While Manchester City and Liverpool lead the way in the fight for the Premier League title, Tottenham Hotspur are quite happy to be going about their business in third place.
And Mauricio Pochettino has stated that says Tottenham are "the team to beat" in Premier League title race. Such claims may seem bold but they are the team with the most games against the big six left this season.
In any other season, a record of 16 wins from 21 games may have put them top of the table but such is the intense rivalry between City and Liverpool - as evidenced by last night's thrilling game at the Etihad - Spurs are still third.
Pochettino told reporters this morning that he believed Spurs had become a "target".
“It's true we're the team to beat," said Pochettino. "Remember when we fought with Leicester, everyone wanted to kill us. That's because they showed respect to us because in the project that we are in – because for many people we're not very successful because we still haven't won a trophy – the people respect us in the way we're doing it. It's not being arrogant, it's being realistic.
" 'Oh why are Tottenham there?' A club like Chelsea can spend big money on a transfer and then send him [Christian Pulisic] on loan – do you think Tottenham can do this? No.
“But in the last few years Tottenham is fighting with this type of club. That is why no-one likes Tottenham much, that is why everyone wants to challenge us.
“It's a massive game every time. Wolves beat us and they behaved like they won the Premier League. Then on Wednesday they lost to Crystal Palace.
“It's because Tottenham have created something special in this country and now we are a target. I promise, it's not about being arrogant. That shows the respect the football people have (for us).
“Maybe we're not the good guys, eh? Yes, it's a little bit weird, the perception. It's weird. I don't know why, it's difficult to find the right answer. When we started, it was nice. 'Oh Tottenham, very nice guys'.
When he was asked if Tottenham are paying the price for their success, Pochettino replied: “What is success? We still don't win any trophies! The moment that we win, ok kill us! But now... Maybe if we win something it's a moment to go away!”
#COYS
