly and with many injured players. It was a difficult season but I think also that we fight all season against fate, against all our problems and this is important to grow like a man, like a team. For me the players are continuing to fight to reach the target. This is very important that we believe again, and in ourselves every day and every day in training and in the match.
For the next manager, will the problems be easy to fix?
Sometimes when you go through this season, you can have a period where if you were a bit lucky with more luck, you could do something different. There were some points and some games where we could have reached up and we didn't do this for many reasons but we are continuing to fight. It is very important for me, very important for the team. And the face of the players are strong, not sad, not disappointed and we need to believe.
Newcastle beat you before, do you have to learn from that?
This is a lesson we have to learn like every game we play and we have to go strong on Sunday and try to do our best.
Daniel Levy said Harry Kane should get a statue, has there been any banter about that among the players?
I don't know. I didn't hear this. I don't know about this. I have no answer, but he is our best player so everything can happen and we are happy we have Harry Kane happy.
You said you won't give up on the top four, you've been in this situation before, is that an advantage?
No there's no advantage in this type of game. We have to play the game mentally and both teams are going strong. I don't think during the game when you are into the pitch you think about something mentally like an advantage. You have to play strong, you have to beat your opponent, win the duals and this is the power you have to create into the pitch.
Would your preparation vary depending on Callum Wilson or Isak starting?
Yes, when you play against a team like this you have to prepare well the game because they have a lot of options to use and a lot of good players. You have to take care of many aspects but we are strong enough to be prepared and to play a good match.
There has been criticism aimed at you for not changing enough, what's your reaction to that?
I am the coach and I decide what I think is the best decision for the team. I have a squad not complete because we have many players out so sometimes my decision is a compulsory decision. We follow a process and we want to continue in this way. It is important we believe and I think we are believing.
Clement Lenglet, how is he after needing to come off against Bournemouth?
So and so. We are trying to have Lenglet 100 per cent. He train, he train with us, is not 100 per cent but we are confident Lenglet tomorrow can train for the full session. In this moment it is only a part but from tomorrow we are confident Lenglet is good.
What was his problem?
It was an inflammation under his foot. It is painful, not a problem that can become bigger but we have to manage.
Have you spoken to Davinson Sanchez this week about what happened with the fans?
Yes, Yes I spoke with Patron. We had a good conversation and of course it is tough for a player to come in and then come out of the pitch. It is the type of thing that also happened to me when I was played. It is not the best moment you can live but the type of thing that has to give you a reaction, a good reaction. I asked him to have a good reaction, to train well and to do his best. He is a good guy, he understood the moment during the last game, so he accepted the situation.
Have you seen that before, a player's own fans booing his every touch after a mistake?
No, it's very rare but I think if it happened to some player it's important your reaction to have the fans back with you. I want to help him to have this situation back for him. We have to work together to reach this.
Do think the players are committed to what you're trying to do?
Yes I think so. I think so because I speak with the players every day and I am very open to speak with them. We believe.
How does the mood compare to a year ago when Spurs were in a good moment pushing for the top four?
It is a different period but the motivation is the same. It is up to us to switch this moment and change this reality.
Are you enjoying being the coach?
Yes I am enjoying this of course (laughs). How many people would like to be here. I think it is a dream, so I am enjoying it of course and I'm trying to do my best.
With Davinson Sanchez, would you like the fans to show something extra for him, applause, something to show they do value his effort?
Yeah, I hope this happens because players are before being players, they are men. They need the opportunity to react, the opportunity to do better, the opportunity to do their best. The fans are an important part of this.
How important is this week as a whole with these three games?
It's an important week because after this week we don't have many chances to change. This is a week in which if we want to change something we have to play well and get points.
Does this experience make you want to be a manager in the future?
I think it's an experience that makes me stronger, with more experience. I think I could improve a lot but I don't know what happens in the future. I'm not focused on that. I am focused on improving the team, improve myself and make the best decisions for me and the club. This is my focus.
Who do you report into now Fabio is gone?
Gretar Steinsson, Daniel Levy and Andy [Scoulding], we have people who work around Fabio that now take his responsibility. We have in every department people that can support us.
You were close to Fabio, does his exit have any impact on your position before the end of the season?
It is not a question for me. We are here. I don't think so but it's not a question for me.
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